Fabric Facts

All of our fabrics are shipped in certain quantities which are subject to slight variations in color shades due to different dye lots.

What is "Percale"?
The content of percale can vary widely. Though many people assume that "percale" means a polyester-cotton blend, this is untrue. A percale can be made of 100% cotton, 100% polyester, or any combination in between. Even a high thread count 60/40 percale blend won't be as soft or luxuriant as a lower thread count 100% cotton. Also, a dark colored cotton percale will feel stiffer than a lighter colored percale with the same thread count.

What about Cotton?
Even within cotton itself, there are many differences in grade. Our own domestic cotton is an excellent breed called "pima" cotton. This is a long-staple cotton, and is relatively inexpensive, considering its high quality. The fertile Nile valley which also produces the same breed of Pima Cotton as the United States, calls their more luxuriant textile "Egyptian Cotton" which is woven into the absolute best percales. However, since it must be imported from Egypt, it carries with it a heavy price tag.

What is Sateen?
Sateen is usually a cotton fabric that has a soft feel. Like percale, sateen does not refer to the material of the sheet. It refers to the method in which the sheet was woven. The weave is what gives the sateen sheet its soft, luxurious feel. The material is lustrious and smooth to the touch. Only carded or combed yarns are used. The best quality sateen is mercerized to give it a higher sheen.

100% Cotton Flannel
Surpassing even our 100% cotton percales in soft texture, our pure cotton flannel fabrics are the epitome of tactile comfort and warmth. Anyone who has slipped a quality flannel shirt over their skin on a cold morning can attest to its undeniable appeal.
All of our flannel fabrics are made from 100% Cotton, and have a weight of 4.3 ounces per square yard. Each of them is imported from Portugal each Fall.

Our Flannel selection is best in November, and is usually depleted throughout the cooler months. For this reason, it is best to stock up for the season early.

Bridal Satin
Traditionally, satin comes in two varieties. Most satin that you'll encounter in the bedding industry is made from polyester, and is a low grade fabric. We do not carry bedding in polyester satin, but rather the higher quality Acetate satin.
Specifically, our satin is "Bridal" satin, which is the grade used in making bridal gowns. It is composed of a nylon acetate, and is a heavier, thicker, more luxurious satin than the polyester. It has two definite sides to it. The correct or "top" side is frictionless and bears a strong luster. The reverse side is somewhat dull, and bears the grain of the fabric.

This "Bridal" satin is only available to us in 45" wide bolts, and thus, all sheets made of "Bridal" satin must have a center seam. This center seam is reinforced, and generally does not cause a problem, but you should be aware that the sheets will come with it.