Having good quality bedding is vital to having full, restful nights of
sleep. We spend one third of our lifetime in bed making the
bedding you buy an invaluable purchase. Because of this,
investing a bit of time and money into your new set of bed linens is
critical to getting the best bedding for you. When you start shopping
for new sheets, pillow cases, mattresses and doonas, you might come
across terms that you are unfamiliar with which is why we have created
this guide to help you in your search.
Thread count
The thread count in sheets simply refers to the number of threads in a
single square inch. The threads counted include the lengthwise (warp)
threads and the widthwise (weft) threads. For example, if you were to
have 200 warp threads and 200 weft threads, you would have a thread
count of 400. To get a higher thread count, manufacturers use very fine
thread that will result in a higher number. What this means for you as a
consumer is you will get a much softer, more luxurious and lighter
fabric overall.
To get an idea of what different thread counts feel like, consider that a
thread count of 150 produces muslin which is a rougher feel than other
fabrics – it is definitely not soft and silky. Good quality sheets start
around 180 for thread count, while anything between 200 and 400 thread
counts are considered the highest quality. There are sheets that have a
thread count of 400 or more, but you have to be careful with these as
the fabric will be much finer and might wear quicker overtime. You will
also end up paying a much higher price tag for these sheets even though
they don't represent the best value for money.
When researching sheets and thread counts, you might also come across
the terms “single ply” and “multi-ply”. Multi-ply refers to two or more
fibres being twisted together to create a thread. In the past, some
manufacturers counted each fibre as a single thread, making the overall
thread count go up. Because of this, consumers are reluctant to buy
multi-ply sheets which is why single-ply has become the more popular
option in recent years.
When you are purchasing new sheets, keep in mind that the thread count
does not mean anything unless it is constructed with good quality
material. Generally speaking, the longer the fibres (staples) of the
thread, the better the quality of the fabric will be.
We've listed below the most common types of fabrics used in the
construction of cotton sheets:
Muslin
Muslin is at the low end of quality cotton sheets with a thread count of
128 – 140. Muslin is most commonly used for children’s character
bedding.
Flannel
Flannel is a blend of cottons and is not actually measured in
thread
count.
Instead, flannel is measured in ounces of material per square yard of
fabric,
with the higher number of ounces considered better quality.
Percale
Percale is a much softer, smoother and more tightly woven fabric than
muslin.
Percale comes in either 100% cotton or a 50/50 cotton/polyester blend.
The thread
count ranges from 180 – 200.
Sateen
Sateen has a more lustrous look and softer feel which is due to more
yarn surface on the face of the fabric as a result of the way it is
weaved.
Jacquard
Jacquard refers to the construction of the sheets. With a
jacquard
weave, different coloured threads are woven together to create a design
or pattern that will never fade.
Pima
Pima has a very soft, silky finish that is similar to Egyptian
cotton.
Pima is only grown in the US, Australia and Peru and has a thread count
of 200 – 300. You can also find “Supima” which is 100% cotton only grown
in Arizona, USA. Supima
stands for “super Pima” which is incredibly soft and luxurious.
Egyptian
Egyptian cotton is perhaps the most recognized of all cotton
sheets. It is a long staple cotton grown only in Egypt. It is one of the
strongest, softest and most lustrous of all cottons produced. Thread
counts for Egyptian cotton are 200 and above.
Bed sizes
Bed sizes vary from country to country. Below is a basic guide of
mattress size names and the corresponding US, UK and Australian sizes.
|
Bed Size Name |
Australia |
US |
UK |
|
Twin/Single |
91cm
x 191cm |
99cm
x 191cm |
91cm
x 191cm |
|
Full/Double |
137cm
x 191cm |
137cm
x 191cm |
137cm
x 191cm |
|
Queen
(US/Aus) King (UK) |
152cm
x 203cm |
152cm
x 203cm |
152cm
x 198cm |
|
King
(US/AUS) Super King (UK) |
183cm
x 203cm |
198cm
x 203cm |
183cm x 198cm |
| OUR CONTACTS |
| email: |
| info@whiteport.com.au |
| mail: |
| PO Box 206 |
| Gymea NSW 2227, Australia |
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