Probably not what you are looking for, as an answer.
I have neuropathy and have discovered that microplush (not microfleece) blankets are fabulous as bottom and top sheets. I'm sure they won't hold up forever because I wash them as frequently as traditional sheets.
"Best" is always subjective.
Posts: 4061 | Location: In the beautiful Tennessee Valley, between the Cumberland Plateau and the Great Smoky Mountains. | Registered: Jul 12, 2005
What do you mean by best? The best fabric? The best brand? A certain thread count? Personally, I buy my sheets at Penney's and I always buy 100% cotton. I do, however, have one set of sheets that match my bedding purchased from Cuddledown--again, 100% cotton.
The only sheets I will buy for myself are 100% Egyptian cotton percale, in white.
I love the crisp feel of percale sheets, and the smoothness that Egyptian cotton produces. I love the look of fresh white sheets, and use them no matter what color a bedroom is done in.
I'm a huge fan of Wamsutta sheets. Last year I replaced an old set with a new one at Bed Bath and Beyond. They're pricey, but when it comes to sheets you get what you pay for. I bought the highest thread count they carry in sateen.
Posts: 2544 | Location: usa | Registered: Sep 28, 2002
Cocok- you had me at "crispness of percale"!In the past there have been some long discussions on these MBs of finding new sheets that compare to the old, soft, yet crisp cotton percale sheets we remember growing up. Can you tell us more about yours and where you purchased them?This message has been edited. Last edited by: Becky56,
Sure, Becky56. I can usually find the sheets I like at Bed Bath and Beyond. I have even seen them at Costco. You have to sift through shelves and shelves of Sateen sheets, which for some reason are really popular right now. Sateen is a certain way of weaving fabric that produces a bit of shine. It also has a certain texture that feels "furry" to me. I just don't find the texture of sateen comfortable to sleep in, although many people like it.
Anyway, percale is a flatter weave that is really smooth and crisp feeling.
I only buy Egyptian cotton because Egyptian cotton is made from a variety of cotton that grows a really long fiber. The longer the fiber used to spin the thread that goes into weaving fabric, the smoother the fabric will be.
If you look at Egyptian cotton threads under a microscope you will see that there are very few little ends sticking out where the fibers are spun together to create the threads for weaving. Other shorter varieties of cotton have lots of little ends sticking out, because the fibers are shorter and it takes more of them to make a thread. As I said you have to use a microscope to see this, but you can sure feel it.
Maybe that is too much information! Ha ha. (I actually have a weird love of identifying fibers under a microscope - so fun)
Anyway, Wamsutta makes a really nice Egyptian cotton, percale sheet, in about 400 thread count and that is what I buy. They aren't cheap, but they aren't overly expensive either. I always get white as if they get dingy I can bleach them and they whiten up really well.
Since I am a "linen" person, I have a great many bed linens and rarely buy any, anymore. I have bought lots of sheets at estate and tag sales. I use them for sewing projects as well as bed linens.
My bedding always smells and feels wonderful as I line dry it outdoors and iron it. Like Cocok I love white but also have colored sheets. In fact I have one pr of Ralph Lauren printed sheets that must be over 20 years old. Also a white cot sized sheet that I bought over 50 years ago but this isn't used often.
LOS your linen closet looks a lot like mine! I have a love for vintage linens and I use them too!
I got my last vintage cotton percale sheet at a Goodwill several years ago. I really lucked out as it was king size and yellow!
Unfortunately , as old percales will do, it ripped. I have saved it though with the intention of making pillowcases from the less worn areas of it.I love the crisp coolness of a percale sheet on my face, even in the winter!
Thanks Cocok-I will check BB&B again for the percales as all I seemed to find there were sateens and I am not a fan of them.I gave the one set that I bought there to my DD for her guest room.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Becky56,
Other shorter varieties of cotton have lots of little ends sticking out, because the fibers are shorter and it takes more of them to make a thread. As I said you have to use a microscope to see this, but you can sure feel it.
This might be why I find cotton sheets miserable! I only know they irritate my skin more than I can sleep through. I'll look into the Egyptian-type cotton sheets!
Posts: 4061 | Location: In the beautiful Tennessee Valley, between the Cumberland Plateau and the Great Smoky Mountains. | Registered: Jul 12, 2005
We thought we would treat ourselves and buy 800 thread count sheets. Never again. They may never wear out......but they are extremely heavy. Best sheets I ever bought was at Sams 400 thread count 100% cotton. I love them!
This is an important topic for me also. I ONLY buy 100% cotton sheets with the highest thread count I can afford. I have found the thread count quality varies from one manufacturer to another.
Posts: 343 | Location: Tennessee | Registered: Feb 08, 2007
Since we couldn't afford an anniversary trip, I bought hotel sheets to enjoy at home daily. We've been using them for over a year and so far they have held up well.
Call me crazy, but I find the higher the thread count, the hotter the sheets. I think the tight fit of the threads obstructs airflow. I have had to shelve some for winter use only. We received some as a gift from a friend from SAMs and they are the silkiest sheets I have had the pleasure do owning. Wash after wash they are spectacular! We use those on the yacht.
hey lmh: Is there only one brand of sheets at Sam's? We're in the market for sheets and will be going over there soon to check them out. My "guest sheets" seems to have disappeared somewhere. This message has been edited. Last edited by: nance425,
Posts: 4213 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: Dec 01, 2003
Another vote for 100% Egyptian Cotton. Even if other sheets say they have a high thread count, they are junk. They can become "pilly." With that said, our favorite sheets of all time, which wore through completely, (I wash my sheets twice a week... Is that weird?) were Pima Cotton.