BED LINENS 101
ELEMENTS OF A LUXURY BED
DECORATIVE SHAMS
Decorative shams can make a real statement, and adding a row of grand shams in behind your regular sized shams will give drama and height to your look.
BEDSKIRT
A bedskirt is a piece of decorative fabric that is placed between the mattress and the box spring of a bed.
DUVET COVER
A duvet cover is the fabric shell that protects your duvet. Choose a cover that pulls the layers of your bed together and compliments the colours in your room.
DECORATIVE CUSHIONS
For a bold look, choose duchess, princess, or empress cushions. If you are looking for something a little more modest, choose a toss or a breakfast cushion.
PILLOWCASES
Pillowcases usually match the sheets. Like your fitted and flat sheets, they should be a soft percale weave or a plain sateen so they are as comfortable and smooth as possible.
FITTED SHEET
Since your fitted sheet is the closest thing to your skin, choose a soft fabric like cotton or silk. Pick a fitted sheet with a pocket that is three to five inches deeper than your mattress.
FLAT SHEET
Use a flat sheet under the duvet cover for added cleanliness. Fold the cuff over the top edge of the duvet cover for a smart yet inviting look.
TYPE OF FIBRES
BED LINEN CARE
With proper care your bed linens can remain clean and comfortable for decades.
WEAVES
PERCALE
Percale is characterized by its matte finish and crisp hand. It's simple over-under weave does not drape closely to the body, making it cool to the touch. It is perfect for hot sleepers or those living in warmer climates.
SATEEN
Sateen is characterized by its supple, smooth, and lustrous surface. It drapes softly over the sleeper and is warmer than a percale. Its opulent feel makes sateen the most popular weave for luxury bed linens.
TWILL
Twill is used when a heavier weight is desired and is suitable for making strong durable fabrics like denim. Twill is woven with diagonal lines on the face of the fabric.
THREAD COUNT
WHAT IS THREAD COUNT
Thread count is the total number of horizontal and vertical threads in a square inch of fabric. Thread count only matters if the thread itself is high quality.
If you make low quality short threads into a high thread count fabric, it is still going to be low quality. The fabric will feel stiff after laundering, wear out quickly, and pill easily.
Higher thread count fabric made from high quality thread is more luxurious and durable. Fiber quality and length, how well it is spun, quality of weaving, finishing, and dyeing are all more important factors than thread count, when determining fabric quality.
1 SQ IN
Lower Thread Count
Higher Thread Count
FAKE THREAD COUNTS
Some brands claim thread counts based on the number of strands that have been twisted into the threads, rather than the actual threads. It is misleading and illegal. A package may state 800 thread count, when in fact it is made up of 4 strand threads – and is actually 200 thread count. This is how a mill might use low quality cotton to make a cheap fabric and claim a high thread count.
FINISHINGS
BOURDON STITCH
A bourdon stitch creates a 3D effect by enclosing piping baton with a straight stitch.
BLANKET STITCH
A blanket stitch, also called Punto Cavallo in Italian, is a decorative stitch was traditionally done by hand. The thick thread can be seen from both sides of the blanket and is used to reinforce the edges.
HEM STITCH
A hem stitch is a decorative stitch along the stitching lines of hems and borders to create an open weave pattern.
TUCK PLEAT
A tuck pleat is a decorative fold secured with a line of stitching used to add detail to garments or linens.
SATIN STITCH
A satin stitch or damask stitch is a series of flat stitches that are used to completely cover a section of the fabric.
CUFF
Cuffs are made by turning back fabric or sewing a separate band of material to the edge of a garment or linens. They add thickness and structure to a textile.
CLOSURES
KNIFE EDGE SEAM ZIPPER
BUTTON BAND
