Some time ago, I bought satin sheets (not real satin - some sort of acryllic). I quite like the texture, but they are a bit cold, and very slippery. Do you like satin sheets? Or do you have another favorite? What about bear skin rugs? Let me know what you like to lie on. :: Peter :: Talk about dissapointments. I was given a set of satin sheets as a gift some time ago. THe feeling was rather sensual at first ....BUU ...BUT.....I couldn't get any traction at all which turned out to be quite a handicap for lovemaking. Furthermore, my partner and I found them impossible for sleeping...we wound up getting up and changing them in the middle of the night. Damn pillows kept slipping away!! Seems satin sheets were better as a fantasy. jSteve Dear Peter, I've slept on satin sheets once, and decided that they were *much* better to look at than to lie upon. I"ll stick to wearing the satin, thank you! I have a flannel comforter on my bed that I'm rather fond of. I know that flannel is a rather homely fabric, but the texture is lovely and it is soft and warm. ...Rebecca Dear Rebecca I wonder why satin sheets have such a sensuous image? Nobody has yet come out in support of them. Are there any textures other than flannel that you like? :: Peter :: Dear Peter, I'm still rather undecided about satin sheets. Sometimes they feel quite good to lie down on, especially after a long, hard day. They're rather interesting to make love on, seems one's...ummm... mobility (?) is increased due to less friction underfoot (or under-whatever). On the other hand, I find them difficult to sleep on. They alternately seem hot and sticky, or cold and clammy. The covers keep sliding off the bed, as do the pillows! Like you, I've only tried the "artificial" kind. I wonder if the real thing would be any better? (regardless...they *are* pretty!) ....paula Dear Steve, I love it! I left my message *before* reading yours! One of the most disconcerting experiences I've ever had was my "satin" encased pillow creeping slowly off the bed in the middle of the night! I nearly got up for a safety pin to attach it to the sheet!!! Maybe what's needed is one bed for sleeping and another for lovemaking? Kind of a satin covered "passion pit?" Oh, but you didn't like the lack of "traction," I forgot. Personally, I kind of liked that "slithery" sensation! ....paula Dear Rebecca, have you ever tried flannel sheets? I have a friend who swears by them, but they just don't appeal to me. But then, I've never tried them. I did have a satin and down comforter once. I *loved* that with a passion. The satin was on the *outside*. Looked gorgeous, and felt nice under my chin and under my fingers, but didn't slide off the bed! (see previous message about the sheets!) Anyway...what about those flannel sheets? Peter, I think one thing about satin sheets is that the very idea of sleeping on *satin* is soooooooo decadent! I mean, this is a LUXURY fabric! Not really used for such fundamental purposes as bed linen, for heaven's sakes! Seriously, don't you think it has that same decadent, impractical appeal as does a champagne bubble bath? ....paula Hmmm....textures to lie upon.... Well, I've once slept on *real* linen sheets, and those were wonderful. They were crisp and heavy--- I'll be really tacky and say that they felt expensive, and that was the kick . Fur has never done a lot for me, although I don't think I've ever lain on any, come to think of it. Part of the charm of the comforter is that it folds around one, whether you are under it or on top of it. You can literally snuggle into it, which I like. hugs!! ...Rebecca I've never tried flannel sheets, although I have looked at them. I sort of enjoy the contrast between the crisp percale I sleep on now, and the soft comforter. They contrast in textures, and the colors underline that: cool blue sheets, and a warm pink comforter. *Very* nice! Rebecca Dear Paula, Well, the lack of traction depends on what you are doing, ahem!!! From time to time I found it difficult to maintain my position!! This led to some rather hilarious situations. I wonder if Newton had Satin sheets in mind when he put forth his third law? Regards, Steve Well then, how about *silk* sheets? That would be even more decadent! Actually, I think silk sheets might be most *interesting*! Yes, I like comforters. The only problem is that when they are shared it is very easy for one person to steal them! They are not anchored down at either side. All it takes is for one person to turn over while holding the comforter, and the other person is suddenly left exposed! And twin comforters do not seem very romantic. I rather favor, for two people, a bed scattered with lots of pillows and covers--- also including many textures, too. That way if one cover goes off with the other, there's still plenty "around"! And pillows are *wonderful*. Flannel sheets are gret for cold winter nights when the primary objective is to keep warm. You can turn down the thermostat and save heating bills. They are, as you can see, prosaic, not romantic. Perhaps I'm missing something important here.... Why do you feel silk sheets would be...ummm, what did you call it...interesting? Or was that *interesting*!? ....paula Dear Robert, But doesn't the turning down of the thermostat also lead to more cuddling? (Sometimes being practical can be romantic too, don't you think?) a-romantic-at-heart, ...paula Yes, a variety of textures would be a good idea. Incidentally, the name "comforter" is interesting. I wonder how it got that name? In England they are referred to as "continental quilts" or "duvets". The first time I experienced such a thing was in Russia in 1965. It consisted of two sheets, sewn together all round the edges. One of the sheets had a hole in the middle, through which a blanket was inserted and then stretched out so as to lie between the sheets. I think silk sheets would be such a nice texture! Smooth without being slippery and/or clammy. Don't you agree? Talking about hilarious situations reminds me of something I was told by a Welsh woman. Apparently there is (or was) a tradition in Wales known as "bundling". It seems engaged couples were allowed to go to bed together provided that each remained wrapped up in an individual sheet. Perhaps they should have used satin sheets; I doubt whether they'd have remained wrapped up for long! Scandinavian name is "dyne",rhymes with Tina. In colonial Massachusetts,it was done with a wooden plank down the middle of the bed. Well, the Pennsylvania Dutch just west of here, have a tradition known by the same name. THe way this one works is that a young man and woman who are interested in each other can sleep together in a "bundling bed". THis is an otherwise normal bed with a board set vertically down the center to maintain the proprieties. And that folks is your trivia for today!!! Steve I've heard "duvet", but never "continental quilts". Interesting---- my great grandmother used to make a lot of quilts out of worn blankets...she'd put them between two sheets, and then quilt them together with tiny little stitches. They were warm, if not particularly fussy looking. I don't like the really stiff down quilts and comforters....they are too stiff to fold close around me, so I wind up feeling cold anyhow. I like the cheaper kind, which I guesss is lucky for me. Another texture I'm particularly fond of is an alpaca shawl I have.... shawl doesn't really do it justice; it's an enormous fringed cape of soft, soft, alpaca wool. One side is nubby and the other is like kitten's fur. It is *particularly* nice against bare skin. ..R Interesting idea! Funny, I've never seen silk sheets, have you? Wonder if there's a reason no one has made them. They *can't* be any less practical than satin can they?? A plank down the middle of the bed? Sounds interesting. I wonder how high the plank was? And who was there to check who climbed over it? So that's what "bed and board" means! It seems to me that they could just climb over, but perhaps the bed was too narrow. No, I've never seen silk sheets. I imagine they would be very expensive. And presumably would have to be dry-cleaned at enormous expense! Hi Paula: I rather like cuddling beneath flannel sheets when its cold outside. Never having tries satin, I'm no expert but it would appear to be more exciting than flanel. And just as soon as you start having fun, these expensive silk sheets will rip to shreds. If you're the one who paid for them, the mood is quickly going to go downhill ...