thanks. i was actually just pondering thread count the other day. it's been a few years since we purchased new sheets and are due for a change from our old pairs. i thought 300 was a good number, but then all of the new 800 labels had me confused. it's nice to get some honest advice from a pro.

Now I understand why my supposedly 1000TC sheet set feels like crap. guh. I won't buy anything in that way anymore!

there is something missing from the article that's far more important...NOT ALL COTTONS ARE THE SAME... the type of cotton the sheets are made of is far more important than the count. American "pima" cotton has short fibers while Egyptian cotton tends to have very long ones. this is what, in fact, makes for a superior weave and feel. high count pima sheets are a waste of money.. you're better of with a lower count egyptian any day. super premium sheets (like Pratesi for example) use yarn made with only the longest cotton fibers for their high count sheets, hence the $$$. many manufacturers have overused/misused "count" as a fuzz word for quality (and therefore higher price) but is mostly marketing gimmick kinda like saying "green" or "organic".

For my money Calvin Klein sheets have the best feel and wash out nicely. They take on that velvety quality of good cotton.

I buy CK for a fraction of the price (last yrs pattens and colors) at Century 21.

Nothing compares to the feeling of getting into a bed that has cold, fresh worn washed sheets. OMG.
I also use CK duvet covers that also get that excellent velvety cotton quality.

And my dog sleeps with us under the covers!!!!!
:-)>

Bed Sheet Fabric Terminology:
* Thread size * Twisted thread * Multi ply, 2 ply, 3 ply, etc. * Single ply * Staple fiber length
Thread size decreases as thread count increases. Thread can be thin or thick, producing fabrics of different weights. But threads can also be twisted before weaving, as a way of producing thicker fabrics with a softer hand (feel) from thinner threads. A twisted thread is a combination of 2 or more threads that wrap around one another to form a single thread (referred to as a multi ply thread- 2ply, 3ply) A multi ply thread is usually weaker than a single ply, not because the twisting makes them weaker, but because the fiber length is usually shorter than a high quality single ply thread.
With current manufacturing limitations, single ply fabrics only go up to 500-600 threads per square inch. (over this, fabrics are multi-ply).
Fiber length is more important in creating a luxurious hand than thread count. The highest quality cotton is long staple cotton. Staple refers to the length of the cotton fiber; the longer the fiber the better because it creates stronger and finer yarns. Among long staple cottons, Egyptian is the longest. note: not all Egyptian cotton is long staple, only the cotton grown in designated areas (Giza lots) is of the premium quality that is associated with "Egyptian cotton".

After the cotton yarns are woven into a fabric, the fabric needs to be finished. This includes singeing and mercerizing. The singeing process is vital; it burns off the tiny fuzz that can later develop into pilling on your sheets. Mercerizing is a treatment conducted under tension, in order to increase strength, luster, and affinity for dye. Bed lines of lesser quality may not be singed or mercerized. High quality bed linens will always be.
a set of 300tc bed sheets from a company that uses high quality cotton and manufacturing processes will feel better than a 1000tc sheet set from a company that uses lower quality cotton and manufacturing.

PS. I goofed with the Pima cotton.. it's considered long stapled and not short but, it's not as long as Egyptian...

anyhow, look at the packaging.. if it says 2 ply, and if it doesn't say long stapled or long yarn or Egyptian cotton, beware.

Some sheet are also woven better as well...I like the way Ralph Lauren sheets are made. 350 threat count is all you need.

What is "Sateen cotton?"

I have the CK Bamboo Flowers set and while it only has a 230 TC, I find it has a very nice feel. It's certainly not ultra luxurious, but it's a nice medium between having crisp, yet soft sheets. My one quibble with the fabric is that it forms creases that even enthusiastic steaming and ironing won't fix. As a result, the edges along the creases get that whiteness of faded fabric.

luckysquid- Sateen is a kind of weave, where more yarns are on the surface to create a sheen and softer hand. For example other weaves are plain, basket weave, twill, herringbone, etc. which create different looks to the fabric and provide different qualities to the fabric (like strength, durability,etc).

Wow, thanks for unraveling the mystery! I have 1000 Count sheets and 300 count sheets. The 1000 are reeeeeaaaally soft, while the 300 are very soft, but more crisp at the same time. I still can't decide which I like better, but now that i'm informed, i'll at least know what to look for when I find the set that feels perfect.

wow!

I feel so better educated about sheets! :) It really is important.

I know this article is way old but I just have to say that I bought those sheets from west elm (not as a result of this) and promptly sent them back. I thought maybe since they were organic I'd give the 230tc an opportunity, but they are so rough, like paper. I'm used to my egyptian cotton sheets though so I'm kind of a sheet snob. ;)

I work in a high end bed linens store and I can tell you right now thread count no longer matters. It's all about the quality of the cotton, the size of the fiber, and - bottom line - how the fabric feels to you. Check out this website that was put together by one of the best linen companies out there.

http://www.losecount.com/

If it's possible when shopping for bedding online, request a sample. It could look and sound amazing according to that website, but it's ultimately up to how it feels to you.

"A multi ply thread is usually weaker than a single ply, not because the twisting makes them weaker, but because the fiber length is usually shorter than a high quality single ply thread."

As a spinner, I have to disagree with this. All other things being equal, multiple plies are stronger than single plies. Shorter staple fibers can be just as strong as long staple fibers; they just require more twist. The softness and durability also depends on how the fibers were prepared before they were spun. If all cotton for sheets is prepared for spinning in the same way, and spun with the same amount of twist in the singles, then this may be true when it comes to sheets. I think it's much more likely that the multiple plies are durable, but not as soft because they are more tightly twisted and the plied threads are larger.