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Is Thread Count Really The Best Sign Of Good Bedding?

Thread count is a term that has become a popular form of defining the quality of linen in the past decade or two. While it is an important aspect of quality linen, it is by no means the only factor that determines if the linen that you are considering purchasing is in fact good bedding. There are other aspects such as the quality of the fiber used in manufacturing the sheets, the yarn size used in the weave and the way that the fabric is finished. Let’s look at these various aspects in some more detail.

Thread Count as a Measure of Quality

Thread count is defined as the number of threads per square inch of fabric. Technically speaking, a higher thread count usually indicates a finer weave, and therefore a higher quality of linen. However, when other aspects of quality are sacrificed for the sake of having a higher thread count and more affordable prices, it does not always result in higher quality linen being produced. Thread count often looks impressive as a number but in reality, there is little difference in the quality of thread counts that exceed 300. Sometimes a linen sheet with a thread count of just 270 may feel far superior to one that boasts of a thread count of 600, for example.

The Complexities of Thread Count and Weaving Fabric

The way that a higher thread count is achieved in the weave process is quite interesting. A typical weave will consist of a horizontal and vertical set of threads that are woven together. The vertical threads are referred to as the warp and the horizontal threads as the weft. In order to get a higher thread count, sometimes two-ply yarns are used. Multiple yarns can also be inserted into the weft. These multiple yarns are known as picks. Because industry standards define a yarn as a single thread regardless of whether it is a single-ply or two-ply yarn, most linen manufacturers use the method of single-ply yarns and add multiple picks to increase the thread count. Sometime manufacturers may use a two-ply yarn that doesn’t have sufficient yarn size. The result is a sheet that feels heavy like a blanket. In other attempts to increase the thread count, manufacturers may insert as many as eight picks into the weft. This number of picks serves no purpose other than to increase the thread count. It does not actually increase the quality of the linen. Rather, often the multiple picks can actually be seen and felt in the weave which means that even though it has a high thread count, it is actually inferior quality linen.

How Do Yarn Size, Finishing and Fiber Quality Affect the Quality of Linen?

A very fine piece of yarn will have high yarn size. Finer yarns are used to create fabrics with a softer, lighter and supple feel to them. In terms of linens, yarns with sizes of between 40 and 100 are generally used. In rare cases, a yarn size of 120 may be used, resulting in a luxurious type of linen being produced; however, this type of linen would also be very expensive. In terms of fiber quality, the most common type of fiber used for linen is cotton. Sometimes the cotton is blended with silk and other fibers but most often when talking about quality linens, people will be referring to 100 percent cotton fibers. The quality of the cotton is defined by staples which is the length of the cotton fiber. Egyptian cotton has a worldwide reputation for producing the highest quality cotton because it is mostly long staple cotton. The way that a piece of linen is finished off will also affect the quality of the linen. Typically, a quality linen with be finished off through the process of singeing and mercerizing. Mercerizing is a process that increases the strength of the fabric and it’s affinity for dye. It is a treatment that is performed under tension to achieve this. Singeing is a process that burns off the small bits of fuzz that are left on the fabric after weaving. This improves the quality and overall feel of the linen. Sometimes inferior quality linen is not finished off.

What Is a Good Indicator of High-Quality Linen?

While thread count, yarn size and fiber staples are good indicators of linen quality, ultimately it comes down to touch. If you are looking for high-quality linen, you want it to feel silky smooth and soft against your skin. Use thread count as a basic guide when shopping for linen but remember to also consider other aspects that define the quality of the linen.

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Cotton: What You Should Know Before You Purchase a King Cotton Blanket

If you are in the market for a king cotton blanket, you need to be aware the not all cotton is created equally. Cotton fabrics come in a large amount of styles so having a label that says 100% cotton doesn’t give you much information. Of course, it is better to read 100% cotton on a label rather than reading synthetic materials in blends.

Cotton is an excellent material to choose for a blanket, as cotton is breathable and absorbent. Cotton draws moisture away from the body which is ideal for use in the summer as it will help to keep you cool and dry. In the winter cotton blankets will also keep you warm, making the material very versatile.

Blankets and sheets made from cotton are less likely to be a trigger for allergies and provide a nice, lightweight texture.

The differences in types of cottons come from how fine they are threaded. Cotton products consisting of a 200 thread count are the generally the lowest quality available. The thread counts range from 200 to 1000, with 1000 being of the best quality, and all the numbers in between are the medium grades.

Another factor in quality is where the cotton comes from. Cotton requires a warm climate to grow and fairly high humidity produces the best crops. A large amount of the world’s cotton is grown in the southwest portion of the United States, as well as in Africa and India. The finest cotton grown in the US is called Pima cotton, which is known for its ability to create high quality materials.

Nonetheless, America does not produce the finest quality cotton. The best cotton comes from Egypt. Known for its ability to grow in lengths up to 2 1/4 inches, this high quality cotton is grown on the banks of the Nile River. Egyptian cotton is commonly referred to as ELS cotton, a category meaning extra long staple.

This cotton can be used to create threads of a much smaller diameter, and produces a much stronger thread and makes high density weaves possible. Egyptian cotton will feel much softer on your skin, and it ages very well. The more you wash it, the softer it becomes. Egyptian cotton is also much more durable and will last much longer than cheaper threads.

Egyptian cotton is more expensive than cotton from other nations and it is widely regarded as one of the highest quality fabrics available. So if you want to sleep like a king, obtain a King Cotton Blanket made from high density weave Egyptian cotton.

Learn more about king blanket. Stop by Colleen Stuart’s site where you can find out all about down throw blanket and what it can do for you.

Pike Street 280-Thread Count Damask Stripe Cotton White Down Comforter

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Pike Street 330-Thread Count Swiss Dot Cotton White Goose Down Comforter

Enjoy a cozy rest year-round under the Pike Street plush down comforter. Filled with 40 total ounces of white goose down, the comforter offers medium warmth so it can be enjoyed in Spring and Summer, as well as in the cooler Fall and Winter. Boasting a fill power of 600, the comforter provides a great down value. Fill power indicates how many cubic inches of space an ounce of down will occupy, and anything at 600 is considered in the industry to be excellent. The higher the fill p…
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Pike Street 280-Thread Count Damask Stripe Cotton Down Alternative Comforter

Amazon.com
Enjoy a cozy rest all year-round under the Pike Street plush down-alternative comforter. Filled with 50 total ounces of polyester fiber, the comforter provides light warmth ideal for enjoyment in the Spring and Summer months, as well as in the Fall and Winter. Due to a 10-inch, end-to-end sewn-through box construction and mitered border, the filling stays evenly distributed and securely in place. On the outside, the comforter’s 280-thread-count cotton cover is crafted wi (more…)

Pike Street 330-Thread Count Swiss Dot Cotton Down Alternative Comforter

Amazon.com Review
Enjoy a cozy rest all year-round under the Pike Street plush down-alternative comforter. Filled with 45 total ounces of polyester fiber, the comforter provides a medium level of warmth ideal for use in any temperature. Due to a 14-inch, end-to-end sewn-through box construction, the filling stays evenly distributed and securely in place. On the outside, the comforter’s 330-thread-count cotton cover is crafted with a handsome damask Swiss dot pattern and is double st (more…)