Between The Sheets Blog

If you are looking for Satin pillowcases you have come to the right place for information. The first thing you need to know is that the tem “Satin” doesn’t mean a fabric.  It is actually the term for a weave.

The satin weave is made with four or more  weft yarns floating over a warp yarn or vice versa. This explains the even shine typical of satin, as unlike in other weaves, the light hitting the fabric is reflected making it shiny.

Satin when applied to a fabric usually means Pure Silk or Polyester Satin. If you buy Satin Pillowcases of  good quality Poly Satin you will get a lovely silky pillowcase which will be soft and sensual to the touch. Polyester Satin pillowcases are easy care and can be machined washed at 40C.

For a real touch of Luxury choose Pure Silk Satin Pillowcases. They are beautiful to sleep on and are a real beauty aid – preventing the formation of wrinkles and stopping that ‘bedhead’ look first thiing in the morning.

The special weave of the satin makes the fabric soft and your skin and hair just glide over the surface when you move. Cotton and similar fabrics by comparison catch and snag your delicate skin and pull at your  hair causing it to frizz.

To find out more about Beautiful Satin Pillowcases from a UK manufacturer Just Click Here

What is a wonderful beauty aid that will prevent the formation of wrinkles, protect your skin during sleep and prevent your hair getting that ‘bedhead’ look in the morning?

It’s a simple pillowcase -  but made from  extraordinary luxurious Pure Mulberry Silk. Only the finest silk will do and the greatest benefits are found when using Silk Pillow Cases  hand-crafted from the most exquisite 100% Pure Chinese finest A grade long fibre Satin Mulberry Silk

Our Pure Silk Bed Linen is Hypoallergenic and an organic fibre. Silk is a natural, breathable fabric which wicks away moisture, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer, aiding restful sleep. Silk is gentle on the skin. The unique properties of silk means  that your skin glides across the pillow case as you turn at night. Using a silk pillow case  slows down skin aging signs and keeps your hair looking great.

 Silk bed linen is beneficial for a whole host of skin ailments and is a recommended for the prevention and treatment of allergies. Our Vanilla White silk is particularly suitable being natural and undyed.

To  find lots more information on Silk Pillowcases and Silk Bed Linen Just Click Here

King Sized Beds

Many people when asked will say they have a King Sized bed. However there are several King Bed sizes that may cause you some confusion. If you bought your bed from Ikea you will find that it is a European King and it is possible that you have an American Eastern King or even a Californian King.

To help you will find  the common  sizes of King Beds below.  The fitted sheets size will be the same as your mattress size.  You may have a deeper than standard mattress and you will find lots more information on all bed sizes. Just Click Here

UK King Size Bed Measurements

1. Fitted sheet – 150cm x 200cm x 20cm
2. Flat sheet – 265cm x 275cm
3. Duvet Cover – 225cm x 220cm
4. Waterbed Fitted Sheet – 183cm x 214cm

European King Size Bed Measurements

1. Fitted sheet – 160cm x 200cm x 20cm
2. Flat sheet – 265cm x 275cm
3. Duvet Cover – 240cm x 220cm
4. Waterbed Fitted Sheet – 183cm x 214cm

Eastern King

1. Fitted sheet – 76″ x 80″x8″
2. Flat sheet – 110″ x 114″
3. Duvet Cover – 102″ x 86″
4. Comforters – 112″ x 106″

California King

1. Fitted sheet – 73″ x 85″x8″
2. Flat sheet – 110″ x 114″
3. Duvet Cover – 102″ x 86″
4. Comforters – 114″ x 106″

Bed Sizes

Many people do not know what size bed they have. This means when they buy bed linen they find that the sheets simply do not fit. Too small so they are always pinging off during the night  or too large so they ruck up uncomfortably while you sleep.

How to measure your bed

Check out our handy page showing how to measure your bed and many of the UK, Euro, US and world sizes of Bed linen that we stock as standard at www.betweenthesheets.co.uk/bed-size-guide.htm

And look at our video which shows you how to measure your bed  and make sure that you get the right size bedding to fit.

Many people get confused about European bed sizes. In recent years there have been a number of changes to the variety of bed sizes on offer so that it is quite easy to buy a bed and then find that you have great difficulty in finding bed linen to fit your bed . Companies like Ikea  only stock Swedish sizes which is fine but for the fact that they make and sell a very limited range of bed linen. The UK market has also been a target for the large European bed manufacturers as UK consumers demand wider and longer beds with much deeper mattresses.

So where to start? We don’t want to alarm you but there are over 20 standard sizes commonly found across the EU. The standard European sizes are below and these are the dimensions you will need for fitted sheets, dimensions are always shown with the width first, then the length and then the depth of the mattress.

Euro Single 90 x 190 x 20

Euro Single Long 90 x 200 x 20

Euro Single Ex Long 90 x 220 x 20

Euro Single Deep 90 x 190 x 26

Euro Single Long Deep 90 x 200 x 26

Euro Double 140 x 200 x 20

Euro Double Long 140 x 220 x 20

Euro Double Deep 140 x 200 x 26

Euro King 160 x 200 x 20

Euro King Deep 160 x 200 x 26

Euro King Long 160 x 220 x 20

Euro King Long Deep 160 x 220 x 26

Euro Super King 200 x 200 x 20

Euro Super King Deep 200 x 200 x 26

Euro Super King Long 200 x 220 x 26

Euro Super King Long Deep 200 x 220 x 26

UK Single 90 x 190 x 20

UK Single Deep 90 x 190 x 26

UK Double 135 x 190 x 20

UK Double Deep 135 x 190 x 26

UK King 150 x 200 x 20

UK King Deep 150 x 200 x 26

UK Super King 183 x 200 x 20

UK Super King Deep 183 x 200 x 26

We have shown both standard and deep mattress depths as it is quite likely that your mattress is 26cm or 10″ deep. If you buy a standard fitted sheet it will not fit your deeper mattress and will “ping off” during the night. Take care before buying bed linen to make sure you know the dimensions of your bed.

If you want to know more about bed and fitted sheet sizes take a look at our special bed sizes page.
Please Click Here

Many people get confused about UK bed sizes. In recent years there have been a number of changes to the variety of bed sizes on offer so that it is quite easy to buy a bed and then find that you have great difficulty in finding bed linen to fit your bed . Companies like Ikea don’t supply standard UK sizes. Unsurprisingly they only stock Swedish sizes which is fine but for the fact that they make and sell a very limited range of bed linen. The UK market has also been a target for the large US bed manufacturers as UK consumers demand wider and longer beds with much deeper mattresses.

So where to start? The standard UK sizes are below, dimensions are always shown with the width first, then the length and then the depth of the mattress.

Single                90 x 190 x 20cm        3′ x 3′ 6″  x 8″ deep mattress

Double             135 x 190 x 20cm      4′ 6″ x 6′ 3″  x 8″ deep mattress

King                 150 x 200 x 20cm     5′  x 6’6″ x 8″ deep mattress

Super King   183 x 200 x 20cm     6′ x 6’6″ x 8″ deep mattress

It’s a simple as that BUT it is quite likely that your mattress is 26cm or 10″ deep. If you buy a standard fitted sheet it will not fit your deeper mattress and will “ping off” during the night. Take care before buying bed linen to make sure you know the dimensions of your bed.

If you want to know more about bed sizes take a look at our special bed sizes page. Please Click Here

Definitions of Bed Linen Types

Duvet

A duvet, (the word comes from the French for down) is also known as a continental quilt. A Duvet is a soft flat bag traditionally filled with down or feathers, or often a micofibre filling and used on a bed , usually with no other bed cover.A duvet is similar to a comforter and/or a quilt in that a duvet is also composed of two layers of fabric with an insulation substance between. However, the difference between a duvet and a comforter and/or quilt is that the duvet is to be placed inside a duvet cover.

Duvet Cover

A giant pillowcase-like covering that fits over a duvet. It is open on one end, typically closed by snaps. The purpose a duvet cover is to protect the duvet and be decorative.
In North America Duvets are less common than Europe where Comforters are more commonly used.

Comforter

Is a bed covering which is similar to  duvet in style but usually made of decorative fabric and designed to be used without a cover.
Comforters often feature decorative machine quilting patterns to hold the fill in place that add feature to the design of the item.
Comforters are usually used with Pillow Shams.

Pillow Shams

Usually made of the same fabric that makes a comforter or quilt.They are a decorative cover for a pillow.  Because they are purely decorative  you don’t sleep on pillows covered by a pillow sham.They are usually removed from the bed during the night or may be placed behind the pillows and in front of the bed head. When making a bed, pillow sham covered pillows are usually placed on top or in front of pillows.

Fitted Sheet

A fitted sheet is designed to correctly fit on to your mattress and stay put. A fitted sheet properly manufactured will a. Be elasticated all the way around so that the tuck under your mattress stays put and the sheet does not ‘ping’ off during the night. And b.  Will be correctly sized for the dimensions of your mattress including the depth which can vary from 8″ – 20″ deep!
Many people have a problem finding the correct size for their bed . Please look at our Bed Size Guide where there is information on how to measure your bed and bed size gudes  to ensure you get the right fitted sheet for your bed. Be very careful that any fitted sheet is elasticated all the way round. Cheap, poorly made fitted sheets are often sold with pocket corners. These do not work and you will forever be remaking your bed! You may be interested in looking at our UK bed sizes post.

Flat Sheet

As it says a flat oblong piece of bed linen. Hemmed at edges. Good quality flat sheets often have a cuff at the top.

Valances

A Valance is a skirt of material which covers the bottom part of a bed between the base of a mattress and the floor.

There are  four main types of valance.

Hook and Loop Valance 

 Hook and loop (Velcro style) Valances are ideal for wooden beds, Hook and loop is supplied to stick to the underside of the bed frame and
the valance has Hook and loop attached and simply attach to the frame.

Platform Valance 

 Perfect for divan beds. Valances can be simply laid over the bed base beneath the mattress. These platform Valances always drape beautifully and remain firmly in place.

Split Corner Valance

The perfect valance for metal framed beds and four posters.

Collar Valance 

 The Collar valance simply tucks between the mattress and the bed base. Ideal for those with a heavier mattress.

For more information on Valances Please Click Here

Pillowcases

A pillowcase is a decorative and protective bag for a pillow.  Pillowcases come in a very wide variety of sizes which vary from country to country.

Common pillowcase sizes are :-

Standard 49 x 74cm
Contour 41 x 58cm
Pillow Case Euro 65 x 65 cm
Pillow Case Euro 65 x 100cm
Pillow Case Euro 40 x 80cm
Pillow Case Euro 50 x 60cm
Pillow Case Euro 80 x 80 cm
Waterbed King 50 x 91cm

In addition there are many other sizes all of which can be found by Clicking Here

We will be adding more information to this blog.  If you have any questions related to bed linen terms please ask and we will try to help.

What is “thread count” mean in Bed Linen? 

The number of threads contained in one square inch of fabric, including both the length (warp) and width (weft) threads. Note: This is often a misleading judge of quality since one yarn that is made by twisting together two finer threads could be counted multiple times. Having said that,  better quality bed linen should have a thread count of 200  – 400.

You should also take care in taking thread count as an overiding sign of quality.  If the threads are of poor quality then the  fabric will not be of high quality whatever the thread count.

Different threads also have very different structures and properties. Bamboo Bed Linen fabric is normally made in a thread count of 250. However the feel of the finished material is very similar to that of a 400 thread count cotton but with a softer handle.

What is Satin?

Many people get confused with the word Satin . It is widely thought that it is a type of fabric like Cotton but it is not.  Satin is a term for a weave. It is usually used to describe fabrics made from long filaments.

Satin is a weave that typically has a glossy surface and a dull back. It is a warp-dominated weaving technique that forms a minimum number of interlacings in a fabric. A fabric formed with a satin weave using filament fibres such as silk,  or polyester, is termed a satin fabric . If  yarns such as cotton are used, the fabric formed is considered a sateen.
A satin-woven fabric tends to have a high lustre due to the high number of floats on the fabric. Floats are missed interlacings, where the warp yarn lies on top of the weft yarn, or vice versa. The floats tend to make the fabric look glossier as well as give it a smoother surface.

Satin fabrics make beautiful soft tactile bed linen. To find out more about Polyester Satin and Silk Satin take a look here

PU Bed Linen – Shiny and Sexy

The wildest bed linen on the planet!  Shiny and Sexy PU Bedding. PU Bed linen is made from a sensational fabric which is second to none for its eye-catching shinyness. PU  bedding has a super soft shiny surface and create an  exotic ambience and a truly erotic. The fabric is sometimes incorrectly descibed as PVC .

PU sheets  are completely waterproof and are great to use with massage oils and body lotions. They are completely washable at 40C  and so are very easy care.

Do take care when purchasing PU sheets  – especially from auction sites. Often described as PVC sheets unscrupulous dealers sell cheap plastic sheeting which is far from exotic!

Make sure the Bed Linen you buy is described as  PU on a Polyester Jersey Base. The Jersey base is stretchy and so adds to the beautiful soft feeling of High Gloss PU bedding. The best quality bed linen is not only made in Flat sheets but in Fitted Sheets, Pillow Cases, Duvet Covers and Comforters and Pillow Shams too.

To find out more about Hi-Gloss PU bed linen Just Click Here