Egyptian Cotton
Long staple variety from Egypt with fiber length of around 1 3/8 inches and is known for its luxurious softness. At one time Egyptian cotton sheets were sold primarily in the more expensive stores, but today you can find them in most linen departments. The longer the fiber, the more luxurious and durable the grade of cotton.
Pima cotton
Known for its strength and durability Pina cotton was developed in the southwestern U.S by careful breeding of Egyptian cottons which fiber length averages 1 1/2 inches.
SuPima
This is a certification mark used by members of the SuPima Association of America and certifies that the fabric is 100 percent Southwestern cotton grown by members of the association.
Thread Count
Thread count is the number of threads per-square-inch of fabric and determines the softness and durability of the item.
Sateen
This has a stitch of four over, one under, placing the most threads on the surface, making it lustrous and smooth, although not as durable as other weaves.
Pinpoint
This is a stitch of two over and one under. It is very durable, but not as soft as other weaves.
Percale
This term is used to indicate that the sheets have a thread count of 180 or higher.
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