Just when comfort really matters, my duvet cover frays. Eight weeks in to shelter-in-place, I am finding shreds on the floor by the bed and poking my toes through linen tatters. Have you also read that sleep is the most important thing you can do to strengthen your immune system?
New bedding it is.
Let me first explain why I will stick with linen. First, the colors of my bedroom are almost completely neutral. And linen adds the texture that saves me from an art gallery look. Second, I find I sleep better on linen, at least linen for pillowcases and duvet cover. (Don’t much like the wrinkles in pillowcases but I have proven again and again that I am too lazy to iron bedding.) But, important note, we have a foam mattress and a roughly-woven linen bottom sheet, on foam, feels too gritty. Something about the way one sinks in.
Anyway. Choosing new linen bedding has been complicated by my experience with the piece I own now. It is beautiful. But I’ve only had it for five years and I didn’t think it should be disintegrating. It’s from Rough Linen, their Orkney line.
I decided to research linen purveyors. Turns out, a definitive answer on linen durability was nowhere to be found. I called a few companies, and the answers of those who responded ranged from, “Five years seems about right, (Coyuchi)” to “If you want your duvet to last longer than five years you should buy our heaviest line, (LIBECO)” to, “All our fabrics have a lifetime guarantee (Brooklinen).”
Yeah.
However, I did make a spreadsheet. (If this is too small to read, it should enlarge if you left-click and then click on View Image.)
One could add Serena & Lily, H&M, Pottery Barn and West Elm to this list, were one so inclined, and in possession of will power and brain cells not yet decimated by Quarantine Brain.
What to do with this information, such as it is? Maybe I’ll decide on a budget, and see who might send me swatches. If no swatches are available, maybe I’ll see who offers reasonable shipping/returns, order a few and keep the one I like most.
Or maybe I’ll simply reorder from Rough Linen. Now that I’ve looked into the, well, supply chain, it seems they offer pretty good value for something that is, as I said, very beautiful.
Comparison shopping in the time of COVID. One can optimize only to a point and only you know what that point is.
Have a wonderful weekend.
No links, so none are monetized. Quarantine Brain just wasn’t up to it today;)
39 Responses
Parachute linen bedding is the best and most comfortable in my opinion. By far.
I use Rough Linen for tablecloths, napkins, etc. but for bedding, too rough.
That’s interesting. I love the Rough Linen roughness on the duvet cover. But for the bottom sheet maybe Parachute, or even Rough Linen’s new “Smooth” line.
I sought 100% cotton sheets and pillowcases for years, and am still not satisfied even though I have found a set that is acceptable, after months of use. Before being washed weekly, they were almost like plastic, and I would have returned them if I hadn’t been so discouraged by having had to return two other sets from two other vendors because they had simply worn out within a couple of months of purchase. I am hoping against hope that now, as these sheets lose their initial weirdness and become more comfortable, they will not disintegrate soon. In contrast, the pillowcases my mother purchased in the 1950s and that have been in regular use are just now beginning to show their age, but I intend to patch them. Best of luck to you in the linen quest!
Thank you! It’s so strange the way many of us remember the sheets of our childhood, or even have them and know it to be a fact, as being quite different from what’s easily available now.
@Marsha, I do wish that we could just buy things identical to the things that turned out to last beautifully (spatulas; sheets; towels; shoes). I have one pair of sheets that is nearing 50 years old (I was given them as hand-me-downs), and they’re more comfortable and durable than anything I’ve bought in the last 20 years, although they are finally wearing through in places. I’d love it if I could just buy more of them! But no…
My linen duvet cover is quarantined at the cleaners. We took it in to be washed right before the lock down since a king is far too big for my washer, and there it is. Probably folded and the creases will never come out after so many weeks. I have my grandmother’s linen monogrammed pillowcases from her wedding in 1915 that I wash by hand. They are so soft now with a few tiny holes, but I treasure them.
I bet your grandmother’s pillowcases are so beautiful and special. I hope your quarantined duvet cover isn’t too lonely at the laundry;).
I am a fan of Parachute linen sheets! That said, I also have Brooklinen percale sheets and are superior to the Parachute percale, so I’d take a chance on Brooklinen linen. I hear you about Quarantine Brain; godspeed making a decision and letting it be.
Thank you for weighing in! I love to hear your experience. It’s so useful.
I just bought linen bedding because all the sets given to us as wedding presents 10 years ago have fallen apart.
My (UK based) recommendations are Toast (not cheap but excellent quality, limited colourways) and John Lewis (much cheaper, great colours, also seems to be good quality). I went John Lewis in dusty pink and got toning Liberty print pillow cases; for the first time since lockdown I am excited for sheet change night.
Funny what it takes to make one leave a comment after many many years of reading with great pleasure! I am so glad you are keeping well in these extraordinary times.
So nice to meet you! Thank you for reading even as we’ve changed topics over the years:). Thanks also for the UK recommendations. I love that you get to look forward to your new bed environment. Exactly what I’m hoping for too.
Your blog is very useful today Lisa. I have been fearful of buying linen for sheets because of the roughness. You are correct in saying it can be expensive. I am thinking Eileen Fisher who I used to love but have given up on when her things became boxy. I sometimes shop on Ruby Lane where I have found very fine antique fabric for my English dollhouse. I wonder about looking at the possibility of something in a wonderful vintage French or English linen. (You may not want to do that for bedding).
We are all now living in a Covid environment and I admit to curtailing my shopping. Good luck with your search and please stay safe and loved.
Luci
LOVE my Parachute linen duvet cover! if you are considering pink, their Blush color is a lovely cool pink.
This is timely as our 30-yr old (!) duvet cover, originally from Eddie Bauer and replaced after one year because of shrinkage in the dryer but the replacement didn’t shrink, is finally beginning to fray. Our sheets are cotton from Nordstrom but I don’t remember the brand or the exact fabric type. They are several years old and still in great shape and feel wonderful – soft and smooth. I need to find a replacement duvet cover and have been thinking of linen. Eager to learn what you decide on.
Funny about mid-length durability – so hard to check and I’d be disappointed in five years too. I love Rough Linen for table linens and some curtains, but found it too rough for sheets. We have a nice linen duvet from Hawkins in a guest room, but don’t wash it often. I love Parachute on our bed, but it’s not very old.
Wirecutter has a comparison chart on this topic and the winning brand was Cultiver. <>
In 2018 (and also since then), I did a lot of research in linen because I had to replace our lines (After our fire) and I wanted to make a wise, durable choice. I searched for eco-friendly options and made in North America options, etc. But after all that, and having never used linen bedding, we just could not bring ourselves to purchase a super expensive set that might not last more than a few years. I read reviews for numerous places with people discouraged at how fast they wore out for the price. So. We got linen duvet covers from Ikea. We got them in November or December 2018, and they are going strong and not showing wear. The price was significantly less than the “higher quality” places. But, I decided to go Ikea quality on this (and on our Ektorp couch too) because I do not want to invest serious money for something that might not last any longer than the Ikea-priced items. The Ikea duvets are rough at forst but soften up with time. At first my boyfriend used a sheet between him and the duvet (I did not), but now he no longer does that.
I also researched antique French linens and thought about being sheets to make into duvets, but with the lack of guarantee on authenticity, it was just too expensive. I will most likely buy linen and sew our next set. We use two twin duvets, like the Scandinavians, so I should be able to buy linen in sizes that should work without a seam in the middle. I’d love to monogram them too with our initials… But that’s a project for the future.
excellent post – thank you. I am fondly eyeing your spreadsheet in that – oh what a perfect way to organize the data – way. I love the idea of linen and purchased a duvet cover for a guest room but then decided to use it – ended up with a fleece blanket inside as anything else was way too warm. I liked how it looked. But reading this I am intrigued. I struggle on the pillowcase front as well. Using old IKEA ones a friend gave me that are the perfect softness but…ALso – someone mentioned dry cleaning – assuming you can wash linen bedding if your machine is big enough?
I have not tried the linen sheets from Cuddledown, but I love their 400 and 500 tc sateen sheets. Durable, soft and affordable, with frequent sales. I am impressed with the quality.
Boy, you sure do your research, Lisa. I am surprised that linen has such a short life. I always thought of it as a quality fabric. However, I no longer buy linen clothing, as beautiful as it is, I find it way too high maintenance.
Have you noticed how much linen lint there is on the dryer lint screen….when drying any linen piece?
I use linen kitchen towels and as time goes by, they do become thinner. But I wouldn’t use anything else.
@Joyce,
but i thought linen shouldn’t be dried in a machine? i always hang dry linen…
I can’t! Pollen….
I love linen bedding. I’ve had silk and cotton bedding and much prefer the linen. My linen bedding is a silver color. I do like the black and petal you show. I’d like one of each. The black would work like a cocoon and the petal like a tropical beach feel. That definitely says something about my “mood swings.” We’ll just chalk this up to the virus!
I’ve been using the linen duvet covers by Eileen Fisher for about 4 years now. We have them on all the beds – each room has a set of two on rotation. They wash and dry beautifully.
Falling apart after 5 years? That’s not a recommendation at all. Living in the muggy Mid-Atlantic where I have A/C running most of the summer I’ve been satisfied with cotton.
I did wonder, since you didn’t like the rough bottom sheet, do you use a sheet of another fabric instead?
I have been very happy with our linen duvet from Restoration Hardware.
Nice post
Much of our Libeco linen bedding has lasted 20+ years with weekly home laundering. A little faded, much softer….good luck with your search!
My linen duvet and pillow shams are from Lands End. They are going on ten years now and are just as beautiful and comfortable as they were when new. Maybe even more so. They have been in almost constant use with regular hot water washings. The quality is amazing though I’m not sure if the quality available now would be the same.
Had to smile at your spreadsheet – that’s exactly what I would do But I’m of no help in your linen quest.
I ONLY USE ROUGH LINEN!!!!
IT LASTS FOR YEARS…………
THE COTTON SHEETS WENT TO THE GOODWILL…………..
THE owner was over for TEA before ALL THIS STARTED………I ADORE HER!
SHE RECENTLY BECAME A WIDOW………and has thrown herself into her work!
She is a small company out of MARIN County and employees women to sew…………..
I cannot say ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT HER!
XX
I have opinions here as I love linen, too. I have had good success with online only https://linenshed.com and they will send you lots of colour swatches. I have a set from them still going strong after 6 years. Also, here in Australia I now buy from bed threads – I do like a linen bottom sheet and their sets are incredible value and so far (3 years) wash very well. I also have a cover and pillow case from Ikea – the ecru one – which washes amazingly and I really like but last year I bought one in a slightly darker shade, sort of wheat, and I had to to give it to Salvos as it was horribly scratchy and did not soften at all with washed – almost like it had a plastic coating so it’s a mixed bag there. Good luck!
I got Rough Linen sheets about 3 years ago when I was going through menopause and plagued by night sweats. Linen sheets were a game changer and a life and sanity saver. I became a believer and an evangelist about the delicious cooling qualities of linen.
I got a duvet and pillow cases from H&M Home and I love them. I use the duvet by itself, without a filler, as a light weight blanket.
I must say, however, that I am disappointed with the longevity of Rough Linen sheets. I have never spent so much for sheets and had them fail so quickly. I have wear areas that have torn my top sheets. I treated these babies like altar linens: washed gently in Dreft and never dried completely… I contacted their customer service and did get a response: a piece of matching linen to patch the sheets with. I have never had a sheet tear from wear in my life, until my beloved, expensive linen.
I am still a linen lover…for better or worse. But I am careful to manage my expectations and price point. If the H&M failed after 3 years I would not question, but at Rough Llinen price…ouch! I think .I’ll stick with the cheaper ones.
A slightly unexpected suggestion: Lands End. The selection and color choices are not large, but there are some neutrals. Ours are holding up very well, and I presume that Lands End would stand behind the product (if still in existence, a gamble with all purveyors in these tough times). And, of course, a 50% off coupon nearly every day.
I highly recommend linen bedding from HAWKINS NEW YORK . It’s thick yet very comfortable, soft to the skin. Love it every day !
My take: If it’s the only cover you’re using, I’m not surprised that it’s fraying after 5 years – there’s a lot of usage, washing and wear and tear for a piece of fabric. And linen tends to break at a seam, fraying away from it.
The seam in the image seems to be a simple seam. Once you get the new duvet, turn it inside out and sew a second seam an eighth to a quarter of an inch in from the first seam to reinforce it. If you have a serger, that would be even stronger.
Vintage or dead-stock is much better than anything made today. 1950s Wamsutta is perfect, I think.
First let me say I am a 100% convert to linen sheets. We’ve worn thin and made holes in two king size Rough Linen sheets. Apparently, given that we wash them weekly over a period of some years (3 or 4), this is to be expected since I sent pics to RL to ask about it. We dry our sheets in the sun making them super crispy and fragrant, so they’ve even escaped dryer damage. Luckily I sew my own clothes, so I’ve made two lovely shirts from one kingsize with enough left for one more. Thanks Lisa for your comparison. In a moment of economy, we bought a set of West Elm linen sheets, but they feel more flimsy.
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