One of the more confusing aspects about buying sheets or bedding is trying to understand what is meant by ‘thread count’.  Thread count means - what are the number of threads, both vertical and horizontal, that occur in a one-inch square of fabric.  Cotton Incorporated’s Lifestyle Monitor™ 2001 survey, interviewed consumers and 29% of people interviewed, identified thread count as the most important element influencing the sheets they bought. This number increased in later surveys.  So it seems that many people believe that thread count is one of the most important factors in purchasing bedding for their home.

Cotton Inc. notes that people often don’t realize  that thread count in not a simple a process of counting the number of threads in a fabric. Rather, thread count is really based on a several factors, including the ply and the thickness of the threads used in addition to the manufacturing processes used”.  Thread count is affected by a number of engineering factors, including the ply and the yarn number of the yarns used to make woven fabric. In general, a higher sheet “thread count” is likely to mean “better quality” if one believes that “more is better” but other factors also influence the overall quality of cotton sheets.  Some of the other factors influencing thread count are things like ply, fiber length, thickness of the thread as well as the processing method.

Ply is a variant that refers to how many threads are wrapped together to form a single thread.  Single-ply fabrics, for example, use threads on their own, while two-ply fabrics (more durable) are formed when two pieces of thread are twisted together.  When you see a set of sheets with a 600 thread count, it could mean that the 600 thread count sheets are either 600 single-ply threads-per-inch, or 300 double-ply threads-per-inch.  Thread count variations can also occur depending upon the type of spinning system used, the fiber lengths, fiber content, yarn numbers, type of  woven construction (percale, sateen, jacquard), as well there are different ways of processing the cotton.

Do the numbers actually matter?    Not on their own.  Different types of cotton produce different type of cotton threads with varying degrees of silkiness, fineness or thickness. Finer thread generally creates smoother, softer fabrics, and is part of the reason why high thread count fabrics are considered more desirable. Finer threads also create a more delicate fabric. Egyptian cotton has a longer thread and undergoes a mercerization process, which results in a softer feel and increased fiber strength.  Long thread domestic cotton grown in the USA is called "pima" cotton, which is equally high in quality, but might have a different texture due to the manufacturing process.

Thread count should not be the only factor that you should consider in buying home bedding.  To make the best choice in purchasing cotton sheets:

o       Ensure you are purchasing the correct size of sheets to fit your bed

o       Measure the mattress (check the depth as well as the bed size)

o       Buy sheets that will give you the softness, warmth or comfort you prefer

o       Do you need more durable sheets (2 ply vs. 1 ply) ?

o       How much can you afford to pay for this sheet set?