Flat sheets are one of the most overlooked fabric sources in the homestead. They’re wide, inexpensive, already pre-washed, and come in more colors and prints than most fabric aisles. One king-sized flat sheet can become an entire coordinated kitchen linen set—placemats, napkins, tea towels, and even a table runner—at a fraction of the cost of buying yardage.

Here’s how to turn a single flat sheet into a polished, durable kitchen set you’ll actually use.

Out here on the homestead, nothing goes to waste—not fabric scraps, not fence posts, not even a block of wood. And when it comes to sewing, the right seam makes the difference between “it’ll do” and “this will last.” Let’s walk through the most useful seam types, then I’ll show you the little block of hardwood that makes them look sharp: the tailor’s clapper.