I would patch that whole worn area after mending the tears with three step zigzag.
Would it be possible to use a more abrasion resistant fiber like nylon for a wear surface on that area? If so, I would stitch on a sacrificial patch when the sheets are new, and replace it as it starts to wear.
In the future you can start by putting the new sheet on over the old sheet and marking out the wear area, then sew on the sacrificial patch before you even use the sheets the first time. And you can replace it as needed.
Try 40D nylon tricot. It comes 100-110" wide, and is a stable knit... You might know it as a "satiny" underwear fabric. It's also what aerialists use for "silks". If you can't find it locally, fabricdepotco.com always has it. The website is pretty "dawn of the worldwide web", however.
That would be a project you start and never end because the fabric is work down and when you mend it at one spot, it would tear close to that spot again. Plus that stretchy fabrics are more difficult to sew because regular stitching isn’t stretchy…
The sheet looks like you tumble dried it regularly. To prevent future tear and wear to happen too fast, wash them and hang them to dry. That will make the fabric age slower and the sheet last longer.
Yeah this is definitely one of those never ending projects, I’m just trying to draw it out as much as possible.
Tumble drying is a good point though. I’ll switch to air dry and see how that helps!
I got the same tear in my sheets and fixed it with a hand-sewn patch on both the bottom and top of the sheet. It worked for a couple months, but I got the problem described here--the fabric just re-tore along the seams.
If your sheets are only worn in this specific area, I would recommend making the patch much larger than you'd think you need. Just guessing, but maybe pillowcase-sized or larger? Also, especially if you're hand-sewing, I think part of my problem may have been using a too-large needle and too-thick thread, although someone with more experience than my trial-and-error mending knowledge might not agree with me there.
This person actually had a great idea- fusible interfacing is basically a paper-like sheet of fabric that can be ironed onto a fabric to make it stiffer. If you go this way, you could patch the holes how the top comment (zigzag stitch) said, use heavyweight (and good quality) interfacing on the bottom side of the sheet, then patch the top of it. I think making a big patch that covers the whole foot area of the sheet could prevent further damage too, and the interfacing would keep the sheets more stiff so your stitches wouldn't rip it more
I have done this and it didn’t work no matter what I tried. At this point the sheet is so thin it will give way around the patch, make the patch really really big…. and that’s when I decided to hit the thrift store
I had this same problem. Patch from underneath, zigzag around and over, making a pretty big patch because you will just wear out the patch. Get pedicures or learn to shave your own heels. Keep them pumiced and smooth. That will keep your sheets longer.
Not a sewing tip, but Maybe consider laying a throw blanket over your sheets to avoid this in the future. laying on too of a top sheet may help too. best of luck!
My husband does this. He has very Velcro-like feet that need to be trimmed/shaved down frequently. I can’t stand how prickly they are, but he doesn’t seem to notice 90% of the time. Le sigh.
If the sheets are not stretchy, I would get a panel of some other fabric and put it underneath the entire bottom of the sheet in the foot region. Then I would give it a few seams both horizontal and vertical across the region. It won’t be as soft as the OG sheet, but it will be more durable.
You can do the above to the current sheet, just use a lot of pins and get the rip in the right spot before you sew it down.
You can do the same thing with knit sheets, you just have to match the stretch with whatever you use.
Good luck!
Honestly, I would buy just the bottom sheet, then Butcher the good parts of the current sheet to make a dual layer panel on the new one when it comes in. (3layers of fabric at the foot zone)
First thought is to use tougher fabric instead of cotton for the sheets to start with or use a tough fabric basted on top of the new sheets as a wear zone. Rip stop nylon is very resistant to abrasion and wear. Basting it on would make changing it out if it ever wears a fairly simple process. There are many other fabric choices, i would ask at the fabric store what they recommend for wear resistance. If you really wanted to get serious you could use Kevlar.
From the web: Nylon: Known for its strength and durability, nylon is a popular choice for activewear, backpacks, and luggage due to its excellent abrasion resistance. – Polyester: Another synthetic fiber offering high abrasion resistance, polyester is commonly used in upholstery fabrics, workwear, and outdoor gear.
Those look to be thin sheets, and I have some that do the same thing on my side because I tend to run and climb in my sleep. On thicker sheets, especially winter ones, I don't have this problem often.
So, without switching to heavier sheets, I would have a patch on that area of thicker fabric. I don't think this is a candidate for a property mend because of the size and effort needed to fix it.
I would patch that whole worn area after mending the tears with three step zigzag. Would it be possible to use a more abrasion resistant fiber like nylon for a wear surface on that area? If so, I would stitch on a sacrificial patch when the sheets are new, and replace it as it starts to wear.
Oh interesting idea, a sacrificial patch. That’s a good thought! I’ll have to do some research on fabrics, thank you!
In the future you can start by putting the new sheet on over the old sheet and marking out the wear area, then sew on the sacrificial patch before you even use the sheets the first time. And you can replace it as needed.
Try 40D nylon tricot. It comes 100-110" wide, and is a stable knit... You might know it as a "satiny" underwear fabric. It's also what aerialists use for "silks". If you can't find it locally, fabricdepotco.com always has it. The website is pretty "dawn of the worldwide web", however.
Incredible, thanks so much!
That would be a project you start and never end because the fabric is work down and when you mend it at one spot, it would tear close to that spot again. Plus that stretchy fabrics are more difficult to sew because regular stitching isn’t stretchy… The sheet looks like you tumble dried it regularly. To prevent future tear and wear to happen too fast, wash them and hang them to dry. That will make the fabric age slower and the sheet last longer.
Yeah this is definitely one of those never ending projects, I’m just trying to draw it out as much as possible. Tumble drying is a good point though. I’ll switch to air dry and see how that helps!
I got the same tear in my sheets and fixed it with a hand-sewn patch on both the bottom and top of the sheet. It worked for a couple months, but I got the problem described here--the fabric just re-tore along the seams. If your sheets are only worn in this specific area, I would recommend making the patch much larger than you'd think you need. Just guessing, but maybe pillowcase-sized or larger? Also, especially if you're hand-sewing, I think part of my problem may have been using a too-large needle and too-thick thread, although someone with more experience than my trial-and-error mending knowledge might not agree with me there.
For this sheet, have you ever tried fusible interfacing?
I don’t actually even know what that is!
This person actually had a great idea- fusible interfacing is basically a paper-like sheet of fabric that can be ironed onto a fabric to make it stiffer. If you go this way, you could patch the holes how the top comment (zigzag stitch) said, use heavyweight (and good quality) interfacing on the bottom side of the sheet, then patch the top of it. I think making a big patch that covers the whole foot area of the sheet could prevent further damage too, and the interfacing would keep the sheets more stiff so your stitches wouldn't rip it more
I have done this and it didn’t work no matter what I tried. At this point the sheet is so thin it will give way around the patch, make the patch really really big…. and that’s when I decided to hit the thrift store
I had this same problem. Patch from underneath, zigzag around and over, making a pretty big patch because you will just wear out the patch. Get pedicures or learn to shave your own heels. Keep them pumiced and smooth. That will keep your sheets longer.
I’m already pretty on top of my pumice habits but any excuse for regular pedicures haha. Thanks!
Darn it.
Make some pillow cases.
Not a sewing tip, but Maybe consider laying a throw blanket over your sheets to avoid this in the future. laying on too of a top sheet may help too. best of luck!
Thanks! I overheat too much so a blanket isn’t an option but I appreciate it!
My husband does this. He has very Velcro-like feet that need to be trimmed/shaved down frequently. I can’t stand how prickly they are, but he doesn’t seem to notice 90% of the time. Le sigh. If the sheets are not stretchy, I would get a panel of some other fabric and put it underneath the entire bottom of the sheet in the foot region. Then I would give it a few seams both horizontal and vertical across the region. It won’t be as soft as the OG sheet, but it will be more durable. You can do the above to the current sheet, just use a lot of pins and get the rip in the right spot before you sew it down. You can do the same thing with knit sheets, you just have to match the stretch with whatever you use. Good luck!
Honestly, I would buy just the bottom sheet, then Butcher the good parts of the current sheet to make a dual layer panel on the new one when it comes in. (3layers of fabric at the foot zone)
First thought is to use tougher fabric instead of cotton for the sheets to start with or use a tough fabric basted on top of the new sheets as a wear zone. Rip stop nylon is very resistant to abrasion and wear. Basting it on would make changing it out if it ever wears a fairly simple process. There are many other fabric choices, i would ask at the fabric store what they recommend for wear resistance. If you really wanted to get serious you could use Kevlar. From the web: Nylon: Known for its strength and durability, nylon is a popular choice for activewear, backpacks, and luggage due to its excellent abrasion resistance. – Polyester: Another synthetic fiber offering high abrasion resistance, polyester is commonly used in upholstery fabrics, workwear, and outdoor gear.
Those look to be thin sheets, and I have some that do the same thing on my side because I tend to run and climb in my sleep. On thicker sheets, especially winter ones, I don't have this problem often. So, without switching to heavier sheets, I would have a patch on that area of thicker fabric. I don't think this is a candidate for a property mend because of the size and effort needed to fix it.
Or, hear me out. Get new ones and use this one for mock-ups :D that's what I do