Sheets with Pockets Keep Things Close at Hand

This morning I put on a pair of pants and realized that they had no pockets. Throughout the day I missed them. I’m used to stuffing tissues and small objects in my pockets throughout the day. I think cargo pants area cool invention! There are lots of pockets in these pants to store small items you need throughout your day.

How many of us have pockets in our sleepwear? I don’t miss not having pockets on my pajamas. However, I am getting used to having pockets on my sheets. About a year ago, I received an e-mail from Teresa Joyce, CEO of the Pocket Shop which manufactures Function All Linens. She told me about the bed linens that she manufactures in Austin, Texas. These sheets are unique! They include pockets on the sides of the bottom fitted sheet. She sent me a sheet for our bed, and my husband placed it over the mattress.

I wondered what I could put in the pocket on my side of our king sized bed. As I looked around at the items on my nightstand, I started to place tissues, my pillbox and foam earplugs into the pockets. As I lay in bed that night reading, I realized that my eyeglasses could also be held in place in these pockets. The television remote control and a small notebook also fit nicely in an upright position. There is even a strap on the pocket that conveniently holds a pen. How handy to have so many items so close at hand! I found it especially convenient during the night not having to fumble around on my nightstand to find my earplugs (on occasion, my husband does purr loudly).

Upon interviewing Joyce, I found out that many of her clients with disabilities are using larger pockets to hold medical equipment and supplies. These functional linens are made with the consumer in mind. The Ergo Pockets are sized and positioned for the client’s convenience so that items will be within reach. This is especially handy for people who are in bed many hours of the day. The pockets are large enough to hold a water bottle, small flashlight, cough drops, books, magazines, snacks, cell phone, PDA, and lotions. People find these pockets to be essential organizers, especially if their bedroom does not include a nightstand next to the bed. People with limited reach and mobility in bed will find it less awkward and painful to retrieve items conveniently stored in the side pockets.

Several months ago, my husband and I got a new bed. This new bed is composed of two extra long twin mattresses placed side by side—equal in size to our previous king-sized bed. There is a remote control to raise and lower the head and foot of the bed. The mattress is 12 inches thick so I needed a very deep-pocketed fitted sheet with elastic all the way around the bottom of the sheet.

Sheets for an adjustable bed with this thick of a mattress are hard to find. I ordered another set of linens from Joyce and told her all the dimensions of the two new mattresses. She had many colors and fabrics to choose from. When the new set of linens arrived, they were a perfect fit! The two fitted sheets have been tightly held in place no matter what position the mattresses are in. Our sheets were made out of a single ply high quality Egyptian cotton with an 800 thread count. They are very soft and will likely hold up for years to come.

When the pockets were created for this set of linens, a contrasting fabric was used for a visual accent and emphasis. The same accent fabric was incorporated into the pillow cases, creating a custom look.

I have one precaution for people who buy sheets with pockets. On laundry day, it is critical that you check the pockets so that nothing ends up left in them. I know from experience that several items made their way through the wash cycle before I realized that I had not emptied the pockets. Function All Linens with pockets can be ordered on line at www.FunctionAll-Linens.com

Rosemarie Rossetti, PhD is building a national model universal design home in metropolitan Columbus, Ohio. To learn more about the Universal Design Living Laboratory go to: www.UDLL.com