Home

[violann]

I bought a set of sheets last week that were labeled "800 count 100% Cotton", but did not say percale. 

Then I got thinking that maybe the two were not related. 

Would someone explain this to me please? In my day, the choices were "percale OR muslin"- nothing else.

[southernmiss]

Hello,

Percale is a type of weave.   It is a very tight weave usually made from cotton, although sometimes silk or polyester threads are added to reduce wrinkling.  Percale sheets should feel the same way on both sides.  The thread count has to do with how many threads that are being used, the higher the thread count the more durable the sheet.  Depending on the type of weave and thread used, a higher thread count does not necessarily mean a softer sheet.

Have a good day

[Carmie]

Most of the sheets made today are sateen.  Percale sheets are much more expensive and people either love or hate them...they are crisp and wrinkle.

Most percale sheets that I've seen are a lower thread count... 250-300 range.

[ptagirl]

I LOVE percale sheets, but are now difficult to find nice ones.  I still have some sheets from when I was first married (44 yrs.) , but you will never find any that last now days.  Everything is made over seas and is not durable. ..same thing with towels.. 

It is frustrating to pay huge prices for sheets that don't last.  If they have elastic, it deteriorates within a couple of years and you end up with almost a flat sheet in place of a fitted, or they have become thin and ripped in a short time..

  I wish they would bring back the quality from the past, but dought very much that will happen the rest of my lifetime.. such a shame....

[QVCkitty1]

For me there is nothing like crisp percale, the smooth sheets just don't feel right.

[violann]

---

@ptagirl wrote:

I LOVE percale sheets, but are now difficult to find nice ones.  I still have some sheets from when I was first married (44 yrs.) , but you will never find any that last now days.  Everything is made over seas and is not durable. ..same thing with towels.. 

It is frustrating to pay huge prices for sheets that don't last.  If they have elastic, it deteriorates within a couple of years and you end up with almost a flat sheet in place of a fitted, or they have become thin and ripped in a short time..

  I wish they would bring back the quality from the past, but dought very much that will happen the rest of my lifetime.. such a shame....

---

I keep my sheets "alive" a little longer when their elastic fail by using SHEET GARTERS. They just kill my hands to use, but they keep my sheets smoother than not using them.

I'm with you on the OLD percale. The best I have were my mom's, and today would have been their 74th wedding anniversary. 

[Krimpette]

I still have a set of Fieldcrest percale sheets that are probably at least 35 years old.  I have them on the bed in my guest bedroom, since that's only a double bed.  They were the best sheets I've ever had.  Never wrinkled and felt so luxurious.  They just don't make sheets like that any more, in my opinion.

[wadesmom]

I see several of you mentioned that you like crisp sheets. So do I. Does anyone have a recommendation for crisp sheets that are still available?

[southernmiss]

Wamsutta makes a percale sheet , with a 350 thread count. Bed Bath and Beyond carries them, however they are sold individually , not in sets.  They are called Cool Touch Percale

[QVCkitty1]

My favorite percale sheets came from LLBean. However this was a few years ago, and I can't say what they are like these days.  They are pricey, but I always waited for sales.