From the book, Making a Home
Practical and pretty sheets on your bed can refresh a room with comfort and beauty.
Material quality and style are equally important in selecting the proper sheets for your bedding needs.
These days a wide range of sheets are available from a wide range of both quality and discount stores as well as online outlets.
Here are some helpful tips and suggestions to help determine what and how much to purchase as you sort through the wide array of available options.
One thing is certain: Crisp, white, quality sheets never go out of style and are always a good selection whether as part of a set or purchased singly to mix and match. Sheets in colors, prints, plaids, and patterns are easy to find in all sizes and price ranges.
Keep in mind, however, that on budget-priced sheets, frequent washing tends to fade colors, and they can be less durable (i.e., you may see some early pilling in more heavily used areas of the sheet).
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Thread Count Facts
Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count, the softer and smoother the bed linens.
Thread count also determines whether a sheet is muslin or percale. Sheets with a thread count of 140 to 180 are muslin; everything higher is percale.
The most common percale sheets have thread counts of 180 to 200. Higher quality sheets have a 250 to 300 thread count and feel silky to the touch.
Look for a minimum thread count of 200 when selecting sheets (for cotton/polyester sheets, 220 or more is a good choice). Sheets with a very high thread count (300 to 400) are considered luxury quality.
Sheet Materials
* For comfort and durability, cotton is still king. One-hundred-percent cotton is a natural, breathable fabric.
* About 90 percent of all sheets in the U.S. are woven from American upland cotton, which is grown in the southern tier of states from Virginia to California. However, sheets (and clothing) with a higher thread count are also woven from extra-long-staple cottons, such as Egyptian.
* Flannel, muslin, oxford, percale, and sateen weaves are most commonly used for cotton sheets. Look for wrinkle-resistant cotton sheets as an alternative to stiff cotton-polyester blends. Machine-washable, combed cotton percale with a thread count of 200-250 will provide long wear.
* Percale, which is tightly woven, is a basic weave for sheeting, as is sateen.
* Muslin sheets are at a lower price point than percale; prices are based on the thread counts.
* Flannel sheets are typically used in cold climates or in winter because the napped finish provides warmth.
* Cotton/polyester blend sheets (50/50 or 60/40) resist wrinkling but can be stiff. Look for a high thread count (above 220) to ensure quality in cotton-polyester blends.
* Oxford cloth, similar to the dress shirting fabric, translates into a soft but heavy sheet.
* Silk satin sheets are ideal for cold climates because the material traps warmth. These sheets feel smooth and luxurious, but they are expensive and must be dry-cleaned. Avoid satin-style sheets made of polyester; they feel scratchy against the skin.
