A Touch of Lace

What is a Satin Stitch?

2012-02-17T10:34:00.000-08:00

A satin stitch or damask stitch is a series of flat stitches that are used to completely cover a section of the background fabric. The stitches are laid side by side, evenly and closely together, creating a large, smooth, satiny area- hence its name. A satin stitch can be used as a decorative stitch or to affix one piece of fabric to another.

To get a better understanding, watch a video of SFERRA's satin stitch on a set of Grande Hotel sheeting, here: Satin Stitch

The Lowdown on Linen

2012-02-17T10:24:00.000-08:00

Linen is a textile made from fibers of the flax plant and is one of the oldest textile fibers known to man. Because of its durability and absorbency qualities, linen has long been a favorite for summer clothing, sheeting, table linens, and toweling. Highly absorbent and a good conductor of heat, linen fabric feels cool to the touch. Linen is two to three times stronger than cotton. It is smooth, making the finished fabric lint free, and gets softer the more it is washed. Linen is relatively easy to take care of since it resists dirt and stains and has no lint or pilling tendency.

A Touch of Lace offers several styles of linen bedding. SFERRA has also introduced a new Italian-spun linen line called Classico Vintage. It's available in a soft color palette and is offered in duvet covers, shams, flat sheets and pillowcases.

New Product Alert!!

2012-02-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

A Touch of Lace is proud to announce the newest member to join our collection of high end products: The Laundress! It is an eco-chic line of specialty detergents and fabric care committed to being green for you, your clothing and the environment.

Why should you pick the Laundress?
Highly concentrated
Suitable for all machines, washing temperatures, and water systems
Each product is designed specifically for each fabric with the most effective ingredients
Avoid toxic chemicals and eliminate 99% of dry cleaning needs!

What makes the Laundress green?
100% biodegradable
Concentrated product requires less packaging, less water, and less energy
Recyclable plastic is used for all products
Scents contain essential oil blends, not artificial fragrances
They do not use artificial colors, dyes, or unnecessary additives
Allergen, phthalate, phosphate, and paraben free

A Touch of Lace is excited to introduce you to these amazing products. Stop in to check out the detergents (signature, whites and delicate), wool and cashmere shampoo, stain solution, fabric fresh spray, static solution, and the sweater stone!

What is a hemstitch?

2012-01-25T13:10:00.000-08:00

A hemstitch is a decorative drawn threadwork technique. A section of parallel threads are removed from the fabric and the remaining perpendicular threads are grouped together with additional thread to make small ornate holes. Despite its name, a hemstitch is not limited to the edges or hems of fabric - it can be used as an ornamental stitch anywhere on the fabric. A hemstitch can be found on bed linens and even table linens (cloths and napkins).

One of our top selling sheets, SFERRA's Celeste features a beautiful hemstitch. Below is an image of these best-selling sheets:

Come in to A Touch of Lace today to pick up a set of your very own Celeste sheets!

What is Applique?

2012-01-25T12:31:00.000-08:00

Applique refers to a needlework technique in which one layer of fabric is played over another layer of fabric and sewn in place. The term is French in origin and, in this context, means "applied" or "thing that has been applied." Typically, different fabrics are selected for the applique to add texture, contrast and style.

We're excited to announce a new addition to SFERRA's, Orlo. Below is an image of the new line which shows an applique of Camel sateen on an ivory percale base:

Orlo will be available in Camel on Ivory, Sea Mist on Ivory, Charcoal on White, Chocolate on White, Grey on White, Ivory on White, and Navy on White. The base fabric used is the Grande Hotel percale from Italy.

Lets Break Down the Weaving Process

2012-01-18T11:54:00.001-08:00

Sferra is always about keeping their customers informed. Recently they sent out a breakdown of the weaving process, and who better to pass this information onto than YOU!

In the weaving process, the selvage (or selvedge) is the self-finished edge. Selvages keep the fabric from unraveling or fraying. The warp yarns are those running lengthwise or vertically, parallel to the selvage. They run the entire length of the fabric. The weft are those running widthwise or horizontally, perpendicular to the selvage. They loop back at the end of each row.

Below is an image illustrating the selvage, warp and weft.

Twill Weave Talk

2012-01-17T13:03:00.001-08:00

A twill weave is a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs (in contrast with a sateen and plain weave). This is done by passing the weft thread over one or more warp threads and then under two or more warp threads and so on, with a "step" or offset between rows to create the characteristic diagonal pattern. Because of this structure, twills generally drape well.

Below is an illustration of the twill weave:

Witney is a Star!

2012-01-17T12:14:00.001-08:00

We are incredibly happy to announce a famous addition to A Touch of Lace's family: Witney! A classic-multi-colored yarn-dyed sateen jacquard woven from the best Egyptian cotton. Witney is a beautiful sheeting brought to you by the masterminds at Sferra and was featured on the hit HBO series Boardwalk Empire!
The delicate pattern of leaves and flowers that dance across the surface are subtly rendered by these impeccably chosen threads.

Want to feel like a TV star? Then stop by A Touch of Lace today to purchase a set of your very own Witney sheets.

What is a French Knot?

2011-12-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

No, it's not the newest five star restaurant, it's a unique embroidery technique! The method involves the yarn or thread knotting around itself. Below is a little peak into the intricacy of the embroidery:

Our friends at SFERRA specialize in the French Knot technique and offer beautiful table linens featuring the elegant style. As each piece is hand-crafted, from the hand-embroidered knots to the hand-drawn hemstitch, no two are ever the same. The subtle differences make each piece unique- a work of art! Each stitch is skillfully done by hand on the very finest Italian fabrics. A Touch of Lace is proud to offer these sophisticated linens so stop by today to pick out your very own piece of French Knot perfection!

A Touch of Lace is Famous!

2011-12-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

A Touch of Lace had the unique pleasure of being featured on Fox 2 News this past Wednesday! Chuck Bennett, a local style guru, was invited to share his favorite Holiday Hostess Ideas. And of course he hand picked some beautiful pieces from A Touch of Lace's showroom! If you missed our debut, don't worry. You can watch the clip right here on our blog. Enjoy and remember to stop in A Touch of Lace to fulfill all your holiday needs!

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/mornings/holiday-hostess-gift-ideas-20111214

Fill Power Revealed

2011-12-07T08:09:00.001-08:00

As the temperature starts to drop, our down comforters are flying off the shelves. If you're unsure on what comforter is your best fit, you're in luck! A Touch of Lace and Sferra are here to offer a little insight into the wonderful world of fill power in down comforters...

Fill power is a measurement of efficiency; the higher the fill power number, the better the down and the greater the insulating value. The fill power measurement represents the number of cubic inches filled by an ounce of down.

Fill power is directly related to the size of the down cluster. Large down clusters occupy more space than smaller down clusters. The higher the fill power, the larger the clusters, and thus, the more air that is trapped between the clusters. The trapped air is what gives down its insulating properties.

The size of the bird and the climate in which it lives, determines the size of its down cluster. The colder the climate, the larger the down cluster required to keep the bird warm. For example, it is colder in Canada than it is in Hungary. Therefore, the birds need larger down clusters in Canada to stay warm.

Sferra's down collection presents various options of white goose down fill power: Buxton (600+ European), Somerset (700+ Polish), Cardigan (800+ Siberian), and Snowdon (900+ Canadian).

Order yours today from A Touch of Lace!

Molto and Bello

2011-12-07T07:47:00.001-08:00

Sferra offers an array of luxurious towels. Many of our clients seem to have the same concerns about the craftmanship and care of their towels. Among these concerns is whether or not some towels are chlorine resistant. Well we're happy to let you know Sferra offers TWO types that are in fact chlorine resistant: Molto and Bello. Here's a little inside information for you brought to you by Sferra...

Unlike most towels, Molto and Bello towels are chlorine resistant in standard household conditions, such as contact with swimming pool water or other liquids containing chlorite in a practical reduced degree. Those nasty streaks of bleached fading won't be a problem for Molto and Bello if you accidentally add a bit of chlorine bleach to the wash. Sferra uses a special dyeing process with a state-of-the-art synthesis and finishing technology; a full range of dyes with maximum fastness to light, weather, washing and chlorine. Only direct and intense contact with chlorite will result in bleaching risk.

Unfortunately, organic peroxides, such as benzoyl peroxides, which are used in certain acne treatment creams, pose a challenge. No dye is resistant to benzoyl peroxide. When using products with organic peroxides, it is always recommended to use a white towel.

Molto and Bello are woven in Belgium by a family-owned mill that also makes the best towels in the world for the major European luxury brands. Sferra

The Finest Sheets in the World

2011-11-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

A Touch of Lace is beyond pleased to let all our clients know we sell the world’s finest sheets! Sferra’s GIZA 45 is woven from the world’s finest cotton; the world renowned Giza 45 yarn. This super long staple cotton yarn is so rare and fine. Its yearly produce is so small that manufacturers of fine men’s shirting consumed the entire world’s production every year until SFERRA negotiated to attain a percentage of this superior textile. Egyptian Giza cotton is the softest, smoothest and most luxurious that you will ever find. Its threads consist of the longest staple cotton grown in the fertile valley of the river Nile. The master craftsmen in Italy have worked it into a stunningly smooth finish. The cotton is woven into soft percale, beautiful sateen, and a sateen jacquard. Available in perfect white and luscious Ivory, they’ll blend perfectly in any room.

Baby Love

2011-09-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

A Touch of Lace has recently been flooded with customers looking for baby gifts and registries, so we thought this week we would blog about the wonderful world of babies!

A Touch of Lace prides itself on offering the most unique and memorable baby gifts. We have everything from hand knit sweaters to sterling silver rattles to embroidered baby books! We're also happy to offer baby registries for expecting mommies and daddies!

A Touch of Lace offers a program called "Baby's First Year." Purchase your crib ensemble and basic layette at A Touch of Lace and we will extend a 10% discount to you on all your baby's needs for his or her first year. Imagine the savings!

If the expecting parents have yet to register at A Touch of Lace, we can still help. We'll assist you in picking a present the parents are sure to love!

With fall right around the corner, what better than a cozy hand knit sweater? We offer several colors and motifs from 6 month size all the way up to 8T. We can even put the baby's initial or name across the front!

New parents never want to forget all of their baby's firsts- first word, first steps, first haircut, so how about gifting a monogrammed baby book?

Nothing is as entertaining as watching your little bundle of joy eat his first bowl of pasta, sauce and all. It becomes even cuter when he's eating from his (or her) own personalized ceramic dinnerware set.

Every baby must end their bath being wrapped up in a cozy hooded towel (we wish they came in adult sizes!). At A Touch of Lace we have endless amounts of options, just take your pick!

And that's just the start! Stop in A Touch of Lace and check out our wonderful baby selection. It's impossible to walk out empty handed.We also offer beautiful gift wrapping that will impress any parent-to-be!

Are you an expectant mother or father, but still struggling to pick out a baby name? Well here's a little help: top 10 baby names of 2011!

   Girls                                                   Boys
1.Isabella                                               1.Jacob
2.Sophia                                                2.Ethan
3.Emma                                                 3.Michael
4.Olivia                                                  4.Jayden
5.Ava                                                    5.William
6.Emily                                                  6.Alexander
7.Abigail                                                7.Noah
8.Madison                                             8.Daniel
9.Chloe                                                 9.Aiden
10.Mia                                                  10.Anthony

And just for fun: the most "unique" names...

Jermajesty - son of Jermaine Jackson
Sage Moonblood - daughter of Sylvester Styllone
Apple - daughter of Chris Martin and Gwenyth Paltrow
Fifi Trixibell - daughter of Bob Geldof and Paula Yates
Zowie - daughter of David Bowie (that's right, her name is Zowie Bowie..)

Until next time, linen lovers!

-A Touch of Lace

Sheeting at Its Best

2011-08-10T12:43:00.000-07:00

Now that we've tackled that tricky subject of thread count, lets discuss the wonderful world of fabric! You've all seen those fancy words "egyptian," "percale," "sateen," "linen," but what do they mean?

Well lets start from the beginning with Egyptian cotton. Can you guess where this cotton is produced? You guessed it! Egypt. Egyptian cotton is made using long staple cotton creating very smooth, durable, and breathable fabric. These sheets are known for their softness and they can last for years (if you treat them right). This cotton has been nicknamed "the king of all cotton," but beware- some companies will say Egyptian cotton on their package, but unless there's a "100%" in front of those special words, it's probably a blend (meaning not pure Egyptian). Two common types of sheeting that use Egyptian cotton are percale and sateen.

Sheets like percale come in different variations. Some are 100% cotton, others are 50% cotton 50% polyester (also known as "easy care"), 50% cotton 50% linen, and so forth. Percale appeals to customers who like a traditional cotton feel. They are usually described as crisp and cool as opposed to satiny or silky, like sateen sheets.

Sateen sheet are woven from long fiber, combed or carded cotton. It is usually soft right away, unlike percale which becomes softer after a few washes. Also the "satin stitch" is used to create these sheets, which means the threads are mostly on one side of the fabric giving it that popular sheen. But don't be discouraged with the comparison. Sateen sheets are not nearly as heavy or hot as satin (or silk) sheets. Also, keep in mind that the name sateen does not refer to the fabric, but to the way it is woven. It is still made from cotton.

Lastly, lets talk about linen, a well known fabric. It's made from fibers of the flax plant and known for it's freshness and coolness in hot weather. For the most part, linen is used for the top of bed (i.e. duvet covers, shams, etc.), however in Europe it is very common for beds to be dressed in linen from top to bottom (fitted sheets and all). Over time and with several washes, linen becomes very soft which is hard to believe since it starts out feeling coarse. Keep in mind, like anything else made of linen, it can become very wrinkled- especially when used for sheeting.

So next time you venture into "A Touch of Lace," be sure to feel the fabrics for yourself because you'll never truly know your match until it's touching your skin. And remember, we spend one third of our lives in bed, don't you want to have the best possible fabric wrapped around you?

The Truth About Thread Count

2011-08-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

Many people who walk into A Touch of Lace ask for sheet sets with a high thread count. Most customers who are particular about their thread count assume the higher the count, the more luxurious and high quality the sheet must be. Agree? Well I'm here today to let you in on a little secret: higher thread count doesn't necessarily mean nicer sheets.
Most of us have "slept" under the assumption that those silky, incredibly soft sheets must have an extraordinarily high thread count.
In fact, the thread count number actually means how many threads are woven in one square inch of fabric. Some threads may be thicker, so not as many can fit into one square inch, or the threads are much thinner, so the thread count is higher because more can be woven together.
Ever seen those two little words "single-ply" or "double-ply?" Well single-ply fabrics are used on their own while double-ply are two pieces of thread twisted together, creating a heavier sheet. So are those 1,000 thread count sheets really 1,000 single-ply threads-per-inch? Or are they really 500 double-ply threads-per-inch. Oh the confusion.
Our recommended tip for finding sheets you like? Feel them. Touch the fabric, imagine yourself lying between those sheets. If it feels right then you've found your match. Don't pay any attention to the thread count number, it doesn't have any barring on how nice the sheets will feel.
Instead of looking for a number, what you should look for is the material of the sheets. Is it Giza? Polyester? Egyptian? Those are the key words you should be paying attention to.
Not sure what the difference is? Well stay tuned to our next blog for insight into the world of cotton!

A Touch of Lace Blog

2011-08-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you for taking the time to check out our newest endeavor: A Touch of Lace blog! For 24 years a Touch of Lace has been regarded as a premier purveyor of luxury linens and accessories for homes around the world. We're so excited to share our newest products, our favorite lines and some insight into the world of linens. Feel free to post any comments, questions or blog requests you may have and we'd be happy to answer them for you!