Bedding
The term 'bedding' is a generalised word covering the whole spectrum of products relating to the bed or more precisely, the linen cupboard. When we think of bedding we normally think of either fitted sheets, flat sheets and duvet covers but this also can refer to other bedding items such as valances, bedspreads, duvets, pillows and pillowcases to name but a few.....the list is endless.
Other important factors associated with bedding is the type and quality of the fabric used to create the product, natural fibres such as cotton and silk are more well known and used but other man-made speciality linens such as polyester and Coolmax offer good levels of comfort and softness but will outlast other materials such as microfiber. The most popular luxury bedding fabric has to be cotton or high derivatives such as Egyptian Cotton and Pima Cotton, these exceptionally strong and robust fibres can be woven to extremely high thread counts making them a premium product and only used for the very best premium branded bedding.
Thread count is very important when selecting a good range of bedding, this refers to the warp and weft of the fabric criss-crossing each other in a one inch square grid, this construction is then counted and the amount of time the fabric overlaps each other is deemed to be its thread count. Some bedding manufacturers twist the yarns to produce 'two ply' yarns which can then be counted as twice the amount of thread count, in effect doubling it. This is very popular with the very high thread counts which are over a 600 thread count plus, this method not only strengthens the fabric but stops the delicate yarns from twisting and snapping thereby reducing the effects of shrinkage and pilling which destroys the overall look of the finished bedding fabric.
Other terminology that is widely understood when used in the making of bedding is the term 'Percale'. This is often thought to be a type of construction or weave when is it really referring to a minimum thread count of 180 threads per square inch, any fabrics with a construction more than this will be deemed to be a percale fabric, this is the same for cotton and poly-cotton bedding materials.
Sateen is another term that refers to the way that the fabric is woven and constructed. Most cotton bedding is woven to higher thread counts than the minimum percale weave resulting in a sateen finish, this is a shiny effect that makes the bedding look rich and lustrous and shimmery in different light conditions. This sateen effect will be present in most fabrics that have a thread count of 300 and above.
If you have any questions or information you would like, please email us at sales@bedlinendirect.co.uk and we will endeavour to assist you as best we can.
