| Choosing luxury bedding is not a simply task. | | | | to the touch. Only carded or combed yarns are used. |
| Customers must understand the factors which | | | | Combed cotton is screened from impurities. The best |
| contribute to its value and quality like the types of | | | | quality sateen is mercerized to give it a higher sheen. |
| cotton, types of weave (sateen, damask,chenille), | | | | Mercerized cotton has been treated with sodium |
| thread count, ply and embroidery. Some of these | | | | hydroxide to shrink it and increase its luster and affinity |
| factors will be summarized below. To get the most for | | | | for dye. It is also makes it more mildew resistant and |
| your money, these factors must be considered and | | | | stronger. Some sateen sheets are only calendared to |
| questioned. | | | | produce the sheen. This is when the fabric is pressed |
| What are the Types of Cotton? | | | | between two rolling pins to give it a glossier |
| Consumers should always be looking for the best | | | | appearance. This is lower-grade sateen. The sheen will |
| quality cotton products made from an extra-long | | | | eventually fade away with a few washings. This is not |
| staple cotton ( ELS cotton). The long fibers of ELS | | | | considered genuine sateen. Genuine sateen can be |
| cotton make a stronger and more softer yarn, and, in | | | | bleached, dyed, or printered. |
| turn, weave into a much stronger and softer fabric. | | | | What do You Need to know about Thread Count? |
| Most high thread count sheets are made from ELS | | | | Thread count (TC) refers to the number of fibers |
| cotton because a long fiber is needed to make a very | | | | woven together in one-square-inch of fabric. It can |
| thin, yet strong, yarn. Among the ELS cottons is Pima, | | | | range from 80 to 1200. The higher the thread count, |
| Supima and Egyptian cotton . Pima cotton is a generic | | | | which requires finer threads, the desirable smoother |
| label given to any ELS cotton grown in any country | | | | and softer the fabric. However finer threads mean the |
| from a particular type of long-staple cotton. Supima | | | | threads a slightly more delicate, so one must use |
| cotton is Pima cotton grown in the U.S. Egyptian cotton | | | | proper care when washing. An other important criteria |
| is a fine, lustrous, long staple cotton grown in Egypt. | | | | is ply. Ply refers to the number of single fibers twisted |
| Long staple cottons are more expensive than the | | | | together before it is woven into a fabric. By twisting |
| commonly available cottons, because they are | | | | two fibers together, the thread count can be doubled. |
| synonymous with quality and have a higher thread | | | | Some 1000TC sets of sheets are actually 330TC |
| count. The quality and feel of a sheet depends on the | | | | 3-ply or 250TC 4-ply. The higher the ply, the heavier |
| fibre the fabric is made from and the number of | | | | and thicker the sheet and the greater chance of the |
| threads woven per inch. The higher the thread count, | | | | fabric pilling (little balls). The highest thread count that |
| the softer and more durable the sheet. Also, if it | | | | can be woven into a single ply is 500TC. All 1000TC |
| doesn't say 100%, don't assume 100% Cotton. | | | | sheets are at least 2-ply. In summary, if softness is |
| What is Mercerized Sateen? | | | | desired, a high thread count and low ply is required but |
| Sateen is usually a cotton fabric that has a satin-like | | | | at a higher cost. If one prefers a heavier sheets, a high |
| feel. It's often found in bed sheets and other textiles | | | | thread count with a high ply (3-4) is required. They will |
| throughout the world. Sateen is usually 100% woven | | | | also keep one warmer. If one chooses a higher thread |
| cotton, although it is occasionally formed from rayon. | | | | count, proper care must be done to prevent pilling. |
| Like percale, sateen method in which the sheet was | | | | Anything above 300TC is usually soft enough for most |
| woven. The weave is what gives the sateen sheet its | | | | people. If one prefers a lighter sheet, select 250 to |
| soft, satin-like feel. The material is lustrious and smooth | | | | 500TC range with a single ply. |