Silky sash restraints by Sportsheets - review by Dawn (Lilac Distraction)

These simple silky sashes have a very wide variety of uses that are suitable for just about anyone out there. They're some of the most versatile restraints you can get. You can use them to bind wrists and ankles in a comfortable, light bondage manner. You can use them as a blindfold. They can be used to attach cuffs with a D-ring. They can be used as tethers, as well. They're also very nice for making big bows to decorate yourself or your lover. (I loved tying a big bow around my neck all anime-style.) They'll fit pretty much anyone. These have as many uses as you can think up.

Beginners will love how gentle these are, and how easily they can be untied. They're suitable as a first piece of bondage gear. The sashes are totally non-intimidating and very discreet. They're also gorgeous to look at when in use. Advanced players will love the versatility of the design and the stunning visual impact these give when used in conjunction with other equipment.

While these are "silky sashes", they're not really made of silk. The material seems to be a cheap but sturdy satin material. It's a lot like the satin you would find on cheaper Halloween costumes. It's pretty thick and not the softest feeling material out there. It's mildly shiny, but not as shiny as the picture would lead you to believe. It seems as though it should hold up to use a little better than something like genuine silk would. Normally satin has a "right" and "wrong" side, but both sides of these sashes are identical (except where the ends are folded over slightly and sewn). Each sash is 48" long and 4" wide with a diagonal cut at each end. No matter how large or small your wrists/ankles/head/neck, you should be able to use these and have them fit well.

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting from these when I purchased them, but I don't find them to be anything too special. The material was a little cheaper than I had expected. The knots are easy to tie and be untied. They're comfortable no matter how you use them. They'll fit anyone. Those are all good points, right?

As a blindfold, this works as well as some of the cheaper or simpler blindfolds out there. There really isn't a good way to make it a blackout blindfold, so you'll still be able to peek out the bottom of it. Folding this in half so that it's 2" wide is the best way to go about making a blindfold. Leaving it at 4" might be way too wide for the face and may not be comfortable. The blindfold does slip a little bit, so it's not one for more active play.

For restraints, these are alright. If they aren't tied tight enough, it's really easy for them to slip off or come undone. They can easily be escaped, which is a plus for some of the lighter bondage enthusiasts or beginners. They're comfortable and don't really restrict the wrists. It's also virtually impossible to have these sashes leave marks on you.

I prefer to use these for other things than the uses listed above. I like using them to attach my Aslan cuffs together with a big pretty bow. I like wearing them as an accessory instead of as a simple restraint. (I'm a bit of a harder player and like heavier restraint.) I also like tying nice bows on myself and things around my bedroom for a pretty decoration.

One thing I enjoyed about the sturdy satiny material is that it doesn't wrinkle as bad as softer, thinner materials do. After tying this in a few tight knots, it actually didn't have many wrinkles at all. If you want to get the wrinkles out, set your iron on a low setting and smooth them out.

The material is machine washable and dryable, which is another advantage over more delicate materials. When washing, use cool or warm (not hot) temperatures, and make sure everything is set on the delicate cycle. You can also hand wash these and air dry them, if you choose. Washing should also remove any wrinkles.

You can practically store these anywhere because of their covert uses. Create pretty bows on your headboard, hang them from a hook, stash them in a drawer, etc. If people catch sight of these, they probably won't instantly catch on to what the use actually is. It's a good idea to store them out of direct sunlight to make sure that the color stays just as pretty as it is.

I'm still not exactly sure how I feel about these. They're nice, but not as nice as I was hoping. I could have easily made these for a small fraction of the price. The idea behind them is nice, and it's one I enjoy, but I think it was poorly executed. I would have chosen a softer and shinier material. The only think I really like them for is how pretty they are, but again, a cheaper fabric I'd cut into strips may be even prettier.

If you're looking to take baby steps into bondage, these may be really great for you. I'm a total snob when it comes to equipment so I didn't find much excitement in these sashes.