Bed linens are one of
the most important purchases an individual can make for their own
personal comfort. Depending upon one’s budget and expectations, bed
linens can be an inexpensive purchase or a major investment. Linens are
made from a variety of fabrics with several finishes providing the sheet
with a soft and lustrous “hand,” or feel to the fabric.
Inexpensive linens are commonly made from muslin, which is a cotton or
combination fabric with other synthetic fabric, content and are usually
more coarse to the touch. Percale is often the fabric chosen for bed
linens and it is softer and finer feeling than muslin. The very nicest
feel to a sheet or pillowcase will come from a fabric that has been
treated and woven in such a way as to provide a satin or ultra smooth
somewhat shiny appearance.
Thread counts have become popular to note on linens in the recent past
and can often provide a consumer with a tighter woven, and most often
therefore a finer denier (the number of stitches per inch). Thread
counts are noted from 150 to 250 and these are ordinary and nothing to
write home about as far as softness or feel unless they have a satin or
sateen finish applied to the threads. The greater the thread count, it
is assumed, the finer and the more luxurious the bedding is. This may or
may not be true. If material is woven with a fine gauge thread such as
used in Egyptian cotton linens, then the feel or hand of the sheet will
be soft, slightly shimmery and will give those using them the sensation
of ultimate luxury. As with most products, consumers can plan on
spending anywhere from $30.00 for an inexpensive muslin sheet set, or if
they choose to really splurge, fine sateen, 400-600 thread count linens
may cost upwards of $100-$250 per sheet. Look for White-Sales and other
discounts at stores selling linens. There are many opportunities
to purchase premium linens without paying the premium cost.
Maureen Renard
Some of our Bed Linen
Stores:
Cuddledown
Linen Place
Textile Shop
The
Company Store
