The Drift Giza Egyptian Cotton Pillowcase

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 cottons. Fabrics made of extra-long staple cottons 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
The finest Egyptian cotton grown is called Giza. This rare cotton is hand-harvested in a small region on the Nile Delta — a jewel of lush land with nutrient-rich waters. What makes it special is the climate; the cool sea air tempers the dry Egyptian heat, creating the ideal level of humidity. This rare alchemy results in optimal growing conditions, producing cotton that unites smoothness, crispness and lightweight breathability.

Sateen
Sateen cotton is made from cotton fibres which are combed or carded to make them longer. The long cotton fibres are then mercerised, which produces a smoother, more reflective surface and gives Sateen its signature sheen.

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 the threads of the same weight and number are used. Percale is not usually mercerised like sateen, but will feel firm and smooth, with a matte appearance. It washes well and will get better with age.

Jacquard
Named after Joseph Jacquard, who invented this weaving technique in 1804, a jacquard is created by weaving different colour threads together. A punched card in the jacquard loom creates a pattern woven by a 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.

Thread count
Thread refers to how many threads, vertically (warp) and horizontally (weft), are woven into one square inch of fabric. High thread counts can usually only be woven from the 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 affect the overall look and feel of the sheets.

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/duvet cover meet and do not feature a border.

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 the 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.

Embroidery
Embroidery is used to decorate a fabric with a pattern or particular design. Savoir linens can be double corded in white or a combination of charcoal and silver. The cording is embroidered differently depending on the style of the linen.