Article Sphere Logo

What is Thread Count?

By Expert Author: Kiran Joseph | Article Abstract
Word Count: 427 words | Views: 132 view(s)
Thread count is a measure of quality of fabrics used for bedding. This measure of quality looks at the fineness or coarseness of a fabric; in this case it mostly refers to bed linens like sheets and pillowcases. Thread count is the number of threads going each way in one square inch of fabric.

Thread count is measured by counting the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric. Thread counts average from lowest (80) to highest (1200). Most are usually between 180 and 300, and anything above 300 is considered higher quality.

Higher thread count means more threads, and this usually translates into a more densely woven fabric that lasts longer and is many times softer. Some exceptions to this rule are fabrics made of linen, flannel, or jersey.

Fabrics like linen, flannel, or jersey are subject to low thread count because of the type of material they are made of and the properties of that material. For example, part of the softness of flannel comes from its low thread count because of the material it's made from.

Ply and thickness are two factors that also affect thread count. The ply is defined as the number of threads that are wrapped into a single thread. Single-ply refers to the use of single threads in the construction of a fabric. Two-ply refers to materials that twist two threads together into a single thread, thus increasing the fabric's thread count and creating a stronger thread. This creates a heavier, more durable fabric.

Using finer threads often allows for softer, smoother fabrics and more fit into a square inch. Finer thread, like silk, create a lighter fabric, and are thus more desire able than coarser threads. They are also more fragile, so it is important to care for them especially well.

While thread count is important in picking your bed linens, remember that cotton and silk are the main types of materials to judge based on a high or low thread count. Other materials like linen, flannel, and jersey may have a lower thread count, but this doesn't mean they aren't comfortable. Blends are also common, and often create softer materials. Jersey-cotton blends, for example, are ideal for baby sheets and other types of baby bedding.

When in doubt, see what feels the best. You're best off visiting a fabric store and exploring the many different kinds of materials to find out how a fabric feels. Knowing what you're going to get makes your sheet shopping experience easier and more rewarding, especially if you're shopping online.

http://www.sheetworld.com
Kiran Joseph

About the Author/Author Bio

By Kiran Joseph from sheetworld.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/What-is-Thread-Count-/13303

Article Submitted: 2006-03-02 | This Article has been viewed 132 times.

Rate Article

Related Videos

HALLOWEENY WEDNESDAYS: MUMMY COSTUME
Counting Sixteenth Note Patterns
Playing Time Signatures
Difference between 4/4 and 6/8
How to Change the Thread of a Sewing Machine
 

More "Reference And Education" Related Articles

 
 

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Reference And Education" article category.

People interested in the above article "What is Thread Count?" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

 
Because of the nature of the Internet, all distance learning schools are subject to questioning of their value and social impact. To find the best distance learning online graduate school degrees or other degree courses, you will need to consider certain aspects of the different distance learning schools before you choose one.
The financial pressures placed on people today are far greater than any previous generation. With gas prices soaring to levels previously unheard of and the economy crashing to the ground under the pressure of bloated credit accounts and bad mortgages it makes sense that any person in the workplace today wants to always find that edge that keeps them ahead of everyone else.
Pressure to succeed academically is becoming greater and greater in the United Kingdom. Students are expected to reach stringent government targets at key stages 2, 3 and 4. Teachers often do not have the time to go over topics with students if they 'don't get things first time'. So invariably parents are turning to an alternative solution, private home tuition.
ESL prides itself on being the premier language institution that caters to the majority of students and is placed among the top in the world. Our centres in Switzerland are a testimony to the fact that French Language School genre has more or less become synonymous with ESL.
The Internet has of course taken over many aspects of our lives and now it has also become a medium for you to become better educated. The tool that helps you do this is called distance learning education, which is very convenient since it means that you don't even have to step outside of your home in order to earn a degree or diploma. There are numerous distance learning education programs.
It is heartening to learn that when it concerns distance learning and education there has been a worldwide swell in popularity with many educators finding this form of education to be a vehicle with which to better the many millions of people in different and remote places on the planet. Government agencies and many companies from the private and public sector are investing their time and money in getting involved with distance learning and education.
As a single mom, I've had to pay my way through college with grants and scholarships. So, I've looked at a lot of different programs and along the way, I've found several minority women scholarships that I'd like to share with you.
 
Article Directory Home All Categories Reference And Education
 

Can't find what you're looking for? Try Google Search!
 
Copyright © 2005 - by Larry Lim, Singapore - Article Search Engine Directory at ArticleSphere.com™
All Rights Reserved Worldwide. All Trademarks and Servicemarks are the property of the respective owners.

Afrikaans Albanian Arabic Belarusian Bulgarian Catalan Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Croatian Czech Danish German English Estonian Filipino Finnish French Galician Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Icelandic Indonesian Irish Italiano Japanese Korean Latvian Lithuanian Macedonian Malay Maltese Dutch Norwegian Persian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbian Slovak Slovenian Spanish Swahili Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian Vietnamese Welsh Yiddish