Martha Stewart: Mark the ends of fitted sheets

Published 8:01 am Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Q: How can I tell the difference between the ends and sides of a fitted sheet?

A: Often you’ll find the manufacturer’s label on a top or bottom corner of the sheet. If your sheets don’t have labels, you can make your own tags and attach them to the top center of each fitted sheet so it’s easy to lay it out correctly when you’re making your bed.

Sew a brightly colored loop of machine-washable trim, such as grosgrain ribbon, bias tape or twill tape to each sheet, securing it at the elastic edge. Alternatively, mark the elastic at the center of one end with a fabric pen.

Q: I’m hosting my first Thanksgiving. How do I create a festive look for my table when all I have is basic white china?

A: It’s easy to do: Just let the colors of the season take center stage. A few accessories, which you might own already, can make white dishes come alive. Dress place settings with autumnal hues: orange or yellow napkins, flame-red place cards, earth-toned candles.

For a harvest-themed centerpiece, fill a few glass bowls, vases or hurricane lanterns with apples and pears in several varieties and shades, and set them down the length of the table. The seasonal fruits add color and texture.

To make the dinner a bit more formal, add candlelight. Place tall tapers in candleholders between the fruit arrangements. Your guests will think you spent hours preparing.

Q: How can I attach lauhala mats to a cement wall without using adhesive?

A: Woven with leaves from Hawaii’s hala tree, lauhala mats were used as floor covers and bedding in the islands’ traditional homes.

For your wall, you’ll need a roll of matting, lattice strips (enough to span the width of the wall twice), a staple gun, masonry anchors, screws and finish washers.

Cut the mat into pieces equal to the wall’s height; cut enough pieces to span the width with some overlap. Mark the lattice about every foot for drilling, and then drill holes. Cut the strips into pieces just shy of the mat’s width.

With drilled strips, mark the wall for drilling: one row just below the ceiling and one just above the floor. Drill, and then tap in anchors. Staple mat ends to strips. Collar screws with washers, and hang mats on the wall.

Address questions to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 601 W. 26th St., Ninth floor, New York, NY 10001. Send email to mslletters@marthastewart.com.

&Copy; 2011 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.