Crib Bedding brand review: Lambs and Ivy

Web site: lambsivy.com

Barbara Lainken and Cathy Ravdin founded LA-based Lambs and Ivy company in 1979. Their specialty: cutesy baby bedding that is sold in discount and mass market stores (you’ll also see them sold on Kohl’s web site and many others).

The looks are whimsical animal sets along with vintage prints and one licensed option: Snoopy. Quality of the Snoopy line is actually good—instead of using stamp printing, Lambs and Ivy uses photo-quality heat transfer technology. This is a clever way of achieving a nicer look without big cost (you have to see the bedding in person to note the difference).

Four-piece sets include a 100% cotton fitted sheet, dust ruffle, diaper stacker and quilt. Unfortunately, besides the sheet, the rest of the pieces are generally poly-cotton blends. Additional accent pieces are available separately including lamps, mobiles ($53), wall appliques ($22), blankets ($20) and window valances ($22).

Prices are pretty reasonable at $130 to $175 for a four-piece set. One cool side note: quilts have a sewn on rod pocket so you can use them as decoration. Parents tell us the price to quality is great and they love the brightly colored animal designs that Lambs and Ivy specialize in. Some parents felt the sheet was rather thin–you could see through to the mattress if there is no mattress pad. The sets also aren’t as soft as parents would like.

Bedtime Originals three-piece sets run from $50 to $85.

Bedtime Originals, a sub-line of Lambs and Ivy, is lower in price (around $50 to $85 for a three-piece set; pictured at right) and quality. They offer two Snoopy designs in the Bedtime Originals line for $75 to $150.

We’d rank the overall quality of Lambs and Ivy a bit ahead of other mass-market bedding brands. Yes, some of the fabrics are blends (50-50 cotton/poly), but the stitching and construction is a cut above. Rating: B+