Weird!

My flat sheets do the same. I've never attempted to iron them. Pillow cases don't have the problem. Characteristics of the fabric apparently is the cause. It is a strange thing.

I assume it is because the hem doesn't follow the grain of the fabric. I have thought about removing the stitches of the top hem, then tearing the sheet along the grain and then rehemming.

Yep! I agree that the fabric wasn't cut correctly. I've just had a percale top sheet split where the sheet meets the hem.

Looks exactly like mine. And my pillow cases are like that, too! I iron the top but it never goes away.

Mine does the same thing. Annoying but I just smooth them with my hand the best i can.

I think there is an old, really long thread about this in the Laundry forum...if anyone has better luck searching this site than me. It had a very interesting explanation about why this happens, but, of course, I don't recall what it was. Apparently, no amount of pressing will eliminate it.

glad you found it HighDesert. I finally googled it instead of using the worthless search function here and was able to locate it that way, too. That's the thread I was remembering.

Thanks guys, I also found the thread and just read through it all.

No solutions, but misery does love company!

Something that you could try, if you care to, is dampen strips of brown kraft paper (grocery sack paper) and lay it on the creases and press with a hot iron until they're dry. You can repeat the process several times, if necessary. It's worked for me on things besides sheets. I hang bedding outside to dry so my sheets don't get that type of creasing.

Funny, I was taught that making a hem or seam that's perfectly on grain is a big no-no, so we were taught to make a straight line hem or seam just slightly off grain to make it smoother.

I never thought about this, but it happens for me too. Doesn't make it very nice when making up a fresh bed.

Me too.

Seems like the easiest solution is to turn the sheets and use the bottoms at the top.

I've never seen anything like this. But I haven't bought new bedding in quite some time. I like buying my bedding at second hand stores.

The last set we bought were $15 for a Queen set. Beautiful quality, very comfortable sheets. Kirkland brand, Supima cotton, We saw the exact same set for $100 at Costco.

I've never seen this either...but I would have returned them. It would drive me crazy trying to outsmart them. LOL I am OCD about crisp, smooth sheets.

my sister thinks that if you iron them with a cloth soaked in vinegar she thinks that would take care of the problem

You might try pressing with a clapper. DH made me one out of a scrap piece of 2x4.

It works to make really sharp creases...maybe it will also work to flatten the fabric and remove creases.

Annie - interesting device, I can see how that would help. But I found myself watching the iron. I've never seen one like hers. After ironing she placed it on the surface next to her and after a moment it lifted up - the first time I thought I was imagining it but it did it again the next time. So I googled it - the Oliso with auto lift. My girlfriend who quilts has one but I never happened to watch her use it.

Vinegar in water is similar to the brown paper trick. Both are slightly acidic.

maire, yes I've seen it before....Nancy used to have one on Sewing With Nancy, RIP.

That's a cool iron! I wonder what type of wood the clapper is made of. I'm thinking something lightweight and porous like balsa wood. UPDATE: it's beechwood. And another one is made from red oak.

That iron is cool. Watching that made me want the iron & the clapper, and I rarely iron anything! LOL

I haven't read the full thread, but have you tried putting the sheets on the bed still damp from the washer and flatten with your hand and let them air dry? I put damp sheets on the bed all the time because I refuse to iron, takes a few hours to dry and puts some moisture in the air.

I think sleeperblues tip would work best in a very dry environment.

Here in the humid south, it would likely result in mildew on the mattress pad and mattress 😕