Frustration buying bed linens

I'm incredulous. And peeved. 

I have a relatively new queen mattress. When buying a queen sheet set, the fitted sheets are deep enough to fit the deeper, higher mattresses that are popular today. But the flat sheets are not big enough to tuck under the mattress. They're not wide enough to tuck in at all.  In order to tuck a top, flat sheet, I've had to buy matching king flat sheets. And toss aside the flat sheets that came with the set. Why is this?  Does no one tuck the top sheet under the mattress anymore? Am I crazy? Does anyone else have this same frustration? 

Queen size sheets can come in different sizes.  Some queen size mattresses are extra long (California) size and require California-size sheets.  Others may be designed for a thinner or thicker mattress.  What did it say on the queen size sheet set you bought regarding measurements of the flat sheet in the set? Did you look to see if other sets were longer or wider (depending on where you need the extra fabric)?

joan_crystal said:

Queen size sheets can come in different sizes.  Some queen size mattresses are extra long (California) size and require California-size sheets.  Others may be designed for a thinner or thicker mattress.  What did it say on the queen size sheet set you bought regarding measurements of the flat sheet in the set? Did you look to see if other sets were longer or wider (depending on where you need the extra fabric)?

Hi, Joan,

I've bought queen sets from a few vendors (Amazon, BB&B, Company Store, Macys) and the flat sheets from every one of them are too narrow to tuck under the mattress.  I don't think one can shop for a larger queen-size flat sheet, if that's what you're suggesting. 

The_Soulful_Mr_T said:

joan_crystal said:

Queen size sheets can come in different sizes.  Some queen size mattresses are extra long (California) size and require California-size sheets.  Others may be designed for a thinner or thicker mattress.  What did it say on the queen size sheet set you bought regarding measurements of the flat sheet in the set? Did you look to see if other sets were longer or wider (depending on where you need the extra fabric)?

Hi, Joan,

I've bought queen sets from a few vendors (Amazon, BB&B, Company Store, Macys) and the flat sheets from every one of them are too narrow to tuck under the mattress.  I don't think one can shop for a larger queen-size flat sheet, if that's what you're suggesting. 

I have bought relatively inexpensive and relatively expensive queen sized sheets and this is the case for newer queen mattresses--they aren't long enough to tuck in the sides. You can buy separates which might solve your problem, but king is so wide compared to the queen, the sheet will be practically dragging on the floor before you tuck it in.

This isn't just a problem with queen sheets. Full and twin flat sheets have also gotten smaller. They're long enough, but not wide enough to tuck in. Shrinkflation?

KarenMarlowe said:

The_Soulful_Mr_T said:

joan_crystal said:

Queen size sheets can come in different sizes.  Some queen size mattresses are extra long (California) size and require California-size sheets.  Others may be designed for a thinner or thicker mattress.  What did it say on the queen size sheet set you bought regarding measurements of the flat sheet in the set? Did you look to see if other sets were longer or wider (depending on where you need the extra fabric)?

Hi, Joan,

I've bought queen sets from a few vendors (Amazon, BB&B, Company Store, Macys) and the flat sheets from every one of them are too narrow to tuck under the mattress.  I don't think one can shop for a larger queen-size flat sheet, if that's what you're suggesting. 

I have bought relatively inexpensive and relatively expensive queen sized sheets and this is the case for newer queen mattresses--they aren't long enough to tuck in the sides. You can buy separates which might solve your problem, but king is so wide compared to the queen, the sheet will be practically dragging on the floor before you tuck it in.

I like the deep overhang. I like to tuck all that extra sheet in and get the cocoon effect. 

you should be able to buy separate flat and fitted sheets...although harder find might have limits and have to take when you can get, not necessarily something that you like the look of.  i purposely got an old style mattress a few years ago, I am disabled and can't get on to the huge mattresses....Jembro on Morris Ave in Union has them....the quality is similar to the old sear mattress I had (which was the 2nd cheapest at the time).

jmitw said:

you should be able to buy separate flat and fitted sheets...although harder find might have limits and have to take when you can get, not necessarily something that you like the look of.  i purposely got an old style mattress a few years ago, I am disabled and can't get on to the huge mattresses....Jembro on Morris Ave in Union has them....the quality is similar to the old sear mattress I had (which was the 2nd cheapest at the time).

Yeah, I hear ya; I bought a hybrid foam/spring mattress about 5 years ago, and between the number of sink holes that have developed, and the fact that it’s so heavy you practically need a forklift in order to tuck in the sheets, I will be going back to traditional mattresses in the future.

I’ve bought separates for years, Queen fitted and King flat. I recently got a California king flat (what was available in the same color as the fitted) and it wa PERFECT. CK are narrower than K but also longer, so they easily tuck in to the bottom and overhang the sides nicely but not too much.

Good luck!