I'm another one that has the sheet garters on hand, think I bought several new sets at the thrift store. I sleep on a waterbed and fitted bottom sheets are just way more than I am willing to spend.

My mom has an extra thick mattress and I gave her a set too, because her little tied on shoelaces was not doing a sufficient job!

As long as you have the set then I agree with the others that replacing the elastic would be the best thing to do and it would be as good as new.

If you want to cut it up and use it as fabric for a project you certainly can do that. Especially if the color is just right for something you have in mind. You can recycle/ up cycle it in any number of ways. Or you can fix it and keep it for a sheet. Any use is a good use. 🤗

I am cutting up two fitted sheets at present. One the elastic was not stretching at all it would have teen easy to remove as it was not sewn to the fabric at all. However I wanted to use the fabric for VBS costumes so just cut the elastic off. The other sheet the elastic ( similar to lingerie panty leg elastic} was sewn inside the turn over at the edge so I cut it off. But you could just replace the ends with elastic and it should stay on

I also use the garters purchased from BB & B, but I sewed button holes in the sheets so that I could keep the garters more secure. Works wonderfully!!!!

The sheet has been washed and dried many times. If you plan to cut it up and use it with other flannel or cottons I'd prewash and shrink those too before using them with the sheet.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I used to have those elastic garter-type straps (I remember garter belts too well!) but I think that somewhere in one of our moves, I decided I'd never have a need for them. But, I guess what I was really asking was how could I use it in my quilting. I was hoping for some novel ideas because you quilters amaze me with what you come up with. I wouldn't use it for a quilt backing because it's best years are behind it. If I don't cut it up for something, I will probably get the elastic garter straps and let it live out it's life as a bedsheet. Thanks again.