Where to buy Egyptian Cotton Sheets

[MiniMouse]

In 2.5 weeks time hubby and I will be heading back to the States for our yearly month''s vacation (yippee!). I''m trying to sort out our Internet shopping this week, so that we have a whole heap of goodies waiting for us at home in Seattle, to bring back to Saudi Arabia with us. Top of my list is 1200 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and duvet covers. We bought some from Overstock.com last year and wonder if any of you have any recommendations on where else to buy at good prices.

Also need to order some high scented candles, but will probably order from Circle E Candles, as we were happy with their candles last year.

I get so excited at the thought of normal shopping during vacations. I just can''t wait.

 

[Mara]

i was just going to suggest overstock or smartbargains.com...those two have the best deals on sheets that i have found anywhere !!

 

[MiniMouse]

Thanks Mara, it''s good to get input from ''shopping queens''. We were pleased with the sheets from Overstock.com but there''s one drawback... I''m trying to be sneaky in buying more sheets without hubby knowing, but Overstock don''t allow the use of International credit cards using a USA delivery address, so if I want sheets, I have to get hubby to order them on his credit card. That''s not good news when he thinks the two sets of sheets we bought last year is enough! I need to find a way round this, you know what men are like. I just fancy some white and pale blue sheets, they''d look cool in the searing temperatures here in Saudi. He doesn''t understand. I''ll have to make him understand

 

[Mara]

For scented candles, I really love Illuminations stuff in their aromatherapy line, I don''t know if they still have them but their lemongrass and also their tangerine are VERY scented...i love lemongrass!! and they smell even when not burning which i love because then i just tend not to ever burn them and save them.

Also Votivo brand candles smell lovely when burning and have unique scents (red currant is my fave), but are pricey, about $25 per 3x3ish candle in a glass.

I know we have a few sets of sheets and Greg is always like why do we have so many? Guess I shouldn''t tell him I am ordering another set for us and one for the guest room bed this spring! I also want to go through our linen closet and clean out old stuff too, some of our old sets don''t match. Seriously at Overstock''s prices, I would never shop anywhere for linens EVER again. I can''t stomach paying $100 for a 400 thread count sheet set, $49 is more my speed!

 

[MiniMouse]

Ooh, thanks for the tip re candles. Hubby did mention Illuminations and their website is rather persuasive, to say the least.

As for linens, I can''t get enough of them. We bought the wheat (gold color) and linen (coffee color) 1200tc sheets from Overstock.com last year and they are wonderful. We definitely need more, although I do like the thought of having white, ivory and light blue colored ones, which will look so fresh in such a hot climate. I looked on eBay but some of the sheets look like those from Overstock, except more expensive! There are a few I''m keeping an eye on though, just in case they go for a bargain price. It doesn''t hurt to look does it

Unfortunately we need to buy the higher thread counts, only because of the poor quality water over here - it''s more like a nuclear wash! The cheaper sheets just can''t hack it.

 

[Sundial]

Frontgate carries some nice high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and sometimes you can find things on sale.

 

[Mara]

Mini our bedroom is done in whites and blues with dark coffee mahogany furniture and it''s very cooling in the summer, I typically buy white or soft blue sheets, love how the blues do relax you and make you feel cooler...in a very hot climate that would be a must!

 

[widget]

Can I ask you shopping gurus a question (that someone my age should already know)?

Which type cotton sheeting is the "crispiest" feeling? Do you know what I mean? I think sateen cottons, while pretty, are softer in feel than I like.

Damask is soft too, isn''t it?

Thanks for any insight...

widget

 

[Mara]

I believe crispest cotton would not be pima or sateen or egyptian or anything like that, it would probably almost be a low thread count percale cotton, aka like a 200 - 300 thread count 100% cotton.

I found a webpage online once that told the differences in the cotton and feel, I will have to see if I can find it again.

Pima is super soft and limp feeling almost; sateen can be crisper or limper depending on thread count IMO; and Egyptian is typically softer...

It has to do with how 'long and smooth' the cotton fibers are I believe as to how soft it feels. I think the crispest (for me uncomfortable!) sheets I have ever felt are those that have a low thread count of percale cotton and end up feeling more starchy and thick.

ETA: Found this online:

It makes all the difference in world when buying linens to know that Egyptian Cotton is better than others and what is percale versus sateen. I have outlined below the definition of terms you should be familiar with when buying linens.

Cotton- Soft white vegetable fiber from ½ to 2 inches long, which comes from a fluffy boll of the cotton plant, grown in Egypt, India, China, and southern US American cottons include acala, upland, peeler, pima, and Sea Island.

Egyptian Cotton- A general classification for the strong, lustrous, long staple cotton produced largely in the Nile River Valley. The fibers vary from a light crème to dark tan color. Egypt is the world’s largest producer of better quality cottons.

Jacquard- Elaborate woven or knitted pattern made on Jacquard loom. Each wrap yarn is controlled separately by use of a pattern on a punched card. Fabrics may have a background of plain, rib, satin, or sateen weave with a design usually in satin weave.

Percale- A plain weave, lightweight, piece dyed or printed cotton fabric made of carded yarns, with a firm balanced construction. Combed cotton percale sheetings, the finer of the two types, are smooth, luxurious, plain weave fabrics. The finer sheetings of combed yarn are often called true percale.

Sateen Smooth glossy cotton fabric made in the sateen weave with floating fillings on the right side, given a lustrous finish and used mainly for linings.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 3/12/2006 3:21:08 PM
Author: widget
Can I ask you shopping gurus a question (that someone my age should already know)?

Which type cotton sheeting is the ''crispiest'' feeling? Do you know what I mean? I think sateen cottons, while pretty, are softer in feel than I like.

Damask is soft too, isn''t it?

Thanks for any insight...

widget

100% cotton with a fairly low thread count will feel "crispier" - say 200 or 250 thread count.

 

[widget]

Thanks, Mara and Alj....

Hmmm...interesting! Since higher thread count is supposed to be "better", then I guess I have plebian tastes in sheeting!

OK...another question: There is a marked difference in prices between similar items with the same thread count. Are the imported Italian linens actually better than the more affordable ones? How?

Or is it just a snob appeal thing?

Thanks!
widget

 

[monarch64]

Yes, a cotton sheet with a lower thread count (2-300) will feel crisper to begin with, but over time and with washes, it will soften considerably. If you want a very durable sheet, I would say go with a cotton/poly or cotton/linen blend. Linen is 2-3 times more durable than cotton, BUT a linen/cotton blended sheet will be much more prone to wrinkling, as linen is (and you probably know this from actually wearing the fiber) less resilient, or wrinkle-resistant, than cotton. By blending cotton with a synthetic fiber such as polyester, the sheet becomes more wrinkle-resistant. I''m talking about your everyday, budget-conscious sheets here, not the luxury Italian linens.

Mara is correct--the length of the fiber has everything to do with the hand, or feel of the fabric. Basically, the longer and smoother (more processed) the fiber is, the softer the hand. Part of the appeal of synthetic fiber is that they can be made any length and blended with natural fibers to create a cheaper, but durable, version of a natural fiber.

Others are also correct in saying you will have a crisper feel with a lower thread count.

I have a BS degree in Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising, btw! However, it''s been a while since I''ve had to use my textiles knowledge, lol! Hope this helps!

 

[sunkist]

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever tried a 1000 thread count sheet? Is it worth the $$ ?

 

[monarch64]

Date: 3/12/2006 9:12:40 PM
Author: widget
Thanks, Mara and Alj....

Hmmm...interesting! Since higher thread count is supposed to be ''better'', then I guess I have plebian tastes in sheeting!

OK...another question: There is a marked difference in prices between similar items with the same thread count. Are the imported Italian linens actually better than the more affordable ones? How?

Or is it just a snob appeal thing?

Thanks!
widget

Widget, I believe the price of Italian linens has much to do with the fact that the cottons are hand-picked, rather than being picked by machinery. Apparently the machinery used to pick cotton can damage the fibers, resulting in lower quality linens. Thus, higher prices.

 

[monarch64]

Date: 3/13/2006 12:04:58 AM
Author: sunkist
Out of curiosity, has anyone ever tried a 1000 thread count sheet? Is it worth the $$ ?

Sunkist, it depends on whether you''re looking for softness or durability, I suppose. Also the quality of fibers, as has been discussed above, will apply.

 

[Ann]

I bought a set of 800 thread count from Overstock and was not that impressed. They were not as soft as my 350 thread''s but I know I have to wash them a bunch more. But they wrinkle like crazy. I am going to do more research and buy the best 600''s maybe next time.

 

[MiniMouse]

Mara, Alj and Monarch, thanks for all the advice and education. I didn''t realise how little I know.

Sundial - you are right, Frontgate do sell 1200tc cotton sheets, but a little beyond my budget. Overstock are such good value at $129 for 1200tc. We bought some last year and are delighted with them. I think we''ll be return customers this month.

Widget - you asked some great questions, I benefitted from the replies as well. Thank you.

Sunkist - we sleep on 1200tc cotton sheets (from Overstock). However, our reason for doing so is more to do with durability rather than anything else. Here in Saudi, the water supplied to us for laundry wrecks fabrics. The only cottons that seem to get through the ''nuclear wash'' unscathed are heavy cottons, as they survive frequent washing.

I personally love the higher threadcount and the more we wash them, the softer they get. Just bear in mind that the sheets are a lot heavier than your regular 200-300tc sheets so that takes a bit of getting used to. One downside with the higher threadcount is that they wrinkle a lot, but over here laundering and ironing only costs 80 pence at the dry cleaner''s for a whole king size sheet set, so we get the sheets back looking like new each time we send them for washing.

I''d be happy with lower threadcount if they survived our wash, but unfortunately they don''t, so we have to pay more for higher tc as they last longer. My last set of 250tc sheets were shreaded in 5 washes!

 

[MiniMouse]

Date: 3/12/2006 2:42:28 PM
Author: Mara
Mini our bedroom is done in whites and blues with dark coffee mahogany furniture and it''s very cooling in the summer, I typically buy white or soft blue sheets, love how the blues do relax you and make you feel cooler...in a very hot climate that would be a must!

Mara, I forgot to mention that I think your bedroom colors sound absolutely devine - so cool and refreshing, yet the mahogany furniture would add enough warmth so the room doesn''t look clinical. I wish we had such choice of furniture, soft furnishings etc over here. However, being here will enable us to retire early, so the sacrifice is hopefully worthwhile and I can make up for the lack of shopping when we return to the States

Just won an Annippe 1200tc Egyptian king size light blue cotton sheet set on eBay for $100, so I''m pleased. They use organically grown Egyptian cotton which is hand picked. Here''s a link to their eBay store, which also includes their current eBay listings.
http://stores.ebay.com/Anippe-Wholesale
I''ll be back in the States in 2.5 weeks time and will report back what the sheets are like. Unbelievable how excited I''ve got over such a relatively boring purchase, but when you live in a boring country such as I....