(All this
information comes from things I have researched or been told by other
"experts")
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What's so great about satin?
Look and Feel
For most people, satin sheets are great for two reasons:
Smoothness
Shininess
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Smoothness comes from
the small size and tight weaving of the fibers. The
tighter the weave, the smoother the surface - often described
using a term called "thread-count." In order to pack so many
threads in a small space, the threads must be very thin.
Imagine how rough a sheet made of button thread would be!
Man-made fibers like polyester, nylon, and acetate can be made very
fine, which makes them perfect for
high-thread-count fabrics.
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Shininess comes from the
type of thread. Very few natural fibers are shiny; so
usually you must use a man-made fiber like polyester, nylon,
or acetate to get a shiny surface. In fact, you've probably seen
sheets described as "Sateen." These are usually
cotton sheets with very high thread counts (over 300 per inch)
that feel as smooth as normal satin sheets, but since they
are made of cotton, they are not shiny. So they really
aren't satin as the world typically views it.
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Bridal
quality satin sheets
When shopping for satin sheets skip over the term "Bridal
Quality." Everyone makes this
claim. It often means that they are made of acetate, but
does not mean that they are woven. Sometimes it is really
does mean the highest quality. Other times it's just a
buzzword. There is no consistent definition of bridal
quality, so just skip over it. The real key to quality is the weave
(described below)
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Weave:
This is the
most important factor when choosing among satin sheets.
NEVER buy "knit"
materials. They might be made of a shiny thread, but the
surface will be rough. Almost 100% of the "satin
sheet sets" you see in department stores are made of knit
acetate. When you get them home and put them on the bed,
you'll see the knit surface is not sexy at all. Knit fabrics may be
OK for satin bedspreads or satin comforters where looks are
what matters, but never for a
sleeping surface.
What you are looking for is "woven"
fabric. It's worth the (significantly) extra
money. But this is the only way to get smooth, high thread
counts. There are other manufacturing methods as well,
but almost all leave you with a less-smooth surface than a
woven material. |
Fabric: (the
following information comes from
Fabriclink.com)
All the following materials can be used to make high quality,
smooth satin sheets. Different companies make all sorts of
claims about which is best. Read the characteristics
below to decide for yourself.
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Acetate:
Made from wood fibers, so those with skin allergies
may have less problems. Closest to silk, including
silk's weaknesses. Woven acetate should only be
dry-cleaned, no matter what the store says. It
falls apart after about 10 or 15 washings. Dry
cleaning sheets is just too expensive - I can't
recommend acetate sheets to anyone. Note: Some knit
versions can be machine washed - but you DON'T want
knit satin! |
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Nylon:
Petroleum based, but stands up well to vegetable oil. Very
strong fabric, machine-washable. Typically thickest of
the fabrics. Very susceptible to
breakdown in sunlight, can have pilling problems after
washing. Be careful, some companies say
their sheets are nylon, and they are really acetate. |
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Polyester:
The first fabric really used for satin sheets, and the
best in my opinion.
Petroleum based, it is strong and machine washable. If you wear a
slip under your dress, it is likely made of woven
polyester. This is my personal favorite because
is so easy to care for (although hand-washing does
make it last longer). |
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Silk:
A natural fiber, known for eons for its exceptionally
fine thread and ability to be used to create satiny
fabrics. It is not as shiny as the man-made
materials, so it usually has a duller finish.
Silk sheets typically require hand-washing or
dry-cleaning and can tear easily. They also
cannot stand too much sunlight. Silk is also
extremely expensive.
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copyright
satin ann 2003 - 2004 |
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