Linen Drawer: Your Guide To Understanding Fabrics

Many retailers of bed linen assume that we all understand the various terms and lingo associated with bedding and different fabrics. However, the team from Linen Drawer have found this not to be true. Words like thread count and Egyptian cotton may not be fully comprehended. This is why we bring you a guide to understanding fabric and making the right choice for your home.

When we speak about THREAD COUNT, we mean the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. The warp or lengthwise threads are counted and that number added to the weft or crosswise thread. The resulting sum is the thread count.

The higher the thread count the denser the weave, but a higher thread count does not necessarily mean that the fabric is better suited to your needs. 1000 Thread count fabric is heavy and very dense and can be very warm to sleep under, as it is less breathable.

Percale

Mention the word PERCALE and you either have a baffled look entering the eyes or a vague perception. Neither is helpful.

Percale is a closely woven plain weave fabric for end use bed linen, clothing, or industrial use. Percale has a crisp handle, is not shiny and has a dense look when held up to the light.

It is cool, breathable, and characterised by the delightful ‘crack’ sound when opening the folded product and shaking it.

Sateen

Nothing compares to the luxurious softness of SATEEN.

Sateen is the name of a type of weave, but also of fabric woven in this way. Sateen weave is characterised by a smooth glossy surface and soft luxurious handle.

Sateen fabric is usually woven from long staple cotton which gives it the sheen and softness. The surface of the fabric shows long weft/crosswise threads on the surface, unlike the regularity of the plain weave of percale fabric.

Egyptian Cotton

There is so much said about EGYPTIAN COTTON. Historically Egypt grew a type or genus of cotton know as Gossypium Barbadense which had longer and finer fibres (staples) than other cotton. This produced soft and strong fabric.

Unfortunately, the name has been corrupted and the product which is made from similar long staple cotton is then sold as Egyptian Cotton. The only way to guarantee authenticity is to buy Egyptian Cotton from a reliable and trusted retailer.

Only the proper genus Gossypium Barbadense can be made into real Egyptian Cotton with the relevant properties of softness and strength. Egyptian cotton is characterised by softness and durability. Linen Drawer Egyptian Cotton is certified for authenticity.

In conclusion the best advice when buying any type of bed linen is the following two statements:

“What feels right to you, is right for you” and “Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten”.

Visit Linen Drawer to find the right linen for you.
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