On the recommendation of one of our readers, I decided to petition Santa Claus for a pair of linen sheets. He came through, and ever since, sleep has never been so deep or sweet. For all you who have written it off as too scratchy or stiff, reconsider!
Although I love the look of linen in almost any form, I was a bit skeptical of committing to sleep in it, thinking that it would be too rough long term. However, with a few months of sweet sleep under my belt— and this coming from someone with a baby who still doesn't sleep through the night— I'm a convert. The weightiness and softness is luxurious but not stuffy or stifling. And better yet, it's the first type of bedding that is equally pleasing to both my husband— basically a warm blooded space-heater— and me— someone who is always freezing.
There are countless sources for fabulous linen sheets, and now that I've fallen love, I may be checking out more options in the near future, especially Tricia Rose's Rough Linen which has won the praise of countless Apartment Therapy readers. However, my current set is Restoration Hardware's Stonewashed Belgian Linen, and I will vouch for them. They are a luxury definitely worth the price tag.
If you are looking for other options, or curious about what other readers said in the past, check out these related posts:
• Best Sources for Linen Bedding
• Linen Bedding: Are Wrinkled Sheets Sexy or Messy?
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The best part of linen sheets is that they get softer and more beautiful with use. Just remember - when laundering fine linens (long staple cotton included) don't over dry your items. It is best to stop your dryer and hang dry at the end of the cycle because the warm air quickly breaks down the delicate fibers. This will ensure that your linens stay beautiful for years!
Another great source of beautiful linens in Portland OR:
frenchquarterlinens.com
These people are experts and carry a variety of luxurious brands - plus it's a family business.
I don't think I've ever tried linen sheets. Few months ago, I bought egyptian cotton sheets and I don't know when I'll dare to try something else; it gets softer after each wash as well. Love it!
While I don't have any sheets, I do keep pillow cases and covers at our Summer House (hot on the Gulf of Mexico!). They are fabulous! Eileen Fisher has a wonderful array of scrumptious linen. They only get better with time.
The ONLY thing I miss about my old queen bed is my linen sheets. They were so soft and comfy, I loved sleeping on them in the summer. I got mine from Garnet Hill - they were Italian linen and (even on sale) quite a splurge. Worth every cent though. I need to save up for the king size version.
Love my linen sheets! I bought a set about 12 years ago and they are consistently wonderful-whether it's hot or cold. My husband and I also tend to be much different temps and these have solved a lot of issues. When they come off the bed and I replace them with cotton sheets, I notice how much the linen ones 'breathe' better than the 400tc. cotton.
The first time I experienced linen sheets was when a friend invited us to stay in her Paris apartment. That was dazzling enough, but when we went to bed, there were the linen sheets, with the huge, intricately embroidered monogram on the border. I kept waking up all night just to admire it.
Since then I have collected many French linen pillow cases to bring home -- an easy and unusual gift, by the way -- but so far no sheets. After this reminder -- next time!
It took about a year for our linen sheets to truly achieve the super awesomene softness they now have. They don't have that icy quality that cotton sheets can have when you first hop in bed. I got them because they are supposed to be 'greener' (growing and processing linen vs. cotton) and I'm hoping they last forever.
I have a sheet collection problem, and this Christmas my husband also got me a set of very high end linen sheets. A total splurge. He researched and researched and what were lauded as the best (I won't name the company here) but I have to say, I've never slept worse. I usually sleep like a rock, but was up all night with the sensation of scratchy linen on my body. Tried for several nights and washed them again, to no avail. I love the weight, look, and feel to my hands, but once it became a whole-body experience, it just was not enjoyable. We both decided to try them again in the summer because you can tell they would feel cooler than cotton. I know continued washes will soften them, but put me in the disappointed camp (where I never thought I would be in a million years.)
I just snagged a set of vintage linen sheets & will put them in the wash tomorrow. I can't wait to try them out. They feel great already & appear to have barely ever been used. They were a family set, so no need for anyone to get all grossed out by used linens :)
I liked my linen sheets, but I recently switched to the jersey beech sheets from bed bath and beyond, and wow they are so soft, I might never go back.
I love, love, love linen sheets. I sew my own. I think I prefer the non-softened variety. Linen will soften on it's own through the years, but I really like the natural, organic feeling of the weighty and slightly rough linen. I also use linen towels and napkins.. and I like linen clothing too :)
I've been sleeping on the Restoration Hardware Belgian Linen pillow cases for a few weeks now and I love them! And I only paid $10 a piece at the Outlet Store! I just may need to go back for the sheets since those were only $20.
I just bought the Restoration Hardware sheets and love them. I was getting so frustrated with my expensive, heavy high thread count cotton sheets - they were too hot in summer and just seemed to collect cat hair like a magnet. The linen sheets are not only comfortable, they do not have that problem. I thought the wrinkled nature of linen might bother me, but they actually aren't nearly as bad as I expected. I'm already looking for a second set - I have seen a lot of good reviews of Linoto, but will check out the Rough Linen site as well.
Thank you for your kind words Leah - Rough Linen is a tiny company, so it is a real thrill to know our reputation (all word of mouth) is good. Smooth Linen sheets are woven to my specification to be both more substantial and more affordable than those in even high end chain stores, so I hope you do decide to try them.
Velourcat, do you sew a seem down the middle? If so, any tips or tricks? If not, please share your source for extra-wide linen!
I feel like i'm in the minority, but linen is too rough for me and I've never been able to get them aged to that softness that people talk about. I also find them incredibly warm, too warm for summer (which I thought was the opposite of what they are supposed to be great for!) Give me a nice egyptian cotton percale any day.
@HOME BODY I almost cried the first week I slept on my new linen sheets. They definitely felt rougher and itchier than I had hoped, and I had visions of my money going up in flames. But I stuck with it, and just kept washing them and putting them back on the bed. It took about 2 weeks to break them in fully, but they were AMAZING after that.
*The Best Night's Sleep*
LOVE linen! especially as drapes too.
What is the ironing commitment, if any, with linen sheets?
@robotropolis-- I think it depends on the person. I like the rumpled look--part of linen's appeal--but if i didn't there is no way i'd get linen because ironing would take a lifetime
Recently, I ordered a sheet and pillow slips from Rough Linen. WOW! I am in heaven! I cannot wait to crawl in bed at night. I wake up in the morning caressing them. The first several nights we slept on the pillowcases, I found myself hugging the pillows. I've always adored everything linen, but I was afraid my husband would not like them, but he loves them too! He wants me to order more.
My addiction to vintage linen sheets started the first time I slept on one at a friends house. I only buy ones that are about 40 - 50 years old, this way they are broken in and feel like heaven! I usually get them from either ebay or etsy, I have never paid more than $60 for a sheet. I have been lucky so far, I have never received a "bad" one yet (knock on wood), and if you order from someone in France on ebay, you can get a great quality vintage linen sheet for a great price. Ordering from France can take about a month to receive a package and the shipping can be a little high due to the fact that pure linen sheets can be quite heavy. Still, it beats paying several hundred dollars for a new one and they are already perfectly soft!
I have tried the linen sheets, and we could not get over the texture. They were not exactly scratchy, but they certainly were not ideal. On the recommendation of a friend, We bought some Thomas Lee sheets which we loved and are a nice smooth cotton. However, I still love the look and texture of linen- our duvet covers and pillow shams are still linen, ( at least in the warm months). They really look gorgeous!
Catcala, Are all vintage linens only made as flat sheets? If so, how do you secure the bottom sheet to the bed when it's not fitted?
Sweettea, this is a favorite rant of mine: if you're feeling brave go to http://roughlinen.com/sheets_new.html
Ah, flat sheets vs. fitted sheets. This is a great debate but I think it comes down to personal preference and if you have someone to help you make the bed! I've always preferred using a fitted sheet over 2 flat sheets. Many Linoto customers tend to agree that it's far easier to keep a fitted sheet in place than wrestle with keeping a flat sheet in place. When purchasing a linen sheet set or separates Linoto offers the choice of 2 flat sheets, a 13" standard depth fitted sheet, or an 18" deep pocket fitted sheet. One of these will surely do the trick. A long time ago (before mattress sizes were standardized) flat sheets were used exclusively because they could be used on any size mattress.
http://www.linoto.com/Linoto-com-Linen-Sheet-Set-p/lst.htm
love this set! they are really soft and the price is affordable keeping in mind that it's made from natural linen and can be used for many years.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/107009345/bed-linen-set-100-organic-soft-linen?ref=af_shop_favitem
I bought 100% linen bed sheets from Sofia's Linen , They are absolutely fabulous awesome european quality and the prices are almost too good to be true . I will recomend to anyone who is looking for pure linen bedding. Their website is : www.sofiaslinen.com