How to Fold a Fitted Sheet
Finally … by popular demand, I have for you how to fold a fitted sheet. You see … I’ve been putting it off. Why? Because it’s kind of hard to translate on video without an entire video crew, several cameras and a jug of Creme de Menthe.
I believe I have captured the gist of it for you. Observe … How to Fold a Fitted Sheet.
O.K. Yes. I now realize after watching the video a few times that for the majority of it, you can’t actually see me fold a fitted sheet. Which as far as how-to videos go, is pretty stupid. But, I think you got the important parts.
So, to recap, basically all you’re doing is pinching the tips of all 4 corners of the sheet and allowing the excess fabric to fold inward. This creates a perfect rectangle. Like so …
I’ve taken the liberty of including this photograph to help compensate for my sucky video where you can’t actually see me fold much of the sheet.
Then all you have to do is fold it up like a regular sheet. You know, fold it over until the edges meet, repeat, repeat. Maybe even repeat again. Smooth it out with your hands and glance at it lovingly. Walk it upstairs with the reverence you’d use for carrying your country’s flag. Then … let it sit in on your dresser for an hour or two until you change the sheets, unfold all of your hard work and get em wrinkly again.
Personally, with all the hard work this folding business involves I’m beginning to think all linen closets should have glass doors with pot lights inside.
There’s another way to deal with fitted sheets. Which I’m going to tell you about in the near future. So go have a glass of Creme De Menthe and I’ll see you here tomorrow.
Robyn
When I au-paired in Paris years ago, my French “mom” taught me how to fold a fitted sheet and 20 years later I still do it the same way. It’s slightly different to the way you do but with the same results and without spreading the whole sheet on the floor.
my honest answer
I also do similarly, but different. I put my hand up in one corner, and then ‘hook’ the other corner over that hand, inside out. That way you’ve got the first fold done already, and you don’t need to spread it out on the floor. Is that how the French do it? I’m so European.
Shauna
That’s exactly how I do it too and I teach anyone who is willing to help me fold my sheets;)
Alissa
Same here! Fingers in corners then flipping them into each other, same with the other two, then flipping the pairs together.
Though actually I think Karen’s first method (at 0:20) is the easiest. :)
Laura Skinner
Yep ladies, that’s how I do it too! No floor needed. :)
Annie
I was so excited to find a better way! I do it like you guys, and it seems to be easier than Karen made it look.
(Karen! It’s ok! I love you and think your sheet looks beautiful!)
SK Farm Girl
Let me start by complimenting your front door – beautiful!!! And that top you’re wearing – too cute!! Is that a real Hudson’s Bay blanket in the corner there? Now back to the video just viewed – LMAO!!!! You kill me woman, you are so funny! Loved the special guest appearance by Casper, the friendly ghost. I am going upstairs to “unfold” my fitted sheets, just to refold them – your way! What, with taking the Christmas pledge with you I have all this spare time on my hands!
Karen
Farm Girl – Hah! Thanks. I like my front door too. And the top is the one I ruined a year ago. See here. (it’s still wearable). And yes, that’s a real Hudson’s Bay blanket in the corner. My niece bought it for me for Christmas 2 years ago. I love it. It comes out in the winter. I’ll update my pledge progress on Friday. ~ karen!
Kate S
I totally recognized that as the “machinewash your silk shirts” shirt!
Also I think you knocked over your gold artichokes…
Karen
Kate S- Hah!!! I *totally* knocked over my gold artichoke!! I even lowered the sound on that little bit so you couldn’t hear it go “clunk”. The sound of it took away from my dramatic exit. ~ karen!
Sandy
Hahaha!! I love it. I know how to do it in theory but I get bored part way through the folding and mine resembles the folded ball you produced first. I just live with it now. :)
itchbay
Huh. Interesting. I put my fingers inside the corners and fold the sheet so that the corners all stack up on my fingers, then just fold it over where it naturally wants to, and then once more.
Rebecca
Okay, that’s exactly how I used to fold fitted sheets. And you know what? It’s a pain in the a** and I quit trying. It was my new year’s resolution a couple years ago. It feels so good to just roughly fold it up and laugh in the face of neatness every time I do it!
Marti
These instructional videos on life’s little questions are so wonderfully helpful. Thanks as ever, Karen!
When is the video on folding flat sheets? That’s the one I want to see. Will the sheet be on or off screen when you do that one?
Karen
LOL. I know my video for this was ridiculous. I was in a rush and it ended up being entertaining so I figured, suck it. It’ll work. Really, as long as you see the premise of how to fold it (through the picture I’ve provided) you should be fine. Don’t really need to see me folding it. That’s what I keep telling myself, LOL. ~ k
Marti
I actually thought your results were markedly better than when I saw Martha Stewart doing the same thing on network telly in the U.S.
Yeah, the video was FAR more entertaining as it was, and I’m with everyone else: great top!
Karen
That’s what makes blogs and blog videos so great. “Television” would have made me do it over again, making sure the sheet was in the shot and I found all 4 corners. Stupid television. :) ~ k
becky mercado
Excellent video…I took notes…..i kept waiting for the big ending….
The only other video of yours I’ve seen is the one about opening a bag of spaghetti….and you know how that ended.
Lucy
I think Robyn and I must do it the same way. No floors or tables, just a hand in the corner and folding each corner over the hand. Lickety-split; done in no time, lying flat, and amazing enough to also stack and admire. Learning how to fold a fitted sheet would be more useful as a Home Ec subject in high school than learning how to make a perfect meat patty. Robyn and I need to be in charge of curriculum.
Karen
Lucy – I tried doing it that way last night and it wasn’t working. I think you need to make a video. Yup. ~ karen
Karen
Ohhhhhh! I know what you’re talking about. Yes, I’ve done it like that a few times (probably by accident, LOL). Much fast and easier, but slightly less perfect looking. The way I do it in the video all the edges come out perfectly straight and there isn’t one part of the sheet that’s a bit lumpy. Your method has all the bulk in one area so it’s a bit more bump. BUT … it is much faster and easier. ~ karen
Karen
Hi! Heh, heh! Me again. Your method *isn’t* the method I used to use. Yours does make a nice flat sheet. O.K. I guess I’ll be making another How to Fold a Fitted Sheet video next week, ;) ~ karen
sarah
more folding magic – how to fold a t shirt in 2 move and learn Japanese at the same time.
Who thought of this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgEfBrIm1yg
btw – I hate to ask for more when you show such good stuff but weren’t you going to teach us how to make those round rope knot things?
Karen
Sarah – If you look in my videos I have “How to Fold a T shirt Japanese Style”!, LOL. It’s fun. ~ karen
sarah
I had a feeling folding a t in 2 moves wouldn’t have passed you by.
magali
what I learned: there’s a good reason I make my boyfriend fold the sheets with me!
that was good entertainment as I ate my Timmie Ho’s breakfast sandwich :)
Sharon Turner
Hilarious! We have, basically, the same method for folding flat sheets. One (unsolicited) tip ~ if you are a super neat OCD freak like myself? It behooves one to invest in a spool of contrasting ribbon. [Think... ridiculously colored holiday ribbon you'll find on the clearance rack after the holiday... in a color you wouldn't have in sheets]. Cut off a teeny tiny inch or two of said ribbon and hand stitch to the ‘points’ of your fitted sheet. For myself, it sped up the whole folding-a-fitted-sheet process. But, maybe speed isn’t the issue here ~ as you said, “we’re not saving lives, people ~ we’re folding sheets!” LOL. Great video! Thanks for the laugh!
Sharon Turner
**fitted sheets!!*** duh. I’m still working on my first cup of joe.
Cindy Marlow
After seeing this video, I know what I will do for the entertainment portion of my grandkids’ birthday. They’ll love it! Please, if you have any more helpful videos that will make kids fall down with laughter, feel free to post them!
Becky
Karen how much fun it was to hear your voice! This is the first video I’ve seen of you and after enjoying your wit in print it was even more fun “live” in audio.
I’m more partial to the first method of sheet folding but perhaps we’ll give this a try too and then carry it oh so reverently up to the linen closet!(as such effort deserves!!)
Karen
Becky – Right under my picture on the right, there’s an entire section of “videos”. You have a lot to choose from. :) ~ karen
Rebecca
I love your top! This might be one of the worst how-to videos of yours….but great for entertainment. Especially when you were looking for the missing corner, I just wanted to yell to you “It’s right there!!” Thanks for a laugh.
Dionne Trifiro
Thank you! I am a proud housekeepers with no balled up sheets in the linen closet, I am seriously thinking of switching the door to a glass one and installing a disco ball! I know i was one of the million viewers requesting this BUT I was the catalyst !
Cheers!
KB
Awesome! I usually just crumple my fitted sheets up into a ball. I’ve always meant to look it up online but never got around to it. Now I know! :D
Pam
OK, I’m sending this link to all of my friends… You know, an early Christmas present that all the ladies (and a select few men) in my life will thank me for…
Pam
cred
I HATE folding fitted sheets, even though I use this same method.
All the more reason to save my pennies to get some lovely Rough Linen sheets!
Leslie
Even worse than trying to fold fitted sheets – my Mom used to have me iron them! I now have a whole cupboard full of perfectly folded wrinkly sheets…
Babie Knoop
Hilarious! I am so glad you left the video just as it is! I love the fact that you can’t see the sheet ….just you explaining….
PS: I LOVE your front door!
Kristen@PrettySweet
THANK YOU for the tutorial. (Brilliant.) And the laughs! Always the laughs.
Brie
There it is….I should write the Pope- we just saw Karen preform a miracle. This qualifies you for sainthood.
Natalie
Thanks! I usually use the wad up method displayed at the beginning of your video. I was once reading an entertainment magazine and there was some silly model/celebrity saying that she knew she was an adult when she finally learned how to fold a fitted sheet. Ha!
Sharon
May I make a suggestion? Take two adjacent corners, and tuck one inside the other, with one inside out. Do the same with the other two corners. Then you can proceed with straightening out the edges and fold. Fast. Easy. Neat. I’ve been doing it by myself for 40 plus years. Sometimes on the bed. Sometimes not. But easier on the bed. Or table if you prefer.
Karen
Sharon – A couple of other people suggested that so I may make a second video next week! ~ karen
Deb
Dear Karen, I don’t own a golden artichoke…can I just knock over a vase instead?
Karen
Deb – Mmm. I’m not sure. I’d have to test it out. You know, do some research, look it up on the Internet. Maybe do 2 or 3 test runs with varying vases. I’ll let you know. ~ karen
lori
Karen~ please do as i also do not have a golden artichoke to knock over either.! hahahahah
thanks for the laugh
LeeAnne Bloye
Yay! The video! Thanks Karen, having seen how much hassle it was for you, I am never going to have the patience for it. I’ll fold them badly and shove them in a drawer. Most of the wrinkles come out after they’ve been on the bed for a short while. Who sees wrinkles when their sleeping anyway?
Nancy
glass doors with “POT” lights inside???
Sondra
Hi Karen, this is how I fold a fitted sheet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z5k9nWcuFc . It’s the “all corners over your hand” method that my mom taught me when I was a kid. My sheets never come out bumpy or anything. They are always nice and neat. I had never seen the method you showed before. But your video was rather entertaining, thanks for sharing! Love your blog!!
Karen
Thanks Sondra! Yup. I’ve seen that video. I find there’s a certain problem with everyone’s fitted sheet videos though. (something other than not showing the sheet, like mine) So I’m going to do another fitted sheet video next week! ~ karen
Del
I loved the shirt and wanted to scroll down when you disappeared out of view. Is that deffective thinking or what? I grew up with ‘normal’ sheets and prefer those to fold. But, having said that and the fact that I’m getting old-er, I fold my fitted sheets on top of the bed, easier on the arms, I get my daily walking done, and I entertain the dog!
Gloria
I don’t know about all these fancy folds……once they come out of the dryer…..they get put right back on my bed….that way you don’t have to fold sheet…..when they wear out….then get another set from the closets…..easy!!!!
Tess
Agree with Gloria. Wash and dry the sheets. Put them back on the bed.
You’re welcome.
Tricia Rose
What, no intermission? You could have sold popcorn!
Diane
hahaha! I actually had to watch this with no sound because my boyfriend was next to me asleep. But I got the jest of what you were doing and I actually fold mine in a very similar way, except I bypass the whole flat surface part and I do mine standing up (all brave-like)! :D
Nathalie
Hey Karen is that a Monkey’s fist on the floor? Do you use is as a door stop? Did ya make it yourself?
BTW I killed myself laughing at you folding this thing. I personally use the “shtick your hands in the corners and fold method”. I’m a massage therapist and have to fold sheets all.the.time ugh!
I would much prefer to fold them the way you showed them originally but people don’t like wrinkly sheets :P
Karen
Yup to the monkey’s fist. Yup I use it as a doorstop. Yup I made it. :) ~ k
Susan
Hey! You know my technique of folding! (The first way) My way works good cuz I have a nice wide shelf where the whole mess can fit. My way is a timesaver! ;)
Egads, I love you!! You always bring a smile to me.
Karen
Hah! Well, thanks Susan. I love you too. Well … I’m fond of you actually. ~ karen
Evalyn
You are my hero! “How to fold a fitted sheet in 127 easy steps.” I too can make a simple job much more complicated than necessary, but I rarely record it on video. For the record, I’m of the wad-it-into-a-ball-and-hide-it-in-the-cupboard school.
Gayla T
Stop! I’m ROTFL and at my age, I’ll have to use my life alert button to get help getting up. Now, a short tut on my method. Remove from bed and throw in the washer. Move to dryer. Remove from dryer and put back on the bed. Wwww! There! I’m done. However, my method takes an hour so yours is much quicker and lots more entertaining. I think I should put you on YouTube,don’t you? Classified under comedy skit and not mention that you are a whiz bang home ec teacher which sounds way more boring than you could ever hope to be. LOL
Mokihana
My problem is that my sheets have elastic along the sides as well. So they’re much more rounded than yours and don’t fold nearly as easily.
Jodie
Hahaha! I just laughed until I cried!!! By far the worst how-to video you’ve ever made! Thank you.
Anemone
Best vid ever! I fold my fitted sheets like in the first part of your video then hide it under the flat sheets and comforters…hoping the weight of the sheets will eventually flatten it out. I am gonna try it that way…
Linda
You are flipping hilarious. And, you look so Buff!!! Geesh, I’m 55 and my arms wave like flags at a used car lot.
Any secrets?
janey
Discovered your blog today. Your writing is laugh out loud funny and the video was hilarious. This is the first blog I’ve added to my reading list in a very long time!
Karen
Hi Janey! I’m glad you found the site! Um … I plan to do a better video in the future. Maybe. Out of curiosity … how did you find my site? Just curious. Out of curiosity. ‘Cause that’s the way I am. ~ karen!
janey
Hahaha bc Jenny over at MFAMB said you were crazy enough to fashion a table out of a tree stump and that was good enough for me. I wish I could remember what I googled when I originally found MFAMB a year or so ago as I am the curious type as well but alas…