One of the most daunting issues when you are purchasing something that you do not buy regularly is remembering what you like, what you did in order to get it, or just remembering the process in general.
For me it always seems as if it is the terminology that throws me for a loop. I will learn the scoop for one purchase, research it, get everything straight in my head, and then half a year later? No clue.
My guess is if you are reading this blog, you may be in the same situation as you are trying to remember what sheets you like and why. Trust me, I get it.
First, let me just give you the straight-up dictionary.com definitions so we have somewhere to start.
- Percale is a closely woven, smooth-finished, plain or printed cotton cloth, used for bed sheets, clothing,
- Sateen is a strong cotton fabric constructed in satin weave and having a lustrous face.
Next, here’s something to compare that to that you can probably relate to.
- Percale has more of a feeling of linen or a man’s dress shirt. More “crispy” feeling.
- Sateen has more of the feeling of a well-loved silky baby’s blanket or favorite “luvie.”
Typically, percale is 100% cotton but can be blended with other fabrics as well. Percale that is 100% cotton can shrink with washing if you do not follow the specified instructions. Percale can also wrinkle a little more than other fabrics.
Sateen is obviously a play on the word satin and as a result, sateen feels silky and has a satin sleek feel. Not all sateen is shiny, however. Matte finishes do exist in sateen fabric.
Remember when you were little and you learned about weaving? It was probably in art class or when you were learning about a particular culture in social studies.
There’s a good chance you made something like this picture or have something like this in the attic somewhere.
Believe it or not, for those of us that are not crafty or weavers, there are many different types of patterns or weaves when fabrics are made that are determined by the weave that is chosen. And as a result, the feel of the fabric changes.
Here is an example. The percale weave is considered the basic weave, but the sateen weave has a pattern in which more of one weave is exposed. Think of a tight braid in your hair compared to a messier braid. Because of the differences in weave, more of the thread is exposed making it feel softer. And just as an FYI, this is the reasons that certain fabrics are more prone to snagging. (See? You never know what you are going to learn!)
Both percale and sateen are beautiful and neither really have any indication of being more formal than the other. Some people believe the crispness of the percale is more formal and gives more of a elegant hotel room feel while others love the sensuous regality of the sateen.
And as we have always believed at DreamFit, the choice is ultimately yours! So now that you have learned the differences and have so many options at DreamFit, quick, get shopping before you forget!
