Home Style Decorating

It is a good idea to obtain a little knowledge and make the right choice when it comes to selecting your bedding due to the fact that there are a lot of variety of fabrics available today. Both natural and synthetic fabrics have a purpose and its up to you to determine what your primary need will be.

Natural Fibers

1. Cotton

There is something to be said about white cotton sheets. They are a wonderful indulgence, and when trimmed with lace and ruffles they will bring a sense of romantic harmony to any bedroom. A new cotton sheet will shrink anywhere from 4 to 6% when first washed and it is stronger when wet than when it is dry. It is durable, economical and known for its lightness, softness and superior comfort. The shine, color, thickness and durability of the fabric will depend on the cotton plant used and its fiber. When the thread count goes above 280, the cotton fabric begins to lose its crispness.

There are different kinds of cotton:

• Combed Cotton - A combing process removes the shorter fibers of the cotton thread which makes the fabric softer and more resistant to lint however, it is not wrinkle-free.
• Sea Island Cotton - It is known to be the best of all cottons and is used in fine cotton apparel and beddings. This type of cotton is grown and readily available in the West Indies.
• Pima Cotton - This light-colored cotton is mostly grown in the States and has a long staple. When buying this kind of fabric, make sure that it is marked with the “Supima” seal which guarantees you of 100% pima cotton.
• Egyptian cotton - Grown in the Nile Valley and has a shade that ranges from beige to light brown. It is one of the better cotton and you should always make sure it is 100% Egyptian and not a blend.
• Brushed cotton - This type of cotton is very ideal for use during the cold winter nights. The thread used is thicker and has been scraped to remove the shorter fibers to make it soft and warm. Because of the thicker threads used, it has a low thread count and have a tendency to gather lint.
• Cotton Jersey - This type of cotton has a feel of T-shirt- like material because it is soft and flexible. Remember to check its washing instructions as they differ from one fabrication to another. The stitches on this material tend to run ans become stretchy with time as it lacks resistance.
• Cotton/Flannel - This fabric is an all-time kids favorite because they are so cozy, warm ans soft. It is best for cold winter nights.

2. Linen

This natural fiber is very strong, absorbent, dries quickly, and will shrink less than cotton. It is made from flax seed.

3. Silk

This type of natural fabric is made from cultivated silk fiber taken from the silkworm. It is a soft and light fabric, very absorbent, naturally wrinkle resistant and does not pill. This fiber can be woven with many types of fabrics and it tends to be a little bit warm. Silk sheets are expensive and must be handled with extra care when washing because some required dry cleaning only. For this reason they are often woven with Egyptian cotton or linen.

Synthetic Fibers

1. Polyester

This fabric is wrinkle-free, does not gather lint, do not shrink or stretch and lasts long. Although this fabric is man-made, it is composed of natural substances like coal, water or petroleum. Because they are cheap, many people prefer this kind of fabric. It can be cool or warm, depending on the way the fabric is made.

2. Satin

This fabric looks and feels like silk but it is 100% polyester. The way threads cross each other gives satin its shine and softness. Satin is quite slippery and is non-absorbent.

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