Marie, Your last post struck a chord with me from a previous move we made. My husband knew that the movers would also unpack us as part of the contract (govt. move). For some never to be known or understood reason he wanted them to unpack the boxes 'so the boxes would be gone'. They told him they didn't put stuff away, they just took it out of the box. I came home from work to find all the countertops in the kitchen, all tabletops, a 9-foot bar top, and 1/2 the floor in the kitchen covered with dishes, silverware, glasses, appliances, food, canned goods, paper goods, placemats, tablecloths, dishtowels, cleaning supplies,etc.etc.etc. In an extra bedroom they had literally 'dumped' boxes of shoes, sewing supplies, clothing, bathroom supplies, etc. That pile was 3 feet high. I don't think I have ever been so angry, both at my husband and the movers, but mostly my husband. I went to the bedroom, scrounged a change of clothes, and told him I would be back when it was cleaned up. So he took off three days, put away the kitchen, and reboxed and sorted the 'pile', and then I came home. When we moved the last time, we were in an apartment for 6 months, and then moved into our home, so everything but clothes and minimal lines was in storage. No repeat of the last fiasco. The point of my story is this; I didn't unpack a box until everything from the last box was put away. I realize there is that 'thing' that doesn't fit anywhere, so it goes back in a box to be dealt with later. I never unpack a box just to unpack it, unless I am prepared to put it away. That's the only way I can deal with it. And yeah, I've still got some boxes, but at least the stuff isn't sitting around looking at me. So, how is this going to help you? If you are still unpacking, STOP! If you try to keep on at this point, you will really overload your self. In an effort to get yourself to a comfort point, pick a surface, just one, and address that surface only until it is cleared. If you have stuff that you don't know what to do with, put it back in a box and label the box so you can easily retrieve it if you need to. Knowing how hard you worked to pare down before the move, I wonder if you have set the bar really high for your self and have some self expectations that are unrealistic. You are in a smaller home, the rooms are smaller, you are dealing with electrical inadequacies, AND you are working outside the home, hey, give yourself a break, and think of all you have accomplished in a relatively short time!! Marie, it's just 'stuff', and WHEN it comes out of the box is not the most important thing in your life. You won't have a lot of hot weather there, so make a pitcher of iced tea and go sit outside when you get home tonight. The boxes will wait. Barbara

I'm also a two king pillows with cases and two king pillows with shams user. Everything is white cotton or white matelasse, with a solid yellow quilt folded across the bottom. Our walls are yellow and the bed is against the wall. We have no headboard or footboard. Kitty cat sleeps on the yellow quilt every night. I also relate to your disappointment! I literally cried when my bed was delivered and set up, and called my sister on the phone I was so beside myself! I thought it looked so big and awkward and awful. I concluded I'd made one big honkin' mistake, and couldn't imagine *how* I could make such a thing actually look attractive. A little over six years later now, and I regard our king-sized bed as one of the best purchases we've ever made! Within a few months of living with it and adjusting my eye to it, I loved it, both in terms of how it looked in the room and how it functioned as a wonderful, dreamy place to sleep! I hope you find yourself with a transformed perspective too, Sonicmom.

Terra, yes I do wash my sheets and/or fabric before sewing. They usually do some (diagonal)shifting when laundered and you may have to trim them a little to square them up before sewing. That way, your cover won't twist on you after laundering the way new covers do. I agree it's hard to find separate sheets these days. They are either really cheap(quality)like the ones from "Wally World", or really expensive. Some fabric stores have extra wide fabrics(muslins, flannels), but are limited on colors. I try to find mid-range sheet sets and match fabric to the top sheet. It doesn't matter(to me)if there are seams on the top side of the cover. You could also buy two sets and use the top sheets for a reversible cover(best done during a big sale). If you sew small loops(from fabric or twill tape)on the corners of your comforter they hardly show, then you can sew ties to the inside corners of your cover to keep the comforter from shifting around. As far as making the cover, just think of it as a large pillow case sewn on three sides, with a hemmed edge on the open end. I usually make buttonholes along the opening, but sometimes when I'm rushed or tired, I'll sew fabric or tape ties(at least three pairs)to close the end(which I place at the foot of the bed). Good luck. I hope this helps.

You really need to match the pattern. It will look very funny if you don't. You need to figure out the match of the pattern (in length) to have a center panel and then take and split the other panel down the center and put on each side of the center panel matching the pattern. Then make a border (same width) all the way around it. You will need to trim the center piece to make the board equal all the way around. I think you will be more pleased with this look. By doing it this way you are framing the print in the center of the coverlet and making it the focal point of the bed. You may be able to use what is left over of the print to use as a piping along the edge of the coverlet or some where else. Hope this helps. Bonnie