Thread count refers to the number of woven vertical and horizontal threads in a one-inch square of fabric. The higher the thread count, the softer and more comfortable the fabric. Also, the higher the thread count, the more durable and less shrinkage.
Thread-count in bed sheets range from 80 to 1200 and prices vary. There are many factors, including ply, weave and yarn size, that may influence thread count.
Some of the more popular weaves (or fabric types) in bed sheets are:
Percale: a closely woven. Plain weave, spun fabric made from both carded and combed cotton. Percale sheeting is the finest available. The high tread count gives the fabric a silk-like feel.
Flannel: a soft, medium weight plain or twill weave fabric, usually made of cotton with a napped finish on one or both sides. The raised surface provides a fluffy appearance and supper soft, cozy feel. Great for warmth during the cold winter months.
Jersey: a plain stitch knitted cloth. The fabric is knitted in circular, flatbed or warp knitted methods. Very elastic with good draping qualities.
Sateen: a weave construction that has more yarn surface on the face of the cloth than other basic weaves giving a softer hand and more lustrous look.
Egyptian cotton comes from a species of cotton known as Gossypium barbadense. It is not always found in Egypt. Less than 5% of the world’s cotton is from the plant, which can be found in Egypt, Australia, China, India, USA, Sudan, and Israel. Threads spun from this type of cotton are finer than others.
Sheeting Quality Indicators
1. Fiber Quality
2. Yarn Size
3. Finishing
4. Thread Count & Construction
Fiber Quality: 100% cotton sheets are by far the most popular and widely used type of sheets. (We do also like silk, cotton/silk, modal and linen; but we’re going to focus on 100% cotton.) There is a huge variety in the quality of 100% cotton sheets. The highest quality cotton is long staple cotton. Staple refers to the length of the cotton fiber; the longer the fiber the better because it creates stronger and finer yarns. Among long staple cottons, the longest are Pima and Egyptian. Also note that not all Egyptian cotton is long staple, only the cotton grown in designated areas (Giza lots) is of the premium quality that is associated with "Egyptian cotton".
Yarn Size: The fineness of each yarn is what the term yarn size refers to - the higher the yarn size, the finer the yarn. (think of men’s suiting where they often speak of 100s wool etc) Finer yarns allow for lighter, more supple fabric. Higher thread counts are created with finer yarns, as more of them can be woven into a square inch. Also, super fine yarns can be twisted together, creating 2 ply yarns that can then be woven into sheeting. When 2 ply yarns are made with a very high yarn size, they make a nice product that is not at all weighty or blanket-like.
Finishing: After the cotton yarns are woven into a fabric, the fabric needs to be finished. This includes singeing and mercerizing. The singeing process is vital; it burns off the tiny fuzz that can later develop into pilling on your sheets. Mercerizing is a treatment conducted under tension, in order to increase strength, luster, and affinity for dye. Bed lines of lesser quality may not be singed or mercerized. High quality bed linens will always be.
Thread Count & Construction: Construction refers to how the thread count is achieved (# of warp and weft yarns, # of picks in the weft, use of 2 ply yarns etc.) To achieve higher thread counts, sometimes 2 ply yarns are used and sometimes multiple yarns (picks) are inserted into the weft. In weave quality terms alone, the best fabric will be made with single ply yarns and have a single pick. The highest thread count you can get with this type of construction is 360. Above that, 2 ply yarns and/or multi-picks must be used.
Incoming search terms:
- thread count guide
- long staple single ply cotton with singeing finish
- Cotton Knitted Fabric
- Influence of fabric count on the quality of knitted fabric
- lustrous fabric
- mens suiting fabric
- thread cotton 100s
