| A generation ago, no home maker worried about | | | | Now that we know a bit about what makes one |
| thread counts! | | | | sheet different from another sheet, let's get the facts |
| Thread counts have become one of the deciding | | | | go back to the facts about thread count. |
| factors for many people when they're buying bed | | | | The actual definition of thread count is the number of |
| linens today though. The truth about thread counts | | | | threads per square inch of fabric going horizontal and |
| may seem a bit difficult to understand. It doesn't have | | | | vertical. |
| to! More than just the thread count affects how | | | | Generally speaking, the higher thread count materials |
| bedding feels and how comfortable you will be when | | | | will have softer textures- or hands. |
| sleeping with it on your bed. Let's check into this alittle | | | | However, the bedding has to be viewed from an |
| bit. Then you can make informed decisions about your | | | | overall standpoint and take into account the fabric |
| bedding when you're ready to purchase again. | | | | composition and the finish to determine how soft a |
| Our grandparents and parents slept on lower thread | | | | sheet will actually be. |
| count cotton sheets and did just fine, right? These | | | | The most favored thread counts in bed linens today |
| sheets were serviceable, but could feel abit thin and | | | | are in the 200 to 600 range. The best combination of |
| unsubstantial by our standards these days. | | | | softness and durability are found in this range. |
| Today, bed linens can be found from a lowly 120 | | | | However, a 200 thread count cotton sheet woven |
| thread count up to as high as 1200. Who knows, | | | | with a sateen finish can be softer and more luxurious |
| maybe even higher soon! | | | | feeling than a 400 or 600 count sheet of standard |
| Is all this talk about thread counts much ado about | | | | cotton in a plain weave. |
| nothing? Well, the answer is yes and no. Thread count | | | | Egyptian cotton, which has a longer fiber than other |
| alone will not tell you how bedding will feel to the touch | | | | cottons, when woven into a 200 thread count sateen |
| or how well it will hold up over long years of use. | | | | finish sheet may feel more luxurious and softer than |
| The feel of bedding, what the sheets feel like on your | | | | either of the other choices. |
| skin, is known as "hand" or | | | | Single ply sheets of top quality cotton may feel more |
| "handle". The hand of the bedding does | | | | luxurious than double ply sheets. The only real means |
| have something to do with thread count, but that's not | | | | of rating how a sheet will feel to you is to touch it. |
| the only factor. The way the bedding is woven and | | | | Look for what features are most important to you |
| the content of the fabric have a lot to do with the | | | | when selecting your next set of bed linens. |
| hand of the bedding. The character, or individuality of a | | | | If you want few or no wrinkles, choose a polyester |
| material includes how the fabric drapes, the elasticity, | | | | cotton blend. Less crisp, less cool than cotton. |
| softness and fineness of how that particular sheet | | | | If you like the feel of satin or silk, but don't like sliding off |
| feels. | | | | the bed, choose a 100% cotton sateen weave. =) |
| The ply is a factor that defines the number of single | | | | If you like the extra warm feel of flannel, select |
| yards which are twisted to become the ply yard from | | | | brushed cotton or flannel finish- but be aware that this |
| which the bedding is woven. By twisting these single | | | | weave often pills quickly after only a few washings. |
| yards together to form the ply yard, the fabric is more | | | | (Look for the highest ounce weight fabric you can find |
| resilient and long lasting. The ply yarns are twisted | | | | to minimize this). |
| together to form cord- and the cord is the actual | | | | Percale often softens more and more as it is washed |
| material used in the weaving process. | | | | again and again. Simple, elegant, cool. |
| Finish is another characteristic of bedding which | | | | Egyptian cotton is King, with the longest cotton fibers |
| affects how it will feel to the skin. | | | | available to date. Supima cotton is also excellent, with |
| Percale is a plain weave of cotton or polyester/cotton | | | | a tiny bit shorter fiber length. Either of them becomes |
| blended yarns. This finish usually uses a higher thread | | | | softer and even more sumptuous with each washing! |
| count and a finer yarn. | | | | You can't go wrong no matter what with either. |
| Sateen is another finish for cotton fabric that is woven | | | | It's important to choose bed linens that you find feel |
| in such as way that the surface is smooth and | | | | good to you rather than select based on some |
| lustrous, reminding us of satin. | | | | designer theory of thread count. |
| Flannel is a brushed fiber finish which is quite warm, | | | | So, don't be taken in by a high price tag. Just because |
| soft and cuddly- it can be created from 100% cotton | | | | a sheet costs a lot doesn't necessarily mean it will feel |
| fibers or a polyester/cotton blend. | | | | any better than a less expensive sheet. |