How to Fold a Fitted Sheet 101
I don’t know about you, but I dread folding fitted sheets. I’ve tried a few dozen folding techniques, but no matter what, the sheet always ends up looking more like a ball and less like a flat square.
As I was poking around online this weekend I found the answer to all of my sheet-folding problems courtesy of author and Self magazine writer Erin Bried. She is the author of How to Sew a Button, which is scheduled to be released on December 15 (stocking stuffer…for me…ahem).
Not only are the step-by-step directions simple enough for me to understand, but the video demonstration had me giggling right along with Erin. And as an added bonus, the linen closet of yours truly is bound to be much more organized than ever before.
Admittedly I needed to watch the tutorial twice before I got it (I think I was distracted by Erin’s amazing headboard the first time). But, to prove to you all that I can do it, here is a freshly-folded fitted sheet eagerly awaiting its spot in the closet.
Now, if only I could get rid of those wrinkles…
So, do tell. Is this tutorial helpful for you, or are you already a sheet-folding master?
Erin!
This is my first trip to your blog and I LOVE it! I was incredibly curious about the sheet folding video, having been the beneficiary (victim?!) of a mom who insisted on having everything folded neatly. I had to find out whether the fitted sheet technique employed by Erin Bried, was the same technique taught to me by my mother (probably before you were born!) many years ago.
Guess what?! It’s the same technique, which means I don’t have to learn something new! Looking forward to seeing you next week and hope that all is going well in the City of Brotherly Love.
Hugs,
LuAnn
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Erin Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:42 am
LuAnn!
Thank you for stopping by! Why does it not surprise me that you are a sheet folding expert!?! I have so much that I could learn from you…
Shannon and Ashley,
I am so glad you girls are with me on this one. I hope you feel as accomplished as I did when you fold your first sheet!
- e
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YES! I need this desperately! I have to wait til I get home from work to watch the video…is it sad that I can’t wait? Sheet folding! Oh the excitement!
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Thanks for sharing this. I usually wad mine up into a wrinkly ball.
And I LOVE that headboard in the video. Very cool.
<3 Ashley M.
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Erin,
Haven’t watched the video yet but will after this post!! I iron all my bedding – love nothing more than clean, ironed duvet and sheets on the bed. I usually just grab the sheet by the corners, sort of fold it in half, iron that half, fold it again and then iron that. It’s not perfect but it’s okay.
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just watched the video – that was really informative and funny and I kind-of do it this way as well only I don’t lay it on the bed but just grab it all, give it a final iron and put away in linen box.
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Erin Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Janis,
I am so impressed that you iron your sheets! Perhaps someday I will be so motivated!
- e
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So awesome! Love this! Love this! I am totally going up to sort out my linen closet now… It’s a disaster, since I was previously a fan of the wad-in-a-ball folding technique!
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I love the video! I’ve actually been folding my fitted sheets like this since high school. My best friend taught me this technique and I too love that they look pretty stacked in the linen closet.
So glad you’ve learned this trick! Enjoy folding.
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Oh, neat. My first couple steps were the same, but I like the way she finishes it off better than the way I usually do it. Also, if I’d known that people didn’t know how to fold fitted sheets, I could have been on Youtube a long time ago!
That headboard is AMAZING. Looks like something you’d see at Urban Outfitters.
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Erin is so cute and funny. Her laugh makes me laugh. The two of you most definitely have to meet. Two cute Erins would be great together.
As with LuAnn, I have folded my fitted sheets like this forever, having been instructed by my Mom. It must be a generational thing, and you know LuAnn and I are on the “older” side.
One thing I would add to this procedure is a spritz of lavender water as you are folding in the last step. Makes for an ever so lovely smelling sheet as you snap open the sheet when making the bed the next time. You can make lavender water very easily.
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This beats the heck out of the two-person method that the Mister tortures me with (I usually fold them like her first example…!). Thanks for the linkety-link!
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Hey, Erin! I love your blog and your great pics! Happy Anniversary
Erin’s method is the same one that my grandmother taught me many years ago, mostly. I always folded it in half, instead of thirds, so that may explain why mine never looked as smooth and finished as Erin’s does. I’ll definitely do it her way from now on! Thanks for the great tips!
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Erin Reply:
January 10th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Holly,
Aw, thanks so much for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed Erin’s tips as much as I did!
- e
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That was “neat!”
Thanks for sharing!!!
Check out my tips including how to get pen off and couch!
http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/2010/01/different-way-to-clean.html
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My mom taught me this tip when I went away to college, but she went 2 steps further. She would fold the flat sheet, but would stop one fold short, so that it was long. Next, she would fold the fitted sheet like you demonstrated and placed it on one end of the flat sheet. Then she would fold the pillow case and lay that on the fitted sheet, then take the other end of the flat sheet and fold it over, creating a neat little package. She always said this way the set stays together and stacks neatly on the shelves.
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Erin Reply:
January 19th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Hi Diane,
Thanks so much for chiming in! I love the idea of a whole sheet set in one nice package! Thanks for stopping by and reading.
- e
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LOVE THIS! I took all of my sheets out of the linen closet and refolded them, once everything is all folded i save one pillow case and tuck the top sheet, fitted sheet and remaining pillow case inside so everything stays together. I wish I could take credit for this but I think I learned it from Martha Stuart or someone like that!
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Erin Reply:
August 22nd, 2011 at 7:29 pm
So smart on the pillow case solution!!
xo,
- e
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