For centuries and even millennia, bedding was an attribute of luxury, and only representatives of the higher layers of society used it. And this is not surprising, since before the invention of the semi-mechanical loom in the first half of the 18th century, the production of fabrics, especially with a wide canvas, required enormous physical costs and time. In general, bedding in the modern sense appeared in Europe only in the 15-16th centuries, and at the initial stage, each set was piece and, as it were said today, exclusive. Mass production was established centuries later, or rather, in the middle of the 20th century.
What fabrics are bedding made from?
Today, a variety of fabrics are used for its manufacture, mainly from linen, silk and cotton. In the latter case, satin, percale, jacquard, poplin or calico can be used for sewing the kit. Bed linen sewn from one or another fabric will differ not only in appearance, but also in operational characteristics.
If we consider from the point of view of the optimal ratio of price to quality, then preference should be given to sets of cotton fabrics. First of all, this is due to the fact that all of them, provided that they do not contain impurities of synthetic fibers, have excellent hygroscopicity, they do not form spools, and they do not cause allergies. The last condition, however, is true only when it comes to a kit manufactured at an enterprise that does not use dyes that are not intended for products of this kind.
Properties of Cotton Fabrics
In addition to the properties common to all types of textiles made only from cotton fibers, each of them has its own specific qualities, depending on the method of weaving the threads. In particular, the following fabrics are distinguished by this criterion : satin, percale, poplin and calico. They all look great and can decorate any bedroom.
Calico
As already mentioned, cotton is an ideal raw material for the production of fabrics intended for covering beds. Coarse calico, which was invented in Asia and was originally imported to Russia from Bukhara and Khiva, is especially popular. On the territory of the Russian Empire, it was first produced in Transcaucasia, and then in the city of Ivanovo, which to this day retains the unofficial title of the textile capital of our country. Despite the fact that Russians have been familiar with calico for more than 300 years, today you can hear the question of what bedding (calico or cotton) is better to buy. Obviously, it is meaningless, and most likely we are talking about the same fabric. In general, when calico (bedding) is considered, reviews are different, and a lot depends on which company is the kit manufacturer.
Poplin
Poplin bedding is considered durable and pleasant to the touch, but is much less popular than satin or calico. Most likely, this is due to the fact that in the Soviet period these fabrics were often used for sewing clothes, and sets of them in conditions of shortage were available only to a few. Looking for affordable but high-quality bedding? Coarse calico or poplin from well-known domestic manufacturers may be your ideal choice. The latter circumstance is especially important, since today on the market you can find fake kits. Judging by the reviews, such bedding is sold in an unpresentable package and sheds much. Moreover, if poplin sets are forged relatively rarely, then with coarse calico this happens all the time. In order not to become a victim of scammers and not to buy bedding, which will turn into a rag in a couple of washes, it should be remembered that a high-quality set of cotton fabric that does not contain synthetic impurities cannot cost less than 850-900 rubles (half size). You also need to try to find out what density calico has. Bed linens from well-known manufacturers should be quite heavy, and this parameter should be indicated on the package, which cannot be less than 110 g / sq. m, and ideally should reach 145 g / sq. m
Percale
This cotton fabric is somewhat more durable than calico. Percale bedding, like satin, belongs to the category of elite. It is so strong that at the dawn of the development of aviation was used for covering the wings of aircraft. At the same time, this fabric has a luster and a pleasant to the touch, and is not afraid of shrinkage and must be washed in a washing machine.
Satin
One of the main characteristics that are decisive in the selection of textile options for a bedroom is its durability and crush resistance. After all, no one wants to wake up in the morning on unprincipled looking crumpled sheets or spend money on the purchase of sets several times a year. If you are looking for such bedding, calico or satin can suit you to the fullest. True, the last fabric has a more presentable appearance, because thanks to the special process of twisting the threads, it has a beautiful sheen and greater strength. At the same time, a satin set costs 2, or even 2.5 times more, than the last linen of the same size, if calico was used for sewing.
Calico, bedding: reviews
Before buying a kit of a manufacturer, it makes sense to read an opinion on specific products on forums and specialized sites. It is especially worth paying attention to negative reviews, since the employees of textile factories and online stores who are entrusted with conducting an advertising campaign of the company often leave positive ones. According to the majority of buyers, among domestic manufacturers the best quality products provide Ivanovo textile workers. For example, a good choice is Shui bedding (calico), which is relatively inexpensive and at the same time serves 3-4 years. At the same time, a lot of fake kits can be found on the market. Despite the fact that their packaging is labeled “Shuisky chintz”, they have nothing to do with this plant, which has been operating since 1820. Today, this company produces sets from several collections, among which “Peach”, “Crepe”, “Thousand and One Nights” and others are especially demanded. Shuya bedding (calico) from the latest collection meets the requirements of GOST 31307-2005. It also has an original design, in which there are floral and oriental motifs.
Now you know how percale, poplin, satin and calico differ from each other. Bed linen is a household item that provides a comfortable sleep, which is very important for the health and well-being of any person, so you should choose it correctly and try to avoid fakes.