Homemaking Tip: How to fold a fitted sheet

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Today, we will tackle one of homemaking's most challenging aspects: FOLDING FITTED SHEETS. My beautiful cousin-in-law, Ayrel, requested that I do this how-to post, so HOWDY, Ayrel!

I have to admit that I didn't actually learn how to fold fitted sheets until a year after I was married. (It's true, Mom. You never taught me.) I learned how to do this from a homemaking expert on the Today Show while my little family of three was living in Germany. The only channel we received was AFN, the Armed Forced Network, so our television viewing was limited, but at least I can say I took this away from it all. Let me add here a thanks to our model, eight-year-old Landon. He was very excited to pose for this post, but as I was attending crying babies between shoots, his arms began to weaken as he held the sheet in the varying poses, thus explaining some of the facial expressions. Thank you, Landon, for being so patient!


Step 1: With the right side of the sheet facing you (that is the side that will eventually be "up" on the bed), place the tips of your fingers into the pockets of the sheet, so that your third finger is at the tip of each seam.

Step 2: Touch the tips of your third fingers to each other, while still in the pockets.


Step 3: Lift the left hand pocket and place it over the right hand pocket.



Step 4: Make it nice and smooth.



Step 5: You will now have a double pocket, with the seams inward. Place this part in your left hand, and put your fingertips into the pocket again, just like before, except this time it will be a double pocket instead of single one. With your right hand, line up the other side of the sheet to get ready for a repeat of the pocket overlapping.



Step 6: Now, so that you will have both of your hands available for the next part, tuck in the finished double pocket under your right arm.



Step 7: Repeat Step 2 with this side of the sheet.



Step 8: Repeat Steps 3 and 4. Notice how Landon still has the first side under his right arm, being safely protected from unfolding.



Step 9: Now hold out both double pockets with your middle fingers at the ends of the seams, as before, but this time, you will have TWO double pockets.



Step 10: Repeat Step 2 again, with the two double pockets.



Step 11: Repeat Steps 3 and 4 again.



Step 12: For the next step, lay the sheet, now folded in fourths, on a flat surface. Fold down the open edge (opposite you) so that it is even with the 45-degree angle seam on the right.



Step 13: Repeat this process with the open edge on the right side, again making sure that the open side nearest you is even with the 45-degree angle seam.



Step 14: Now grab the side nearest you and bring it up to the side opposite you, folding it in half.



Step 15. Repeat Step 14, folding it in half again.



Step 16: Next, with your left hand in Karate Kid stance, place it in the middle of the sheet and with your right hand, grab the left side and fold it over your hand, to the right. This maneuver ensures that no excess fabric will bunch up in the middle, preventing a flat finished product.



Step 17: Do one more smoothing and you are finished!



Now, I know these 17 steps seem complicated, and perhaps even grueling, but trust me, with diligent practice you can get your folding time down to under one minute. I timed myself this morning and clocked in at 58 seconds. Happy folding!



P.S. I know that the worded explanations were a bit confusing, but hopefully the photos and yellow arrows did the trick. If it's too confusing, let me know!