THREAD COUNT: A Numbers Game

When buying sheets, always check the thread count, since it relates to how the sheets feel against your skin. Thread count indicates the number of yarns that are woven into a square inch of fabric. Typically, the higher the thread count, the denser and smoother the sheet.

A sheet, for example, with a thread count of 180 yarns per square inch will feel crisp, whereas a thread count of 200 will feel softer. But a 200-thread-count sheet isn't necessarily "better" than a 180, because it always comes down to individual preference.

The type of weave also impacts the texture and feel of sheets. A plain weave, also known as percale (180 to 400 thread count) is the simplest of weaves. It is the number of interlaced yarns in plain weave sheets that tend to give it a crisp feel.

Sheets constructed in a satin weave-- sateens, which can start as low as 200-thread-count, have yarns that usually float over four to seven yarns before being interlaced with others laid in the opposite direction. The floating yarns along the surface reflect the light, which gives the fabric its sheen and also its silky smooth texture. This construction, as well as with twills and jacquards, also allow for more yarns to be woven into the fabric, therefore achieving higher thread counts than a plain weave. These highly constructed sheets also tend to wrinkle less and drape better than plain woven sheets.

And just when you think you understand all these terms, there are some caveats. In the past few years, marketers have been aggressively selling the consumer on high thread counts. The perception is, "the higher the thread count, the better the sheet. In reality, this isn't always the case.

Some makers, for example, will crowd more yarns into plain and sateen weaves, thereby exceeding the fabric's thread count optimum. The result is a sheet that becomes stiffer after washing, not softer as properly made cotton sheets will over time. This explains why an 800-thread-count sateen sheet could feel stiffer than a 300-thread-count plain weave sheet.

In the meantime, when buying new sheets, try not to get hung up on thread count numbers. It all comes down to what feels good to you --so look for sheet samples and let your fingers do the shopping.