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The LUXURY LINENS expert
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July 8, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Hello -
I just got finished reading the page where you describe the scams, etc. about egyptian cottons and thread counts. I had gone onto the tempurpedic mattress website:
http://www.tempurpedic.com/accessories/linens/C122/
and I noticed they advertise a “Supima Cotton 1020 Thread Count” Linen. My questions:
1. How does Supima compare to Egyptian and Pima?
2. Does this product fall under your description of scam since its over the 1,000+ mark you alert us to not by into?
3. Can you recommend a shop/website or specific wording to search for superior luxury linens? (money not an object)
Thank you!
Justin
July 9, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Hello Justin,
tempurpedic is great for mattress not really for bed sheets!
From a quick review of the link you sent it’s completely missing any information regarding the country of origin, and the price seems to be too low for a real 1,000TC. These elements make me a little suspicious about the actual quality of the sheets. Not that Tempurpedic is a scammer as it is a well established and respectable company, still bed linens are not their core business and not what they have been known in the market.
Regarding your question Supima is not a “quality” of cotton different than Pima since Supima is the promotional organization of the American Pima cotton growers. The Board of Directors of this non-profit organization is composed of Pima growers from the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. For more information visit http://www.supima.com.
Regarding some suggestion for real high quality luxury linens store I would reccomend to visit:
http://www.belvivere.com
http://www.sferralinens.com
http://www.schweitzerlinen.com
I hope you would be able to find what You are looking for and this information is helpful to You.
Kind regards.
June 21, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Help! I have a down duvet and love to use it. However, when I make the bed, the box stitching shows and looks lumpy. I cover it with an ivory matelasse, which I want to use, but do not like the look when the bed is made. Also, I have custom euro pillow shams (which match the bedskirt) that I put at the head board, followed with the matelasse standard pillow sham, followed with the bed pillows (which are ivory), and a colorful strip accent pillow in front of it (which coordinates with the euro shams). And of course, I have the ivory matelasse over the bed. I just can’t seem to make it look right! Please give me any suggestions. Thanks. Agnes
June 21, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Hello Agnes,
you definitely need a duvet cover. It is like a giant pillow case that you fill with your down duvet. That gives a more clean look to the bed, especially if you add on some matching pillow shams. You can still use your ivory matelasse, maybe you can just keep it folded at the bottom of the bed over the duvet cover. I think that canmake a very nice look for your bed.
June 21, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Thanks for your email. Would you recommend a duvet cover that is completely plain (I am looking at one on Ebay that is 500tc Egyptian cotton, ivory, with a flange), or do I need a tone on tone pattern. The matelasse has a diamond pattern on top and a design on the sides (King Charles by Bates). I went looking again today and came home more confused. Agnes PS The salesclerk at Macys thought my down duvet might be “worn out” since it is so lumpy (it is about 8 years old). If I replaced it, would you do a down or down alternative?
June 22, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Hello Agnes,
a plain duvet cover will match easily your current bedding. On the other hand if you want to give more of a decorative accent to your bed, some kind of pattern on the duvet cover (and maybe some shams to match) will greatly enhance your bedroom decor. That is up to you depends if you want to have a more plain, hotel style look or like more of a contrast.
June 22, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Please do use a duvet cover. Not just for a finished look, but to protect your down comforter investment. If your religious about keeping the down comforter covered you will not only save on dry cleaning bills but also keep the down from absorbing all that we humans ‘shed’ at night. Down is very absorbent and if it does get wet or stains absorb you risk having a mold situation. Another reason for never storing a down comforter in a plastic bag off season. The same way a pillowcase protects our pillows the duvet cover keeps all the body sweats and secretions, hair products and cosmetics from harming your down investment.(I know,gross but a real consideration) Most manufacturers will say that if you protect a down comforter at ALL times with a duvet you don’t need to dry clean for about 4-5 years. The last time I had my queen size down comforter dry cleaned it was $65 and that was the lowest price I could find locally. As much as I love the look of my down comforter by itself I ‘d rather save the considerable money towards a LUXURY Linen sheet set! Have a wonderful week kids! I had a good laugh yesterday. Found out that a jealous co-worker refers to me as ‘that fine linens hoe’ Imagine my surprise, I’ll tell you if I where 30 years younger…
June 22, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Hey Agnes, At one time I had a similar situation with my down comforter appearing ‘bumpy or just not finished looking. So now I have staged the top of the bed more 3 dimensional. I used the coverlet spread flat out, pillows in their usual area and I folded my comforter into thirds and have it at the foot of the bed. Now there is a much better contrast. At night I fold down my coverlet to the foot area or pull it off all together. It would be too warm to sleep with anything other than the down. Sweet dreams for all of us! Debi
June 19, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Hello, I have a WONDERFUL set of queen sheets. Tag inside says “500TC 100%combed cotton RN# 0100615 Pakistan” Does this RN# help to find out who makes these sheets? I would love to find them somewhere. As you are the EXPERT I certainly hope you are familiar. You have yourself a wonderful, prosperous weekend! Debi
June 20, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Hello Debi,
unfortunately “RN# 0100615 Pakistan” is just a generic Reference Number and country of origin, it does not say much about the manufacturer/importer. I believe it should be some big box chain store such as Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target or the Great Indoors but I am just trying to guess.
June 20, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Imagine that. I’m not big on imports and was very surprised when I saw origin. Anythings possible besides Egyptian Cotton I have some Supima’s that are quite nice. I certainly thank you. I do know this. I have bought 1000TC even 1200 TC’s that weren’t half as nice as these 500 TC’s. I believe they had some sort of micro fiber involved. To me they felt like polyester the way they trap body heat. As humans we all sweat and actually shed hairs, secrete mucous and skin cells as well as left over hair products and cosmetics debris while we sleep. Not trying to be gross just honest. Myself, I realized I like cottons ability to evaporate better than man made fibers. I use down comforters with a 100% cotton duvet. As long as your super careful to keep a Down duvet covered at all times cotton protects the down as well. Air drying my linens in the sunshine keeps them really fresh. I can’t explain the difference in the quality of my sleep, its just way better since I got hooked on fine linens. It seems like when you’ve slept good, life’s challenges are more easy to cope with. I Thank You and have yourself a GREAT week!
June 21, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Hi Debi,
I completely agree with you. There is a huge difference between natural fibers and man made fibers. Your overall sleeping experience is definitely better.
And if you want to go to next level on natual fibers, try pure linen (better if Belgian or Irish). It’s fresh and breathable really great for the summer. I know it wrinkles, but that’s part of its stylish appeal. Isn’ it?
June 1, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Hello,
I truly hope you can help me as I have looked every where for answers! Recently I purchased a never used, 9 piece dinner set from an elderly woman at a yardsale. It is in the original box with paper “Produtto Italiano” tags with hand written markings.It says “Pure linen, hand embroidered” on the front. It is beautiful but I am dying to know if it is worth anything. The outside of the box and tag feature a large picture of a woman in a dress with a needle in hand, embroidering. Have you ever seen this label before? Thank you for your help in advance!
-Ashley
June 1, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Hello Ashley,
please send me pictures as detailed as possible of the hand written tags, folding paper, outside of the box and of any other piece of information you may think is helpful. Also send a close up picture of the embroidery, and possibly of the placement of the embroidered motifs on the tablecloth itself.
As regards to the 9 pieces set, is that made of a tablecloth and 8 napkins? If so do you know the finished size of the tablecloth?
I know it’s lot of information but it’s necessary to provide a proper estimate.
I am emailing this same message so you can reply and attach pictures.
April 29, 2010 at 7:04 am
Dear Sir’s
We are going in for sateen weave 4 up i down , as a new selection for bedsheet , my argument is that the life of the sateen bedsheet will be fat less than percale bed sheet we are using
How can I make my mamangement understand this
What will be close approximate reduction in life over the use in comparison to plain bed sheet
What should I keep my new budget more by
I.S.Mahal
April 29, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Dear Mr. Mahal,
sateen is not less durable in itself compared to percale plain weave. You just have to make sure the sateen quality is possibly Egyptian cotton of at least 300 thread count. Yarn count should be at least 60′ and single ply is highly reccomended. If you follow this quality guidelines the lifespun of bed linens should not be affected and they would even be nicer and softer after frequent washings.