Your bed linen’s thread count is an important factor to consider when determining its quality. This metric will give you a good idea as to the fabric’s sturdiness and its price value. However, other factors also play a role in addition to the thread count, such as the material, yarn density and the weave.
In this blog article, we’ll give you an overview of the various thread counts and weaves available, as well as explain why fabrics are priced differently. We’ll then introduce you to a few popular bedding materials and explain how they’re woven and what their strengths are.
What is thread count and what does it indicate?
The thread count is used to indicate how many threads are contained within one square inch of a fabric. It therefore measures how many warp and weft threads have been woven per centimeter and how dense the fabric is. Warp threads are those threads that pass vertically through the fabric, while weft threads are woven horizontally.
If you're looking at high-quality bedding, you'll notice that the thread count is always indicated. Upscale bedding can reach a thread count of 600 or even over 800. High-quality bed linens generally have a thread count of around 200.
It’s often assumed that a higher thread count automatically equals better quality, since finer-woven fabrics feel softer. However, this is not always the case, which will be explained subsequently.
Does a higher thread count really stand for better quality?
Bedding with a high thread count almost always comes with a more expensive price tag. This is natural, since one assumes that the extra care taken will result in a fabric that feels smoother and more pleasant to the touch. However, this is not so easy to generalise, as the quality of a fabric depends on more than just its thread count.
An extremely high thread count means that there is less space between the threads, which in turn means that the fabric is less breathable. This can be a disadvantage if you’re looking for cooling bedding for the summer. This also becomes apparent when washing the item, as a more densely-woven duvet cover will take longer to dry.
Additionally, the material from which the fabric is made also plays a crucial role. For example, if poorer-quality cotton is used, the fabric will feel stiff after processing. So when on the lookout for new bedding, you should pay attention to what materials are used and for which purpose you want to use the bedding.
What influence does the thread count have on the quality of the bed linen?
The thread count indicates how many threads are used in one square inch of a fabric, as stated above. The yarn density, on the other hand, is used to determine how many yarns are contained in a thread and how thick the latter is. Threads can be either one yarn or more and are usually divided into single thread, double thread and multi thread. A yarn strand long and strong enough to be processed individually indicates higher quality.
Thus, threads made from one yarn are of higher quality than threads with several. If the threads have only one yarn, they can be made to feel softer and lighter. Threads made with more than one yarn, on the contrary, are generally heavier and feel rougher.
What types of weave are there?
Not only does the weave affect how the bedding ultimately looks, but it also affects how soft and heavy the fabric is. Standard weaves include the twill weave and the plain weave. We’ll now introduce the most common weaves of bedding materials:
The plain weave
The plain weave is one of the most common and is the basis for many other weaves. Here, the weft and warp threads are used alternately, creating a chessboard-like. In fabrics made with the plain weave, the bottom side ends up looking the same as the top side.
One advantage of the plain weave is that it is easy to create. In addition, the fabrics made with this weave tend to be quite strong and durable. However, complicated shapes cannot be made with the plain weave. Due to its high stability, the plain weave is perfect for bedding. For example, percale bedding is made with the plain weave.
The twill weave
In this weave, warp and weft threads are not used alternately; rather, one weft thread passes under the warp thread and then over two warp threads. For this reason, you see more warp threads on one side of the fabric and more weft threads on the other.
Curves and fancy shapes are easier to make with the twill weave. The drawback to this is that twill is inferior to plain weave in terms of stability.
The satin weave
Also known as the “atlas weave,” this weave is more frequently known by the term “satin weave.” Here, the weft thread passes under one warp thread and then over more than two warp threads. This results in a fabric which is shiny smooth to the touch on one side, while matte on the other.
Fabrics made in this way feel extremely soft against the skin and have an attractive sheen. Patterns can also easily be added to fabrics made with the satin weave. Since the weave requires a bit more skill than the plain or twill weave, fabrics made with the satin weave are usually a bit pricier.
The Panama weave
The Panama weave is basically a plain weave, but whereas only single warp and weft threads are used in the plain weave, the Panama weave uses several at once. This makes the fabric feel more robust and increases its durability. This weave is often used for fabrics with thick fibres.
High quality bed linen at Zizzz
At Zizzz, we offer bed linen made of two different weaves: cotton percale and cotton satin bed linen. All of our bedding products have a thread count over over 200 and are certified organic.
Our percale bed linen is available in different colour combinations; we also offer matching sheets and duvet covers. In addition to being GOTS-certified organic, these products are manufactured in Europe to keep transport distances as short as possible.
Our satin bedding is also made of organic cotton and is available in its natural ècru colour. These products are free of any chemicals and do not cause any skin irritation or allergic reactions. We also offer matching pillowcases and bed sheets made of satin. For children, we offer a kid's satin duvet cover with our classic lucky star motif.
Conclusion
Bed linen’s thread count is an indication of its quality, but is not the only factor that determines this. You should also pay attention to the weave and the materials used when on the market for new bedding. Luxury bedding can only be made from high-quality materials.