Egyptian Cotton sheets are all about the feeling against your skin.

It is the soft and cold side of the lids or the luxurious softness of the Egyptian cotton cushion. A nice touch on your skin is an experience you will never forget.

Egyptian cotton is considered one of the best cotton in the world, because Egypt is known to develop cotton with long fibers especially not found anywhere else. Long fibers produce a more durable product making Egyptian cotton the perfect choice for luxury bedding.

When you are buying Egyptian cotton sheets you should consider these things:

Weight

Something else to consider when buying your perfect bedsheets is weight. Even within one fiber type, there can be a huge variation in thickness, warmth and heaviness. It really comes down to personal preference here. If you tend to run hot, live in a warm climate, or have a thicker duvet and foam mattress, you may want to opt for a lighter sheet. Conversely, if you tend to run cold, live in a less temperate climate, or have a lighter weight duvet or innerspring mattress, a heavier weight may be for you.

Thread Count

This rule generally only applies to cotton. A higher thread count means a finer and more subtle thread. A lower thread count means thicker, less refined threads. However, extremely high thread counts can mean sheets which are less durable, and more prone to tearing or wearing thin. The thread count also effects the superficial feel of the sheets – a higher thread count means sheets will feel silkier and softer, while a lower thread count lends itself towards a crisper feel.

It’s important to be aware that even in terms of cotton, the thread count is not the be all and end all. A longer staple fiber and a lower thread count can feel more luxurious and be more durable than a shorter staple fiber with a higher thread count. There are ways for a manufacturer to up the thread count (and thus up the perceived value) of a bedsheet, without actually upping the quality.

Weave

• Percale Weave
• Parachute percale and sateen packaging
• Parachute’s sateen and percale packaging side by side.

A percale weave refers to the most common bed sheet weave. It’s a crisscross pattern, with each side having the same amount of surface thread. Percale is durable, lightweight and breathable but can feel slightly rough. This weave usually result in a more matte finish.

Twill Weave

Bed sheets woven in the twill style have the appearance of diagonal lines across the surface, like that seen in denim. Twill bed sheets are generally strong and durable and drape well.

Sateen Weave

Egyptian Cotton (Nile Threads) vs Sateen (SOL Organics) Sheets

A bed sheet woven in a sateen style will have more fibers along the surface. While this means they have a smoother and more luxurious feel and attractive shine, it also leaves them more prone to snagging.

Jersey Weave

A jersey weave is not actually woven at all, but finely knitted. A bedsheet with a jersey wave has a more casual appearance, a softer feel and lots of stretch and elasticity.

Patterned Weave

Something constructed with a pattern weave has a design woven into the texture of the sheet. Two of the most common types are brocade and damask. They have a luxurious, vintage look, and tend to be much heavier. Bed sheets with a patterned weave can be much more on the expensive side.

Dobby Weave

A dobby weave refers to a design or pattern woven into the fabric. Dobby woven bed sheets commonly incorporate simple elements such as dots or stripes.

Finish

On top of decisions of fabric, weight and weave, some bed sheets have a specialized finish. This can affect the look, feel and characteristics of a bedsheet. Options of bedsheet finishes are as follows.

• Printing. This refers to a design or pattern printed directly onto the bed sheet.
• Seersucker. This refers to a slackening of tension, resulting in a slightly puckered or crimped surface, sometimes in stripes.
• Waffle. Sometimes called honeycomb fabric, this is a fabric with a textured pattern which is very absorbent because of its increased surface area.

Fitted Sheets. These sheets have four elasticated corners which grip the mattress. They are more secure and easier to make up. However, fitted sheets are more difficult to fold and store, and are therefore much more prone to wrinkling.

Flat Sheets. A flat sheet is simply a large piece of fabric. Although these are more difficult to make up on the bed, they fold and store well. Another advantage is that a flat sheet can fit its designated bed size and any smaller than that, while a fitted sheet will fit only one specific mattress.

Lifestyle

One important factor to consider when purchasing bed sheets is how they fit your very specific and personal needs. Buying the most expensive, luxurious or beautiful sheets is moot if they don’t work for your lifestyle. Here are some things to consider.

• Climate. If you live somewhere warmer or are consistently warm during the night, this is an important factor to consider in terms of bedsheet fiber, weight, weave and finish. Similarly, if you’re consistently chilly by night, or you live somewhere less temperate, going for something warmer can vastly improve your quality of sleep.
• Washing. You may love the appearance and feel of a silk sheet, for example, but if you don’t have the time, patience or space to air dry, they simply won’t work for you. Be realistic as to how much care and time you’re willing or able to invest in order to maximize your bed sheet experience.
• Personal Preference. While the general consensus may be that one material is superior, if you personally prefer another that should always override popular opinion. Consider whether you like something crisp or something soft, something which look vibrant or something more subdued, or how averse you are to wrinkles in order to get the sheets