Sunday, October 17, 2010

100% Cotton or Plastic?


Do you remember my previous blog post regarding my order of bedsheets from QVC?  I posted it on September 5th and titled it "On the Air with QVC."  If you haven't read it, you can find it in my blog archives at the left side of my blog page.  The bedsheets arrived a few weeks ago and here they are.  I opted to use our bear as a model rather than draping myself across the bed as originally promised.  (I'm a big talker).   

I've never had designer sheets before; can you imagine that!  (We're so backward regarding the current trends).  The first night we used them, I was tempted to stay awake all night just admiring the fine signature embroidery and bold label.  Unfortunately, another feature grabbed my attention.  Scroll down for "the rest of the story."   

Lon and I put the sheets on the bed as a couple, working together.  It's king-size so I always fetch him when it's sheet changing time.  I don't wash clothing or sheets before I use them so we opened the package and proceeded with the task at hand.  To our amazement, the sheets felt and looked like plastic.  I checked the tag.  It said 100% cotton.  Honestly, the finish and feel of them was exactly like the flannel-backed, plastic tablecloth we use on our picnic table when we're camping!  I appreciate a nice crisp feel to new sheets, but this was WAY beyond that.  The top of our mattress is 36 inches from the floor.  It crossed my mind that by going to bed between these sheets, I was taking quite a risk.  If I slipped out of bed, I'd have a rude awakening and possibly a broken bone.    

Here you can see the sheet peeking from under the blankets and comforter.  We really like the colors in the sheets and the cheerful pattern so we decided to give them a try.  I know QVC will take them back if we should decide we don't like them.  I expect that after they're washed, they'll lose that plastic feeling, although we've actually become accustomed to them, believe it or not.  As long as I stay away from the edge of the mattress, I feel safe sleeping on this slick as ice surface. 


Our bed looks quite normal when it's made.  It's only when we pull the top layers back and actually feel the sheets on our skin that we wonder if we're sleeping on fabric or plastic.  In the grocery store, I'm asked if I prefer paper or plastic.  The QVC representative didn't offer me a choice when I placed this order.  
 Perhaps I wasn't paying close attention to the product description when these sheets were presented on QVC.  Maybe these Liz Claiborne sheets are designed specifically for easy clean up for consumers who like to EAT in bed.  Or for couples who long for that oh-so-desirable wrapped in plastic freshness upon arising in the morning.  What do you think?

19 comments:

Jana said...

I love the colors and design but, I'm going to be so disappointed if they don't soften up after you wash them. Having a picnic in bed is now an option though.

Gullible said...

What the heck. If they don't soften after washing, you have enough material for three or four tablecloths.

Natasha said...

What I think is that you are hysterically funny! I'm snorting into my coffee now.

But if you can still slide out of bed because of the slickness after washing them once, I'd send them back.

Or, with your luck, wait until QVC sends you a whole case of sheets because you advertised them on your blog!

Anonymous said...

OMG, LOL!!! I am literally laughing, not giggling, out loud!! It's not funny. It's hilarious! I'm sorry honey, but it's the way you tell the story!

The bed looks great, and I love the decor! Here's to hoping they soften up in the wash. omg!

Cheryl Peters said...

NATASHA AND SARIE: I'm so glad you got a laugh out of this post. That was my intention as I was writing.

I often wonder by the comments that I get whether readers know that I'm trying to entertain by my narrative.

It's obvious that you understood! Do you have any tips to help me make it clear that I'm meaning to be humorous?

Thanks much!

Anonymous said...

Nah, you're doing just fine. The old "show don't tell" works great here. Your sense of humor is just perfect the way it is, and I wouldn't want you to have to explain that you're being funny to your readers. That'll take away from the humor. This post is perfect! As for your readers I'm sure they'll get it, and if they don't, well, um.....(i know you know what i'm thinking here dear :) Keep doing what you're doing Shaddy, it's terrific, right readers?
Personally I love when you show your sense of humor like you've done in this post....

Anonymous said...

Beautiful sheets! I love clean sheets on my bed. I always wait until Sunday. That way while I lament the end of my weekend, I can look forward to crisp, clean sheets on my bed.

Anonymous said...

If you and Lon decide not to keep them, maybe Buck and I should buy them from you. Would you spill some chocolate ice cream on them and see if it wipes off easily? Not that "I" would ever eat chocolate ice cream in bed, but I know someone who does!

Your comforter and all the trimmings are great-looking.

Cheryl Peters said...

DAYNER: Thanks! The colors and pattern are quite striking for sure.

ELIZABETH: You're not going to believe this! I just HAD to prove that the finish I've written about REALLY is like plastic. After reading your comment, I went to the refrigerator. I don't have any chocolate ice cream so I opted to experiment with ketchup. I squeezed some ketchup on my finger and then spread it on the bottom sheet. I even lightly rubbed over the spill with my finger. A few seconds later, I wiped it all completely off with a dishcloth. I kid you not--the ketchup didn't absorb into the fabric at all.

Is that hilarious or what! For Buck's birthday, order QVC's Liz Claiborne Acorn Gingham sheets and he can eat and spill chocolate ice cream all night long (at least until they're washed)!

Walk said...

If you have plastic on your bed sheets, what's your couch covered with?

The ketchup test is a hoot....

I guess plastic sheets may become valuable as I get older and I won't have to depend on my Depends so much.

Cheryl Peters said...

WALK: Our couches manage just fine without any covering other than the material they were originally upholstered with. If spilled on, they'd suffer greatly compared to our sheets!

Anonymous said...

LMAO!!!!!! Ketchup?!!!! OMG, this is hilarious. Shaddy, you crack me UP! I would never have thought about the benefits of plastic sheets until now. This makes me want to march over to QVC.com and get some of these amazing sheets! LOL!!!!

Cheryl Peters said...

SARIE: I innocently ordered new bedsheets and look what's happened!! Lots of laughs is better than crying. Actually, crying over spilt milk isn't even an option at our house anymore, not in bed, that is.

Anonymous said...

LOL!! Well that's good - about the spilled milk in bed.

I know! You've started a plastic sheets movement!! We could use them here. Chuck. LOL!

Anonymous said...

On the bright side (not the sheet pattern, but the irony thing) at least you didn't get free bedbugs too. I guess they don't like the new cottonplastic fiber.

I love the colors though, too bad they are a bit waterproof. Hey, maybe this would be a good time to ask Lon for a rub down with some massage oil... Eek! I sound like Walk.

Cheryl Peters said...

SARIE: It's definitely going to be interesting to see what happens when the sheets are washed. After all the fun we've been having, I and my readers will probably be GREATLY DISAPPOINTED if they're soft and clothlike when I pull them from the dryer.

Maybe instead of using the washer and dryer, I'll hang them up outside, pull the hose out and blast the sheets with cold water. A few minutes of air-drying and they'll be ready for the bed again!

DARKSCULPTURES: You're so right. These sheets can easily endure an oil spill. Great idea!!

Anonymous said...

I can see you now, on late night TV, touting the benefits of plastic sheets. Just be sure you cut a good deal on commissions!

The "ketchup test" could be part of your first ad. . . "But wait! There's more!!"

Annie said...

This one definitely made me laugh!!! Oh my gosh!!! Hope you have NOT done any slipping and sliding out of your bed!
Annie

Linda McMann said...

With my nightly hot flashes (sorry, may be tmi), I WOULD slide right out of bed on plastic sheets! The sheets look lovely, but don't sound like a good match for me at this time in my life!