Three things to consider when choosing bed linen
From the yarns it’s made from to how it feels next to your skin and the finishing touches that make it special, here’s what to look out for…
1. Feel
What it's like to touch
Different weaves and treatments can create silky, breathable, cosy or durable fabrics.
Crisp & smooth percale
Always popular, the tightly woven cotton combines softness and strength and produces a matt finish.
Smooth & soft sateen
This cotton fabric feels silky against the skin and has an elegant sheen that drapes beautifully.
Silky & soft sateen
Some pure-silk fabrics or cotton ones blended with silk have an added lustre, while still feeling smooth against the skin.
Soft & cosy flannel
Gently brushed on both sides of the fabric to produce a velvet-touch finish that feels instantly warming.
Soft & relaxed seersucker
A permanent crinkle is woven into the fabric on a loom with slacked tension. Ideal for reducing ironing.
Soft & relaxed
Washing fabrics, like cotton, linen or hemp, lends them an inviting and casual texture that is soft against the skin.
2. Fabric
What it's made from
We seek out the best yarns around the world to make our fabrics.
Cotton
This soft, fluffy staple fibre is harvested from the plant and then spun into a durable yarn to create the natural fabric.
Egyptian cotton
One of the world’s finest cottons, it has long staple fibres that help create a smoother, more long-lasting fabric.
Supima® cotton
Another superior type of cotton from America – with staple fibres that are longer than normal cotton, making it smooth and durable.
Hemp
From a natural, sustainable plant, it is known for its strength and breathability, as well as being particularly soft.
Flax (linen)
A breathable material with long fibres that allow the air to circulate through and around the fabric.
Mulberry silk
One of the smoothest and strongest silks, a luxurious option that’s naturally temperature regulating.
Fabric blends
Harnessing the benefits of more than one raw material to create softer, more durable, sustainable or lightweight fabrics.
3. Detail
What it looks like
Often finished by hand our decorative touches and embroidery set our bed linens apart.
Jour
This hand-drawn, intricate thread work technique has been passed down through generations.
Cording
A thin row of machine embroidery that’s stitched along the edges of a pillowcase or bed linen.
Embroidery
Often done by hand, these decorative techniques, including French knots, create a raised design.
Oxford borders
A wide stitched border that’s at the edge of a pillowcase or duvet cover. Usually around 4cm– 7cm in width.
Hem stitch
A small row of decorative holes in the fabric which can be created by hand or machine.
Stripes, checks and prints
Decorative designs, woven into the fabric in subtle contrasting colours or printed patterns on top.
Thread count explained
Thread count indicates the number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric. A higher thread count can be an indicator of better quality, but that may not necessarily be the case. Other factors to consider include the weave and fabric type, which will have an impact on its feel. For example, silk will naturally feel softer than cotton regardless of its thread count.
