The Guide to Bed Linens

Whether your current bed linens no longer provide you with the good night’s rest you need, or you simply want to upgrade to fresh, new linens, our guide to buying bed linen is designed to take you through every element you should consider when purchasing.

MATERIAL

The first element in the guide to buying bed linen is choosing the right material. There are many variants available, but at Savoir, we recommend focusing on only natural materials. Egyptian Cotton is known as one of the finest in the world, which is why all our bed linens are made from this exquisitely sumptuous fabric.

Egyptian Cotton

Pure Egyptian cotton is one of the finest grades of cotton in the world. Grown in the Nile Delta region, it is hand-picked and rolled in cotton gins to prevent damage to the fibres. The best Egyptian cotton is made from long and extra-long staple fibres which are more durable and stronger than short-staple cotton. Fabrics made of extra-long staple cotton are also softer and smoother than their short-staple counterparts. Sheets will feel luxurious for longer, giving a more comfortable night’s sleep.

Egyptian Giza Cotton

Esteemed as the finest Egyptian cotton, Giza is grown in a small area to the northeast of the Nile Delta close to the river. The region provides the ideal setting for cotton plants and has enabled growers to raise long and extra-long staple varieties. Here, the combination of humidity, sunlight, and nutrient-rich soil provides the ideal growing conditions for this very special cotton. There are a few varieties of Giza cotton, but we select Giza 87 for its softness, high uniformity, and stretch resistance.

Thread count

Thread refers to how many threads, are woven into one square inch of fabric. High thread counts can usually only be woven from the only very finest yarns. The higher the thread count, the smoother and silkier the sheets will feel. But thread count is not the only barometer; it’s also the quality of the yarn, the length of the fibres and the finishing that affects the overall look and feel of the sheets.

FEEL

Sateen

Sateen cotton is made from cotton fibres which are combed or carded to make them longer. The long cotton fibres are then mercerised to give them a smoother, more reflective surface that gives Sateen its signature sheen. Available in a range between 300 and 1,000 thread count, these sheets are a true staple of a well-dressed bed. Because of their strength and quality, they will always retain their inherent glow, shimmering at the smallest hint of candlelight.

Percale

Percale cotton is a plain weave, spun cotton made from both carded and combed yarns. All Savoir’s percale sheets are balanced weaves, where threads of the same weight and number are used. Percale is not usually mercerised like sateen. It feels firm and smooth, with a matt appearance, that becomes better and softer with every wash. Considered the most durable of all bed linens, the Percale sheets are great for households with children. Our Percale Collection is available in 400 and 500 thread count.

Jacquard

Named after Joseph Jacquard, who invented this weaving technique in 1804, jacquard is created by weaving different colour threads together. A punched card in the jacquard loom creates a pattern woven by separate warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) threads. This makes it possible to control each warp so that each one can be raised or lowered to form a design. Savoir’s icon Trellis pattern has been woven into the fabric to create an entirely unique, signature bed linen range. As our signature range, these bed linens are available in 600 thread count.

STYLE

Cambridge

Cambridge pillowcases and duvet covers are simple in style, fitting precisely on the pillow or duvet. They have plain stitching where the top and reverse of the pillowcase or duvet cover meet and do not feature a border. This style provides a sleek, modern look, favoured by those with a penchant for a more contemporary style.

Oxford

Oxford pillowcases and duvet covers feature a fabric border around the edge, which is present purely for decorative reasons. Giving a more luxurious aesthetic, the border traditionally has mitred edges. Savoir features mitred edges on its sateen and percale pillowcases and duvet covers. The Trellis, on the other hand, uses a single piece of fabric for Oxfords, to ensure the pattern has a seamless appearance.

FINISHING ACCENTS

Cording

Both Oxford and Cambridge-style pillowcases and duvet covers offer a range of embroidered cording. The choice of which is completely individual. For a clean, modern aesthetic opt for none or simple, white cording. If you prefer a more traditional look, opting for a combination of silver and charcoal cording will add a touch of glamour to your bed linens.

Embroidery

Embroidery is used to decorate a fabric with a pattern, design or initials. Savoir linens can be monogrammed, to add a truly personal accent. Why not try embroidering your and your partner’s initials on a set of your favourite, most luxurious bed linens? Contact your nearest showroom to enquire about monogramming.

For more advice and ideas on a guide to buying bed linens and guide to choosing the right bed size, visit the House of Savoir.