Printer FriendlyFabric Guide
Learn characteristics and benefits of the most common types of fabric used for bedding:
Natural Fibers
Manufactured Fibers
Cotton
The quality of cotton is defined by the length, fineness and strength of the fiber. The highest quality cotton fibers come from varieties that produce long-staple fibers such as Pima and Egyptian. Cotton is a very popular fabric in the United States.
Benefits of cotton:
- Natural Fiber - offers better breathability and absorbency to help regulate your sleeping temperature
- Softness - provides a smooth and luxurious feel
- Durability - cotton is a strong fabric that holds up even after repeated washings. It is less likely to shrink or show wrinkles
There are several types of cotton:
- Pima Cotton - Previously called American-Egyptian, Pima cotton is a generic name for extra-long-staple (ELS) cotton grown only in the Southwestern United States, Australia, Peru and in very limited production in a few other locations around the world. Pima cotton is an excellent-quality cotton that is exceptionally soft, and the fibers are strong and firm. Cotton is considered to be ELS or Pima if the fiber is an inch and 3/8 or longer.
- Supima® Cotton - A premium fiber created from 100% extra-long staple cotton grown in the United States The term Supima is a licensed trademark owned by Supima and its members. It is used to promote textile and apparel products made of 100% America Pima cotton, but is strictly controlled by the grower organization. The name Supima is an abbreviation for Superior Pima.
- Egyptian Cotton - Cotton cultivated in Egypt that feels softer than most cottons. Generates less lint and is more durable.
Cotton comes in several different weaves:
- Cotton Sateen - A satin weave cotton fabric that has a soft, smooth feel and a gentle, subtle luster. Produced by floating fill yarns over warp yarns that are interlaced in such a manner that there is no definite, visible pattern of interlacing.
- Cambric Cotton - A soft, closely woven fabric with a calendered, slightly glossy side. This good quality, 230-thread-count fabric is used with most of our down products.
- Percale Cotton - A medium weight, plain weave, low to medium count (180 to 250 threads per square inch).
- Flannel - A soft, medium weight, plain or twill weave fabric, usually made of cotton with a napped finish on one or both sides.
Wool
Wool fiber comes from a variety of animal coats, the most popular is sheep, and the feel varies from extra-soft to scratchy. The wool fibers have crimps or curls that create pockets and give the wool a spongy feel and create insulation. Wool is washable, but will shrink if improperly washed.
Benefits of wool:
- Natural fiber - unique combination of lightweight and good insulation
- Durability - resists wear and tear
- Resistant to wrinkles, dirt and flame
Although still classified as wool, wool specialty fibers are further classified by the animal the fiber comes from. Some of these classifications include Alpaca fleece, Mohair, Angora wool, Camel hair, Cashmere and Vicuna.
Merino Wool
Taken from white sheep originating in Spain, Merino wool is a heavy fleece of exceptional quality.
Benefits of Merino wool:
- Exceptionally soft and top quality
- Natural fiber - unique combination of lightweight and good insulation
- Durability - resists wear and tear
- Resistant to wrinkles, dirt and flame
Cashmere
Cashmere is the ultra-fine, natural fiber made from the fleece of Kashmir goats. It is the highest class of all natural fiber. One woman-sized sweater requires the fleece of 3 to 6 goats. Cashmere is a rare and expensive luxury fiber, which attracts unscrupulous manufacturers and vendors to cheat on the amount of cashmere fibers put into a garment. As a general rule, be aware of bargains on high-quality cashmere.
Benefits of cashmere:
- Natural fiber - outstanding softness and lightweight
- Luxurious - top-of-the line fabric
- Comfortable - offers warmth, breathability
Silk
Created by the silk worm, silk fabric has a luxurious and beautiful natural luster. Silk has only a fair resistance to abrasion and poor resistance to prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Benefits of silk:
- Natural fiber - strong and lightweight
- Hand-washable or dry-cleanable
- Resistant to pilling, little problem with static
Linen
A natural fiber made from flax, a vegetable fiber. Linen offers a crisp feel and is available in lightweight to heavyweight fabric. Fairly abrasion resistant.
Benefits of linen:
- Strong - twice as strong as cotton
- Hand-washable or dry-cleanable
- Resistant - to static and pilling
Polyester
Of all the manufactured fibers, polyester is the most used. The over-use of polyester 20 to 30 years ago caused a negative perception of the fiber. However, as with other manufactured fibers, new developments in polyester have created a fresh attitude towards polyester. Polyester offers less breathability and lower resistance to static and pilling than most other fabrics.
Benefits of polyester:
- Strong
- Machine washable - washes easily and dries quickly. Dry-cleanable
- Resistant to wrinkles, mildew, stretching, shrinkage, abrasions and most chemicals
Microfibers
Rather than a fiber onto itself, microfiber refers to an ultra-fine fiber that can be woven or knit into a very high quality fabric construction. Originally introduced as a polyester microfiber, today you can find nylon, rayon and acrylic microfibers. One important characteristic of microfiber fabrics is that they can be woven so tightly that the fabric can't be penetrated by wind, rain or cold. Microfibers also have a wicking ability that allows perspiration to pass through the fabric.
Benefits of microfibers:
- Ultra fine - finer than the most delicate silk
- Luxurious - very soft, feels like silk or suede
- Washable, dry cleanable
- High strength and shrink-resistant
- Comfortable - offers insulation and breathability
OUTLAST® Adaptive Comfort® material
Products incorporating OUTLAST® technology continuously interact with the unique microclimate of the human body and the environment to moderate temperature from being too hot or too cold to being just right.
The human body naturally sweats to cool the skin, reducing the ability of clothing, footwear and bedding to keep the body dry and comfortable. Outlast® technology, conversely, will keep individuals comfortable by absorbing body heat when too much is created, thereby diminishing the amount of moisture.
Benefits of OUTLAST®:
- Increases comfort
- Reduces sweat
- Limits overheating
- Keeps you cool
- Keeps you warm
View Comforter & Blanket Collection by Select Comfort
