bed linen, lets try again

[muddleduck]

I started a thread a few days ago asking if anyone had seen any nice low-maintenance bed linen.

All I got was people telling me not to iron my bedlinen.

Please can you point me to some lovely sets. I have no intention of ironing them but want something nice.

thanks.

I love the basic JL polycotton percale in plain colours

doesn't need ironing and gets smoother the more you wash it, unlike cotton which bobbles

we are still using our moving-in-together set tumpty-tum years later

You could try some waffle bedlinen. I have some from the White Company, they also do a seersucker one which doesn't need ironing. Also just bought a fab waffle single from BHS, £25, double layered, but haven't washed it yet so not sure about the ironing. They are on the BHS web site - free delivery. Loads cheaper than White Company, and seems just as nice.

I find that a small pattern works better than plain on bed linen I don't iron.

And I would never buy anything other than 100% cotton bed linen. I hate the feel of synthetic.

I bought

this from Habitat

this week, washed it first, it's divine

We've found that the way to go is to buy expensive, but not plain bedlinen. After a disappointing run-in with Dorma, we now only buy Sheridan bedding. Debenhams on Oxford Street sell it, but not sure where else. But it is gorgeous quality. We have something like the one here, but in dusty blue/brown and it is gorgeous. I do iron the pillowcases occasionally if I want them to feel really nice.

MrsBadger, you have given me a lightbulb moment! I always wondered why some of bedding got bobbly and some didn't. It's the cotton stuff that goes bobbly. Of course!

What about some polycotton bed linen. I think pure white always looks really smart (clean and fresh) - with a coloured throw and cushions to co-ordinate with the rest of your room, hotel-style!! I am a bit of fan of plain white, but must admit I prefer pure cotton, even though it is a hassle to iron.

Or, if you want a bit of colour and along the lines of Bonsoirs suggestion of having a small pattern...what about gingham bedding. There's a whole load of colours to choose from here.

Asda used to do some lovely jersey bedding that didnt need ironing. Dont know if they still do it though.

Bonsoir, I used to only buy 100% cotton (my mum always did so I thought it was the norm), but now I like to have polycotton in the summer as I find it feels cooler.

It is only poor quality cotton bed linen that goes bobbly IME. I have some cotton sets which I have had for 10+ years and they are beautiful and smooth.

IsItMe - our current bedlinen is Dorma and we have been very disappointed with it. Aftere 3 years use the two sets we rotate are both worse for wear and need replacing. Infact we are off to John Lewis tomorrow to choose some - I have never been let down with the quality of their bedding etc.

Sheridan I have seen in House of Fraser, certainly at the one in Reading.

Muddleduck - I think the most important thing is to make sure that what you buy is properly made - ie. flat and straight seams so that it folds well and lies flat once washed. As I said above I always find JL good quality, I've just bought some new for our spare room and only had to brush an iron over the pillowcases, the covers didn't need ironing - and it was my MIL that slept in them first so I had an eagle eye!

The one I was thinking of that went bobbly was a cheapo one Lesson learnt there. No more supermarket bought bedlinen for me.

100% here too can't sleep in anything else

Alibabaandthe40nappies had some JL white damask style bedding (not cheap) for all our spare bedding and in the end sent it to the charity shop as it was such a pain to iron and looked rubbish if you didn't.

IsItMe - I've had damask stuff in the past, MIL bought us a set from BHS I think when we moved in together. It was a total PITA for ironing - we were using it on the spare bed and have just replaced it!

Thank you ladies.
You are so helpful.

I still haven't found anything that ticks all the boxes, but I'm getting there.

I work near a Habitat and a Heals so maybe I'll go there one lunch time and inspect their seams

((chants Sheridan Sheridan Sheridan))

ok IsItMeOr I hear you.

Find me some nice (not white) ones online and I'll buy them

Yeah, their designs aren't quite as bold as when we bought ours a couple of years back, so I feel your pain. What about this one or this one?

I like laura ashley bedlinen, they always reduce to sensible prices in the sales and its lasts forever....I wouldn't buy it full price though. TK Maxx is always worth a rummage for bed linen too.

The more expensive ikea stuff is nice too, their cheap stuff doesn't wear well.

Muji do lovely plain bed linen- we have had our sets for about 10 years, and they wash and dry well, and look nice even when not ironed (ie all the time ).

IsIsMe - I love the second one, but then my bedroom will completely match my living room!

thanks for the extra suggestions

I'm currently looking too. I think the second one looks lovely, but I'm not sure I can bring msyelf to spend £95 on a duvet cover, even if it is reduced from £136

I have this and it's beautiful. Bit lumpy after washing and not ironing, but ok! No idea how well it lasts as we've only had it a month

This one?

Successful misson today, I bought

this one

It's not a good picture, the colours are not quite so bold IRL.

I like it.
but How do you manage with children and white bedding? I'm guessing you don't let them eat breakfast in your bed at the weekend