Egyptian Cotton

Q: What should YOU know about Egyptian Cotton?

A: As the term implies, Egyptian cotton is used to describe cotton grown in Egypt. The fertile Nile River valley of Egypt has long been considered the most desirable setting for growing the finest cotton in the world. It has the perfect climate to produce cotton with extra-long fibers; the valley is sufficiently humid and the soil is rich in nutrients. This reputation is precisely what makes the term "Egyptian cotton" so meaningful to consumers.

It is important to recognize that Egypt grows a variety of different types of cotton, which are categorized by the length of the cotton fiber (known as staple). There is Extra-Long Staple (ELS), Long-Staple (LS), and regular cotton, and there are significant differences between these varieties.

The ELS fibers allow the cotton to be spun into much finer, softer, and stronger yarns. And fabric woven with ELS cotton is more breathable, providing greater comfort. It also produces less lint and has less of a tendency to pill. And as an added bonus, it becomes softer with every laundering.

Unfortunately, most products labeled "Egyptian cotton" are not made with ELS cotton yarns. Only a small percentage of the Egyptian cotton production is ELS, and within the ELS category, the finest varietals are not being grown in any significant quantities. Therefore, it is best to be somewhat wary when "Egyptian cotton" is listed as the fiber content.

brought to you by SFERRA**

Gingham Check Pattern

Q:  What is a gingham check pattern?

A:  Gingham is a plain weave, yarn-dyed cotton or cotton-blend fabric.  Gingham was originally woven with stripe patterns, but is also woven with checks (two colors) or plaids (three or more colors).

A gingham check pattern is created by weaving parallel horizontal and vertical stripes of equal widths, either in a white and color-dyed yarn, or two color-dyed yarns.  The crisscrossing of the two colors in the warp (lengthwise strands attached to the loom) and weft (horizontal strands that cross the warp) produces an allover pattern of solid-color, square checks.  The two colors of stripes intersect to form a third color check.  Think of a classic red picnic cloth or Dorothy's blue dress in the Wizard of Oz.

**Brought to you by SFERRA.

Punto Ombra Hem

Q: What is a punto ombra hem?


A: Punto ombra is a special Italian hem treatment in which a satin stitch is embroidered on the reverse side of the fabric. This stitch creates a low-relief, or raised, borer on the front of the fabric for a subtly finished hem. A punto ombra hem is clean-lined, elegant, and resilient. It is much more subtle than the classic satin stitch, for it uses the fabric itself to create the hem, ensuring a perfect match with the color of the fabric.

Below is an example of a punto ombra hem from SFERRA called Avellina:

**Brought to you by SFERRA

We Know What Pique Is, Do You?

Q: What is Piqué fabric?

A: Piqué (pronounced "pee-kay") fabric is characterized by raised designs - cords, waffles, or patterns. Technically, piqué fabric is known as a double-cloth, with the unique texture achieved by weaving two layers of fabric, one above the other, on the same loom. The piqué weave creates more body and crispness than a plain weave.

Below is a close-up of a 100% Egyptian cotton, lightweight, miniature-piqué pattern. A Touch of Lace offers a wide-variety of piqué blanket covers, shams, and bedskirts. Stop in our store, or visit our website to view some of our piqué products: A Touch of Lace.

brought to you by SFERRA**

Care for Your Bed Linens

Q: What is the best way to care for your bed linens?

A: Caring for your bed linens can be easy if you follow some simple suggestions. In return, you will prolong the life of your bed linens and preserve their beautiful appearance. Remember with any linens to be sure to read the care label for best results.

Washing - Pre-wash your linens before first use. Separate your linens from other items in the wash, especially those containing polyester, which tends to create pilling, and items with heavy zippers, which can damage the fabric. Separate light and dark colors. Avoid overloading the washing machine, which can cause fibers to break down from excessive abrasion and agitation. You can wash most linens in warm water on a gentle cycle with a cold-water rinse, but be sure to check the care label.
(A Touch of Lace offers a wonderful line of linen, towel, silk and lingerie, and laundry wash)

Detergent - Use a mild detergent without added bleach, whiteners, or fabric softeners. Do not pour detergent directly on textiles; rather, add it to the water as the wash tub fills or dilute detergent with water, then add linens. Unless linens are very soiled, you only need to use half the recommended amount of detergent.

Bleaching - Chlorine bleach will weaken fibers and cause the fabric to yellow.

Drying - While line drying outdoors is gentle, safe and imbues linens with the fresh scent of the outdoors and natural bleaching of the sun, it is not always practical. You can machine dry most linens on low heat, but be sure to check the care label. Shake out damp linens before placing in the dryer. Never use a high heat setting, which will weaken the fibers, damage the fabric, increase shrinkage, and shorten the life of your linens. Remove items from dryer promptly, while still damp, to minimize wrinkles. Smooth and fold, or press with an iron, if desired.

Ironing - Check to make sure your steam iron is clean - mineral deposits could cause brown spotting. Iron linens while still damp. To restore the lustrous face of sateen fabrics, iron on the reverse side. For embroidered linens, iron them on the reverse side atop a towel to preserve the three-dimensional effect of the embroidery. Use a press cloth to protect delicate lace and cutwork.
(A Touch of Lace now carries linen water for ironing in four luxurious scents.)

Shrinkage - All natural fibers will shrink to some extent, but some companies generously overcut their products to allow for shrinkage. Do not wash, or, especially, dry linens on a hot setting, which is most likely to damage the fabric and intensify shrinkage. Always follow instructions on care label.


Storing Linens - Store bed linens in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Linens stored long-term should be wrapped in white cotton, muslin (old pillow cases work well) or acid-free paper. Avoid storing linens in plastic bags or boxes, which can cause permanent yellowing; natural fibers need to breathe. Cedar chests can also yellow or streak fabrics.

**Brought to you by SFERRA

Herringbone

Q: What is a herringbone weave?

A: A herringbone weave is a variation of a twill weave that results in a broken zigzag pattern. It is made up of short parallel rows, slanted in one direction and then another, forming a distinctive "V"-shaped design. A herringbone weave is often made more prominent by using two colors - one in the weft and another in the warp. The slope or degree of the angle of the diagonal rows can be altered by varying the number, tightness or size of yarns. Because it resembles the skeleton of a herring fish, this woven pattern came to be known as herringbone.

Although similar, a herringbone pattern differs from that of a chevron. To achieve either one, a twill weave is required. However, a chevron is a true zigzag with the direction reversing at the exact point of the change, while a herringbone has a break, and actually jumps one or more places, when the direction changes.

Below is an image of a herringbone weave:

Tablecloth Sizes

Q: What size tablecloth do you need for your table?

A: It is easy to calculate the proper size of a tablecloth:

• For a square or oblong table:

• Measure the length and width of the table.
• Decide on the length of the drop you prefer. The drop is the amount of fabric that hangs down from the top of the table. A typical drop ranges between 10 to 12". If you want your tablecloth to go to the floor, then the drop would usually be 30" (a typical table height), but measure just in case. 
• Add the amount of the drop multiplied by two to both the length and the width of the table.
• For example: If the table measures 42" wide x 84" long and you want a 12" drop, then the oblong tablecloth should measure 66" (42" width + 24" total drop) x 108" (84" length + 24" total drop).
•  For a round table:
• Measure the diameter of your table.
• Decide on the length of the drop.
• Add the amount of the drop multiplied by two to the diameter of the table. 
• For example: If the table measures 60" in diameter and you want it to go to the floor with a 30" drop, then the round tablecloth should measure 120" (60" diameter + 60" total drop). 

Also remember to allow for shrinkage and add the appropriate amounts to your final calculations. A linen tablecloth or a cotton tablecloth may shrink approximately 4% to 8%. For a ringspun polyester tablecloth there is no shrinkage. 













Brought to you by SFERRA**

Tablecloth Shapes

Q: How does the shape of a table make a difference when selecting a tablecloth?

A: Tables are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. An oblong is a rectangle having length greater than width. An oval also has length greater than width, but it has continuous curved sides. Below are images of some common table shapes:

A rectangle, a rounded rectangle, and a racetrack are all oblong and use an oblong tablecloth. A round table that is lengthened with leaves is an oblong, racetrack shaped table.

You may use an oblong tablecloth on an oval shaped table, but be advised that the tablecloth will "spire" in the corners with a longer drop towards the floor than on the sides and this is perfectly normal.















brought to you by SFERRA**

What is a flange?

A flange is a classic decorative accent, typically added along three sides of a duvet cover and on all four sides of a pillow sham. A flange extends beyond the dimensions of a duvet or sham, creating a large, elegant flourish. The finest linens use flanges, as well as hemstitching, to create the signature look and soft drape of luxury bedding.

Brought to you by SFERRA**

What is Eiderdown?

Eiderdown is down that comes from the Eider, a large sea duck that lives on the northern coasts of Europe, Asia, and North America. The Eider's nest is built close to the sea and is lined with the celebrated eiderdown. This soft and warm lining has long been harvested for filling comforters and pillows. Although eiderdown comforters and pillows are now a rarity, eiderdown harvesting continues and is sustainable, as it can be done after the ducklings leave the nest with no harm to the birds. Eiderdown is exceptionally soft and has insulating properties far superior to any other down.

Eiderdown is a unique plumage. Fill power cannot accurately be measured because of the way each cluster clings to the other. Typical goose and duck down tends to sit loosely in a product and can shift and "flow." Eiderdown tends to hold together and is generally more resilient. This clingy behavior also makes it better at trapping air and, therefore, a better insulator.

Stop by A Touch of Lace to pick out your very own eiderdown comforter!







*Brought to you by SFERRA

Alpaca is a wool, but what type of animal is the alpaca?

The alpaca is a long-haired, domesticated member of the camel family, native to South America, and highly-prized for its silky, long-fiber wool. In appearance, the alpaca resembles a llama.

Its fleece produces a lustrous, silken natural-fiber yarn. Usually, less than half of the annual alpaca shear, the undercoat, is of a quality suitable for weaving textiles. The remainder of the shear is guard hair, or overcoat - coarser, straighter hairs - which must be removed prior to spinning.

Alpaca is considered by many to be as soft and warm as cashmere, yet is lighter in weight, producing yarn with greater durability and strength. Its softness is derived from the fine diameter of its fibers; because the alpaca's hair fibers have a smoother surface than most other wool-producing animals, textiles made from alpaca yield a beautiful sheen and luster. And while it has similarities to sheep's wool, alpaca fibers are naturally hypoallergenic because they contain no lanolin.

Stop in A Touch of Lace to pick a beautiful alpaca throw, offered in various colors!







*Brought to you by SFERRA

Why Do Some Cotton Sheets Pill?

Pilling occurs when fibers in the fabric break, tangle, and "ball up." The shorter the fibers used in the fabric, the most likely the chance for breakage. The more brittle the fiber, the more breakage will occur. Cotton sheets may pill for a variety of reasons.

What pilling looks like:

 Generally, the longer the cotton fabric, and the tighter the twist of the yarn, the most stable the fabric will be and the less chance there will be for pilling. Even the finest of fabrics can pill without proper care, handling, and laundering. Disregarding care instructions may cause fabric to wear and pill. For instance, using chlorine bleach and excessive fabric softener can weaken the fibers, and drying at high heat levels can cause fibers to break.

As an individual sleeps, the act of tossing, turning, and moving against weakened fibers creates friction. Over time, this friction can cause these fibers to break (and then, to pill). This is why fitted sheets tend to pill more heavily at the foot of the bed, where the most abrasive and frequent movement occurs.

The best way to prevent pilling is to follow the care instructions. For the care of fine linens, a short wash cycle with gentle detergent is recommended. Then, use a low-heat setting during the drying cycle and remove the bedding while still slightly damp. Please take note that even the agitation of the washing machine or the tumbling of the dryer can cause breakage, so never overfill the washer or dryer to avoid additional friction during these cycles. Also, avoid laundering your sheets with other items, such as towels, for the high nap on a towel may cause a breakdown of the cotton fibers. To be safe, launder sheets seperately.

It should be noted that, because of the differences in construction, Percale weave have less of a tendency to pill than Sateen weaves. So, if in doubt, go with a Percale.








*Brought to you by SFERRA

Do You Use Bleach?

Dishwashing detergents use chlorine bleach, benzoyl peroxide, or perborate in the liquid, gel, or powder formulas. Toothpaste and tooth whitening aids use hydrogen peroxide to clean and brighten your smile. Acne preparations often have benzoyl peroxide, and hair colorings might contain hydrogen peroxide to do their work!

Sink cleansers, mildew removers, laundry stain removers, and brightening detergents will frequently have one of the three most common bleaches as a component.

Remember that bleaches include hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, and chlorine. Whenever a label says it will whiten, or brighten or disinfect, bleach may be part of the product- and concentrated amounts can cause a color change! So handle these products with care.

Here is a breakdown of what products contain the following ingredients:

ACID
Moisturizers, skin care products, hand sanitizer, hand lotions, deodorant, tanning products and sun block, callus removers, eye and nose drops, bubble bath, hair conditioner, fade creams, cough syrup and children's liquid medicines, joint pain creams and lotions, perfumes


ALKALINE
Shampoo, toothpaste, soap, depilatories, disinfectants, ammonia, hair dye, Drano, Windex, bath gel, shave cream, some deodorants

BLEACH
Toothpaste, teeth whitening kits, acne medications, some moisturizers, hair lightening products, household cleaning and sanitizing products, mildew removers, shower spray cleaner


ALCOHOL
Rubbing alcohol, perfume and cologne, body sprays, facial toners and astringents

Are bleach and fabric softener okay? No way.

Here at A Touch of Lace, we are asked on a weekly basis if it's okay to use chlorine bleach or fabric softener to wash fine linens. Thanks to our friends at SFERRA they've provided us with the perfect response and, we must say, we couldn't have said it better ourselves:

A: NO, it is not okay to use chlorine bleach or fabric softener when washing fine linens. Chlorine bleach will cause fading and discoloration. In addition, it will break down and permanently weaken the cotton fibers. It may also leave a residue on the fabric. It is equally important to ensure that your linens do not come in contact with other forms of household bleach products, such as face creams or toothpaste. If necessary, an oxygen-based bleach may be used - It is safe for use on almost all washable fabrics and colors. When using an oxygen-based bleach, the chemical ingredient oxidizes to help remove soil and organic matter brightening the fabric and removing stains.

Fabric softener is designed to coat fibers in oils, waxes, and fragrances that might make the fabric feel soft, but the build-up of chemicals can damage the fabric. In addition, fabric softeners clog the pores of Egyptian cotton sheets, preventing them from breathing and decreasing the luster and gloss of the appearance. High quality Egyptian cotton linens do not need to be treated with fabric softener and, actually, with repeated washings and dryings, become softer naturally.



A Touch of Lace offers linen wash that will make your linens feel and look impeccable!

We're Having a Spring Fling!

A Touch of Lace is excited to announce our Spring Fling Sale!! We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate this weather than with a fabulous sale! All tabletop (tablecloths, napkins, and place mats) are 20% off now through March 31st. We have cotton, linen, lace, everything you could imagine!

Hosting Passover or Easter this year? The best way to impress your guests is with elegant table linens!

Do you have an unusual table size? Don't fret, our sale includes special orders (inbound shipping not included)! There's less than two weeks left, so hurry in and place your order!

What is a Matelassé?

Here at A Touch of Lace we are always asked what the difference is between a matelassé and a coverlet. So we're here today to let you know what exactly a matelassé is.
Matelassé (pronounced matt-le-say) is a French word meaning padded, lined or quilted. It is used to describe fabric that appears to be quilted, but actually has no padding within the fabric. Specialty jacquard looms are used to give a matelassé fabric a unique appearance or intricate designs, raised patterns, indentations, and the padded look often associated with quilts.

Below is one of SFERRA's newest matelassé styles, Asti.

What is a Satin Stitch?

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

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!!

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?

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?

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

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

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!

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.