Sheeting at Its Best

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

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

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!