If you are shopping for fine bedding and linens, you may be thinking of making your purchase based on high thread-counts alone. Unfortunately, high thread-counts are not the single criteria that guarantee beautiful bedroom ensembles.

Fine beddings and luxury linens all start from high quality cotton threads that have been spun into fabric. The world's best and finest cotton has one main criterion - they all have long fibers or staples. Long staples for example produce a better cotton thread which can be combed finer to remove the smaller fibers. This allows the cotton to be spun into an even-finer and softer textured thread which results into a strong yet soft fabric. Egyptian cotton for example, is considered to be the longest staple in the world and is known for its consistent high quality. Egyptian cotton staples measure 1 to 2 inches long while other cottons of lesser quality fall into a 7/8 inch range. If you are buying bedding and you want to make sure you have the best, make sure labels say 100% Egyptian cotton only. Without the 100% Egyptian guarantee, you may be purchasing a product that is made up of a blend of Egyptian cotton threads mixed with cotton threads of lesser quality. Consequently, you will wind up with an inferior product.

With modern technologies and equipment in the milling and weaving sectors, more threads can be manufactured within a one-inch square than ever before. This leads to the 'high-thread count' phenomenon. More threads per square inch are desirable as the fabric is tighter, stronger and has longer wearing power. In the fabric industry, high thread-count is the measure of the number of fabric threads (lengthwise and widthwise) in one square inch of fabric. However, a high thread-count can be misleading. Thread-counts for luxury linens can be 500 threads per square inch or higher. With thread-counts this high, the thread has been plied or twisted together several times and then woven together. This twisted yarn is then counted as double or triple the yarn within the square inch radius.

The National Textile Association, which lists the international standards for the textile-fabric industry says that it is a practice to count each thread separately when taking a thread-count reading from fabrics. Therefore, when all threads are counted in a two or three-ply sheet for example, consumers could easily be deceived as using two or three threads together does not necessarily mean the fabric will be more luxurious or longer-wearing. When the threads in a one square inch are counted though, the higher number will be the one that is used and listed on the label.

Other factors that play a major role when purchasing quality beddings and linens lies in the weaving process and in the final finishing process of the fabric. Weaving has to do with the type of weave process selected. For example, if the thread is woven into a satin weave, then the end result will be a fabric that is silk-like to the touch and extremely soft. On the other hand, a traditional linen weave produces a more stiff and crisper appearance and feel. The finishing process is the final step in the production of the fabric. This step contributes to the brightness of the colors, helps to reduce wrinkling and makes the fabric stronger. This final process will also add to the overall appearance and the final feel of the bedding. To make sure you have quality, shopping for manufacturer labels is important. Make sure your beddings and linens have the endorsement of a reputable company that will guarantee its product and endorse its quality.

Most department stores sell bed linens for example with an average thread-count of 180 to 320. According to consumer reports, cotton and cotton-blend sheets with a thread count of 180 to 200, stand-up to a lengthy use of the product while still providing satisfactory comfort. A thread-count of 'standard' cotton or muslin is around 150. Good quality cotton or muslin sheets start at 180-thread-count; a count of 200 thread-count or higher is considered percale or a soft fabric that washes and wears well and is guaranteed not to wrinkle. Luxury sheets have thread-counts of 500 and beyond.

The key to wise shopping is of course knowledge of what you should be looking for. The wise consumer is an informed one. When shopping for beddings and linens, thread-count alone is not your only criteria that will guarantee a smart bedding choice. On-line information is a fast and easy way to access all the information you need to inform yourself and to make direct purchases. What's more, it is also a fun thing to do!

About the author :

Monika Konefal is a freelance photo-journalist, author and publisher. You can find more articles on beddings and linens at http://www.comfortersbeddingduvets.com/index.html

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