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Studio Blog

September 16th

Sheets

WHAT DOES A HIGHER THREAD-COUNT MEAN?

The thread-count of bedding refers to the number of horizontal (weft) and vertical (warp) threads in one square inch of fabric. Thread-count in bed sheets ranges from 80 to 1200. Most stores sell sheets within the range of 180 to 500 thread-count.

A higher thread-count does not necessarily mean better quality than a lower thread-count. You shouldn’t be surprised to find 600-thread-count bed sheets at the same price as 350-thread-count sheets. There are many factors, including ply and yarn size, that influence the thread-count measurement. With no industry standards or legal regulations for measuring the quality of bed sheets, manufactures can attach their own set of quality standards to their product.

One method used by sheet manufacturers is to increase the thread-count is to twist two thinner threads together and create a 2-ply thread. By using 2-ply thread the manufacturer can report a higher thread-count by counting each individual ply within the thread rather than the threads themselves. This means that what is essentially a 300-thread-count sheet can be stated as 600-thread-count.

Another factor that affects thread-count is the thickness of the thread or yarn size. A higher yarn size indicates a finer yarn. A fine yarn can only be made from high-quality, long-staple cotton. Using a less-fine thread will result in a lower thread-count and a stiffer feel to the sheets. The soft, luxurious feel that most people desire in their bed sheets is created with a thread-count between 180 and 420 using 1-ply thread with a yarn size between 40 and 100 pounds/yard.