Actually, the quality of cotton sheets depends on several factors, including fiber quality, yarn size, finishing, thread count and construction. A fabric with a thread count of high-quality fibers can have a better hand, or feeling to the touch, than a thread count of inferior-quality fibers or twisted threads. In the world of cotton, the length of the fiber is an indication of quality.
In Egyptian cotton, the fibers -- also called staples -- are longer than in other types of cotton. Longer staples equal a stronger thread and more durable fabric. A process called carding, where smaller fibers get worked out, leaving the longer fibers behind, further increases the quality of raw cotton fibers [source: Yves Delorme ].
And combing, another process, removes even more small fibers. After that, the clean cotton fibers get spun into threads and woven into fabrics. The fabric then goes through two processes: singeing and mercerizing. The singeing process burns off fuzz that might develop later into piling on sheets, and take away the smooth feel. Mercerizing is a process done under pressure to increase strength and to help it accept dye. With increased consumer awareness, the halcyon days of bloated thread counts may be coming to an end.
In choosing sheets, Consumer Reports makes this recommendation: "Pick a sheet between and thread count that meets your other criteria. Paying more for higher thread count is wasting money " [source: Consumer Reports ]. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Home Decor. Bedroom Decor. When it comes to quality, this where a brand can and will inflate their figures.
If they weave two strands of yarn together into a two-ply construction, then in essence, they can double the count. The supposed amount of threads would then triple. They reinforce it by combining pieces of yarn!
As you have gathered by now, the answer to this is not black and white. This number is calculated by counting the number of threads in a square inch of fabric. Both the horizontal and vertical strands are counted. We recommend using it as a guide and quality check for your bed sheets.
You should be looking for a range from to If the number is between and , then the sheets are going to be rough and not at all soft. A number over means that the fibers are likely woven together to get an inflated figure. The overlapping and extra weaving could also mean that the fabric will be rougher. Egyptian cotton is some of the best material available. The fibers, also known as staples, are longer and more durable than most other cotton yarn.
At one time, this fabric was only available in Egypt, but now it can be found worldwide. The same principles apply to Egyptian cotton as regular cotton. The general range of to is what to look for, though counts in the range of to will likely be the softest. Buying bedding is a big decision.
After all, your bedding comes in contact with your skin for several hours a day! No matter how perfect your mattress is, scratchy, rough, and uncomfortable sheets can turn a blissful night of sleep into endless hours of tossing and turning. The more yarns that fit into a square inch, the smoother, denser, and more durable the fabric. Fine yarn is also more expensive to produce, thus resulting in pricier sheets and why densely woven sateen is more expensive than percale.
Cheap sheets are made with thicker yarns, resulting in lower thread counts and a rougher feel. The best yarn is made from long-staple or extra-long-staple ELS cotton; longer threads of cotton fiber in each yarn help those alternating warp and weft yarns stay smooth and flat.
You can read a longer explanation of this topic in our post about whether Egyptian-cotton sheets are worth splurging for. When you see counts above for percale or for sateen, that sometimes means the manufacturers are using ply —the number of single threads twisted together in yarn—to artificially inflate the thread count, namely counting two-ply yarns as two yarns instead of one. That means a thread-count sheet made with two-ply yarns might be advertised as 1, thread count.
Single-ply yarn is more pliable and lends itself to softer fabrics than those containing multiple plies of yarn.
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