The best fabric for bedding
When buying fabrics for sewing bedding, it is important to consider the properties of natural and semi-synthetic materials. It is difficult to choose the right set when you do not know what is the best material for bedding.
A large assortment of bed linen is presented in online catalogs and retail. When buying, it is important to take into account that the body needs coolness in the summer, and in the cold it is better to insulate as much as possible.
What fabrics are used for high-quality bedding
Potential buyers ask which fabric is better for bedding - thin percale or thick coarse calico? It is possible that most of these terms do not mean anything.
The chosen set of underwear often attracts attention with a bright pattern. Only when buying is it recommended to look also at the composition, and not only at aesthetics, this is a secondary criterion.
It is recommended to understand all the characteristics that determine the quality of the fabric, including the percentage of synthetics and natural fibers.
Additional Information! It happens that the fabric is good, but the pillow and blanket are hard to pass into the pillowcase and duvet cover. Look at all the parameters of the ready-made kit when purchasing.
Today there are many spectacular sets with large 3D prints made from Chinese material at affordable prices, but the composition is not indicated there. Apart from visual appeal, nothing good is expected. Duvet covers and sheets with a high content of synthetics are not hygroscopic, they fade a lot when washed.
A high-quality "header" does not require careful ironing. There are other options when synthetics are mixed into the fabric, which makes it more practical. The main requirement is that the linen should be such that it warms up in winter, it is not hot in summer, the body gives off the vapor of hygroscopic tissue.
The greatest demands are made on children's kits. Cheap synthetics lead to diaper rash, poor-quality paint leaves marks on delicate skin, causing irritation. The child is growing rapidly, but for the sake of health it is worth buying decent quality bedding.
Description of the types of fabric
Bright sets are one way to make the bedroom more attractive. The dense structure and smooth surface of the cotton "header" - new opportunities for design experiments with three-dimensional patterns.
Often synthetic threads are added to the cotton base - to increase practicality and improve quality indicators. Artificial fibers reduce shrinkage after washing. These fabrics are used to produce durable and inexpensive duvet covers or sheets.
Bed linens with a high natural fiber content have always been preferred. The basis is cotton and flax fibers with high hygroscopicity.
Linen
The strong, wear-resistant fibers of flax are extracted from the stems of a plant that was known to ancient civilizations.In Russia, with the help of the simplest looms, it was used to make linen for underwear, shirts, towels and sheets. Natural dyes adhere well to flax fibers and retain their attractiveness.
It is known that in Ancient Egypt, linen was used to make interior textiles with a patterned border by hand:
- tablecloths:
- canopies;
- sheets;
- curtains and bedspreads for the pharaohs.
Important! Inexpensive coarse linen is suitable for making covers and awnings. It gets thinner over time, gaps form between the threads, but it can withstand up to 200-300 washes. The noble pearl gray shade is gradually worn out, acquiring yellowness.
When they give advice on what is better to sew bed linen from, they usually remember flax. The most ancient material in our time has not lost its relevance, although fields are sown less and less for the industrial production of natural material.
Satin
A well-known natural cotton material since Soviet times - satin. The smooth surface is somewhat similar to satin, but does not shine. The practical fabric is highly durable. It is often purchased for sewing sheets and pillowcases. Ordinary satin is used for sewing running linen, which can withstand up to 300-400 machine washings.
Modern variations have a pattern, mainly due to a special weaving. The structure of jacquard satin is similar to satin fabrics with a double-sided pattern. Soft sateen made of fine filaments is attractive while new, but it loses its shine after 10-15 washes.
Artificial silk or viscose is often added to expensive varieties of jacquard satin, which gives a “satin” sheen. This is an expensive bed linen with high wear resistance and hygroscopicity, it “breathes” well.
Jacquard satin is characterized by a complex interweaving of fibers that form a double-sided pattern. On the matte base, the satin pattern stands out, on the reverse side, on the contrary, the shiny base and matte pattern. Such materials are used for sewing universal bedroom sets, consisting of curtains and a canopy, bedspreads and pillowcases with ruffles.
There are varieties of colored threads like tapestry. Of course, these subspecies are more expensive than plain satin. Elite kits for hotels are sewn from them. Beautiful duvet covers and bedspreads are difficult to wash and iron.
Percale
Thin linen fabric is similar in density to teak for pillowcases and cushions. It has a lower percentage of hygroscopicity - it will be hot under such duvet covers in summer. But this is a great option:
- for sheets with an elastic band for a feather bed;
- dense bedclothes and covers;
- pillowcases of feather pillows that "climb";
- down blankets.
The material keeps feathers and fluff out of old pillows and feather beds. Experts also recommend choosing linen from this material for those who suspect that they are allergic to feathers.
Bamboo
A good choice is a bed with a high bamboo content. This is a fast-growing herb, from the fibers of which fabrics and all kinds of goods of a wide profile are produced. The natural component of bed linen is well washed, does not shrink, and has an attractive appearance for a long time.
Helpful advice! Don't be afraid to buy expensive bedding from Asian manufacturers. This is not the case when cheap shedding kits are offered, bamboo is much more expensive.
Bamboo fiber is the same cellulose derived from woodworking. In terms of wear resistance, it is about the same as cotton with the addition of viscose - you can count on 180-200 washes in the machine.
Viscose
A good base for bed linen with a beautiful shine. Artificial cellulose-based fibers resemble silk or bamboo, but are heavier in weight. It is used in mixed fabrics as a "summer" version, as it has a cooling effect.
Natural cellulose is highly susceptible to permanent dyes and is often used for pillowcases and duvet covers with brightly printed patterns. It stretches during washing and is difficult to iron.
Chintz
When they look in catalogs for quality textiles for sewing pillowcases with their own hands, they find chintz and cambric. It cannot be said that durable bed linen is sewn from "grandmother's fabrics", but they are better suited for sensitive skin than other analogues.
"Classic" fabrics are a traditional choice, especially when you need to sew bedding into a baby's crib. Chintz is a pleasant, soft, pliable material that keeps the shape of ruffles on pillowcases without starch. It can be ironed well with a hot iron, which is important for thorough disinfection.
Batiste is an expensive variety of fine cotton calico. It is made from extra thin and long fibers. Expensive linen is rarely used for duvet covers and sheets. The fabric for elegant children's pillowcases is designed for 50-80 washes in a delicate cycle.
Flannel
For a cold apartment or house, where not all rooms are fully heated, experts recommend flannel bedding.
Note! Potential consumers often hesitate to buy. But then they confirm that under such a duvet cover in winter "you sleep well", and in the morning you don't want to leave your comfortable bed.
Warm fleecy fabric is of 2 types:
- natural bike;
- fleecy synthetics.
Warm children's and demi-season clothes are sewn from analogs of comfortable linen material. In the off-season, a double flannel duvet cover is often used as a full-fledged blanket. Washes well - you can count on many years of use as winter sets.
Silk
Cool, soft and slightly slippery silk is believed to have health benefits. It is always in the assortment of luxury bedding catalogs. He is preferred by Hollywood "stars" and millionaires.
The rich and famous know that silk lingerie is mildly energizing due to its gentle skin contact. It has a beneficial effect on the human body, taking away excess static electricity.
A traditional feature in luxury hotels for the newlywed suite is silk sheets and bedspreads. Some guests complain that the head moves out during sleep, and the veil runs away somewhere. Silk is more suitable for romantic get-togethers than for normal relaxation.
Material that is difficult to maintain requires a special approach. It needs to be washed properly on a delicate cycle. Such a cloth is difficult to iron - it is difficult to guess the temperature at which the fibers are aligned, but not deformed. We have to give the silk to dry cleaning (the service is expensive, but it solves the problem).
How to choose practical bedding fabrics
Considering the many proposals in catalogs, it is not easy to decide which fabric is the best to buy a bed from. Each material has its own unique characteristics.
Fully synthetic bedding fabrics are rare today. They are inferior in hygroscopicity, but more practical for washing. This is a great option for ancillary use:
- naperniki;
- covers;
- feather pillowcases.
Note! The Chinese counterparts are very effective, they rustle pleasantly by ear, like a starched chintz. The purchased set needs to be washed - duvet covers and sheets fade, leaving stains on the sweating body.
Composition
To choose the right kit, you should pay attention to the properties of the mixed threads. Manufacturers offer novelties, but modern names of bedding fabrics often mislead buyers.
The most popular textiles are linen, cotton, viscose and bamboo.
The names of the new products give only a vague idea of the composition, pros and cons, properties of home textiles. Synthetic impurities change the structure of the fabric and the degree of wear resistance.
Quality
Thick, smooth fabrics are used for a bold design in large format. Investigating the issue of quality, they pay attention to the way of weaving the threads (not cruciform, but diagonal) and the natural composition.
It is best when the dyes are without chemical components. For this reason, white linen has been considered harmless at all times. Manufacturers make cheap textiles more attractive only due to the bright pattern.
Important! Quality white cotton is perfect for everyday outfits, especially when there are health concerns.
Sheets made of natural ingredients serve for a long time, wash well, and iron easily. Coarse calico and chintz are often indicated among the most practical varieties.
Density
This is an important indicator of quality, it depends on several factors, including the thickness of the fibers and the way the threads are woven (lobe and weft).
It is necessary to choose the "golden mean". Fabrics that are too thick are more difficult to wash and iron and are heavy, especially in duvet covers.
Thin varieties are not designed for everyday use - sheets wear out and tear quickly.
Comfort
No matter how beautiful imported bedding with a 3D pattern is, it is still more important how comfortable sleeping under such a duvet cover will be.
If the material "breathes", taking in the fumes from the body and releasing moisture into the atmosphere, this maintains the health of the body. No amount of aesthetics can replace healthy, comfortable sleep.
Practicality
The quality of textiles is practicality and durability. The leaders in popularity are cotton and linen, viscose and bamboo, to which a little synthetics are mixed.
The blended fibers withstand multiple washes without shedding from the caustic reagents of detergent powder with the addition of chlorine "whiteness".
Experts make their own ratings for the quality of bedding fabrics.
Price
When buying, it is worth considering all the parameters so as not to overpay too much. The price of a set of bed linen includes:
- cost of raw materials;
- investments in production;
- material properties;
- format (1-bed and 2-bed, one and a half sets);
- the authority of the producing country;
- sewing costs;
- value for money.
Elite products made from natural ingredients are expensive. Such offers are a component of the hotel's prestige level, they are not for everyday use.
It is recommended to give preference to natural fabrics for bedding sets. The blended fabrics help improve the functionality of natural fibers, their usability and durability.
Natural fibers have the highest permeability, they "breathe", absorb sweat, but they are more difficult to iron after washing. Only the first 2-3 applications, washing and ironing will show the practical quality of the purchased kit.
Video: which fabric is better for bedding?
