Percale and satin

The most important thing to remember is that a fabric is characterised by its weave, its width, the number of warp and weft threads per cm2, and the type of threads used (brushed, combed, unbleached, dyed, etc). The weave corresponds to the way in which the warp and weft threads are interlaced: a series of threads known as "warp threads" are stretched lengthways along the loom and another series of threads, known as "weft threads", cross the warp threads at right angles thanks to the movements of the shuttle. The way in which the warp and weft threads cross determines the type of weave and therefore the final effect, the look and feel of the fabric.

In the world of luxury household linen and bedding, percale and cotton satin occupy prime positions. Originally made from high quality Egyptian cotton, these two extremely comfortable fabrics differ only in the way they are woven.

Egyptian cotton, a rare and prestigious cotton

Percale and satin cotton are mainly made from Egyptian Giza cotton, renowned for its long, extremely soft fibres. Egyptian cotton is appreciated for its silky texture, breathability, comfort and remarkable durability. It is the fabric of choice for bed linen design.

All you need to know about cotton percale

Cotton percale is ideal for people who get hot at night, but also for beautiful summer nights. When you slip into your sheets, you'll feel a sensation of freshness.

What are the characteristics of percale weaving?

The name "percale" comes from the Persian word "Pargalah", which translates as "rag" in French. Despite this, the appearance of the fabric is nothing like that of a cloth. It is a very fine Egyptian cotton fabric, in which each horizontal thread is inserted perpendicularly over a vertical thread. This high-quality cotton is made up of long, tightly-packed threads, giving the bed linen a very soft feel and a matt appearance.

The fibres are first combed to remove those deemed too short. They are then woven with an average of 80 threads/cm2. For a sheet to be called "percale", it must have at least 78 threads/cm2. As a guide, an entry-level sheet in classic cotton has 57 threads/cm2. As with all bed linen, the difference in percale quality lies in the number of threads per cm2. The more threads, the better the quality. However, you need to be careful, as the thread count can be increased by the use of low-end materials. To be sure of choosing a quality percale, look not only at the number of threads but also at the composition, which should preferably be 100% cotton.

Why do we love cotton percale?

Percale is a top-of-the-range fabric, commonly used for bed linen. It is appreciated for its many strong points, including :

• Its unique feel is similar to that of hotel sheets. This softness comes from the very tight weave of the threads.
• Extremely breathable, thanks to the quality of the Egyptian cotton. This breathability is an appreciable advantage for people living in hot regions or who fear the heat at night.
• Its resistance over time. What's more, the length of the fibres also prevents
• Price: cotton percale offers the best value for money on the market. For example, a complete set of good quality percale towels costs around €100 on average.
• Easy care. Made from 100% cotton, it can be machine-washed.

All you need to know about cotton satin

Satin is a magnificent fabric, shiny on the front and matt on the reverse. It is soft and silky. It is this method of weaving that gives the effect of shine and softness. Chilly? Then cotton satin is for you! It retains body heat for a silky touch on the skin.

What are the characteristics of satin weave?

Cotton satin is also woven from Egyptian cotton threads, which are very long and fine. The difference with cotton percale lies in the way it is woven. Here, each thread passes through three threads and then back underneath. The weave is also much tighter, with 120 threads/cm2 or even 200 threads/cm2 for a 'luxury' quality cotton satin. This density gives the fabric exceptional strength. The weaving process also gives the fabric a slightly satin finish and a texture that is even softer and silkier to the touch than percale. As with percale, this soft feel increases with each wash. In terms of its satin finish, cotton sateen is not like shiny sateen (silk or polyester sateen), which some people find slippery. It has a shiny side and a matt side. Cotton satin is the most widely used material in the luxury trade.

Why do we love cotton satin?

Like percale, cotton sateen has undeniable qualities. These qualities make it an exceptional fabric, and here's why:

• The fabric is remarkably silky. Cotton sateen bed linen is one of the most chic and elegant cotton fabrics available. A dreamy, romantic bed linen for a bedroom worthy of the finest hotels.
• Its quality is incomparable, as the fabric becomes softer and softer with each wash.
• It adapts to all seasons. Its weaving process offers excellent breathability, ideal for warm weather, but it's also perfect for winter nights. Cotton sateen helps retain body heat.
• It avoids sheet marks on the face and prevents hair from tangling and becoming damaged.
• The texture of cotton satin does not absorb cosmetic products, optimising their effectiveness.
• Durable, cotton satin guarantees the longevity of your bed linen.