Lifestyle
Sleep Like Egyptian Royalty
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Egyptian cotton can stand on its own merits.
o Egyptian cotton fibers are longer
o Egyptian cotton gets softer and softer with each washing
o Egyptian cotton is capable of high thread count fabric weaves
o Egyptian cotton creates strong, durable fabrics
Long Fibers: Egyptian cotton is grown in the Nile River Valley of Egypt where conditions produce exceptionally long-staple cotton, this translates into the best fibers for spinning into yarns. Fibers from an Egyptian cotton plant can be 1.25 to 2 inches in length. Pima cotton, an excellent long-fiber cotton grown in the Southwestern United States, is a mere 7/8 inch in length. Deep South cotton even shorter.
Softness: When intertwining strands for yarn, long-staple cotton has fewer connection points; therefore a greater percentage of area in the natural softness of the cotton. Egyptian cotton stands a step above other types of cotton because each time Egyptian cotton is washed, it becomes softer and softer. Like a good wine; Egyptian cotton becomes better with age.
Strong, durable fabric: Egyptian cotton yarn is smaller in diameter, because there are more continuous fibers that can be used to create the yarn. More threads per square inch makes the fabric incredibly strong. A high thread count Egyptian cotton sheet set, can last for decades when laundered with warm/cold and tumbled dry-low settings.
High thread Count : Smaller yarns means high thread counts can be done. Traditional or authentic weave refers to a one over one weaving making the yarns into strong fabric, but it limits the high thread count to 400. Sateen weaving is what creates that silky, shiny satin-like finish because the light reflects off the floating yarns of the 4-over-1 weaving process. High thread count sheet sets, such as 1000 threads per inch can be woven with this method.
The weave chosen for your Egyptian cotton sheet set has an important effect on the finished fabric. Why is single pick insertion superior? Insertions means in the woven fabric, vertical yarns are inserted (hemmed) by the horizontal yarns. If it's done 1 yarn at time = single pick insertion, 2 yarns = 2 pick insertion. The higher the insertion number, the faster the weave is produced, diminishing the quality of the fabric. This is why 300 single pick insertion sheet sets feel and wear better than 600 count, 4 insertion sheet sets. Do not confuse insertions with ply, it is not the same thing. The 2-ply, or 3-ply refers to the yarn being used in weaving, not how it is woven.
Millions of consumers have discovered the fact that Egyptian cotton sheet sets are an excellent investment and really do feel softer. Isn't time you did something nice for yourself? Give them a try!
Anthony Phillip Parker