Threaded Bliss - How to select the perfect sheets for Newlyweds!
It's wedding season! And we know that choosing the perfect gift for a bride and groom can be a difficult task. Modern couples live a more casual lifestyle and the fine china and silver sets you'll find on a traditional registry have limited usage potential. But, when you consider how often they'll be pulling back the covers to climb into bed (every night!), gifts of fine linens and down pillows become the obvious choice!
Open any home decor magazine or do a Pinterest search and the options for luxury bedding are certainly plentiful and may seem limitless. We have two words though, that will help you cut through the visual overload and narrow your search for best bedding gifts: Thread Count.
Thread count is defined as the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch of a fabric. And it’s a well known fact that higher thread count means higher quality. Fine linens reflect life in the old adage “pretty is as pretty does.” No matter how gorgeous the pattern, vibrant the colors or expensive the price tag – the true test of a textile is whether it feels soft to the touch and can hold up over time.
Another term that you will see mentioned in respect to thread count is the “ply” of the fabric. Ply refers to the number of threads that are wrapped together into one single thread. Single-ply fabrics use threads on their own as opposed to double-ply fabrics that are made up of two pieces of thread twisted together. A thread count of 300 could be made of 150 double-ply threads or could contain 300 single-ply threads. Heavier, more durable sheets will be made from double-ply fabric. Single-ply fabric sheets are more delicate and will appear thinner.
But buyer beware! Some manufacturers will claim to have a higher thread count by using double ply thread of cheaper cotton. So remember that while a high thread count is one sign of high quality it’s not the only factor. A sheet of a higher-quality fiber with a lower thread count will feel softer and stand up to washing better than a sheet of a lower-quality fiber with a higher thread count.
Basically – cotton sheets with a high thread count are the way to go…but not all cottons are created equal. “Long fiber” cotton makes sheets softer and won't pill and lint like ones woven from shorter fibers. Egyptian cotton offers the longest fibers.
Bedside Manor has a wide selection of high quality linens! Here are a handful of fan favorites:
Starting at the top of line… Giza 45 is the most exclusive variety of Egyptian cotton. It is even renowned as "The Queen of Egyptian Cotton". Sferra's Giza 45 Luxe collection is made in Italy and available only by custom order through a handful of retailers across the country. We are honored to be the exclusive dealer in North Carolina. We also stock several other styles of Sferra's Giza 45 bedding (Jacquard, Quatrefoil, Severina, Trina/Lace, Medallion, Percale and Sateen), but Luxe must be custom ordered.
Looking for sheets with an elegant embellishment? The Grace Bedding Collection by Matouk features a delicate swiss lace border.
Or a contemporary stripe? The Giza 45 Stripe is sleek and sophisticated.
The Gatsby Collection from Matouk offers simple sophistication with their highest thread count to date. Modern and tailored, the trim colors available are Pool, Champagne, Charcoal, Silver and White. There is also an Ivory colorway with Champagne trim.
Need more color? Sferra’s Giotto Collection offers a variety of solids in their classic (and most popular) sateen.
Finding the perfect bedding may take a little time and research, but that special couple is worth it. Never settle for lower quality! The best sheets will offer comfort and sanctuary, and prove durable enough to stand the test of time. Huh – kind of like a good marriage…