T-Shirt Sheets In Demand, Thanks To Winfrey

Never underestimate the power of Oprah Winfrey. If she praises a book or a product, you can bet it will become a megahit.

“I’ve had linens made in Ireland,” she told Sylvester Stallone on her talk show last November. “I’ve had linens made by little old ladies in the villages of France … but nothing has made me feel better than T-shirt sheets.”

Newspapers reported that sales were booming the next day at the upscale (read expensive) Shabby Chic store in Chicago where Winfrey shopped for her sheets.

And the demand hasn’t slowed. In the eight months since she fueled this bedding fad, companies have been scrambling to produce T-shirt sheets.

Now you can find them nearly everywhere - from stores like HomePlace to catalogs like Coming Home. Prices and quality vary. Unlike regular sheets, no standard of quality levels or construction exists.

Look for sheets that are cut oversize to allow for shrinkage. If you have one of the new deeper mattresses, be sure the pockets are cut deep. The jersey fabric tends to curl, so look for elastic all the way around and double stitching so they fit snugly.