The Ultimate Fabric Guide for Bedding: Choosing the Right Fabric, Weave, and Thread Count

When it comes to creating the perfect sleep environment, choosing the right bedding materials is crucial. From duvet covers to sheet sets, the fabric, weave, and thread count all contribute to the quality of your sleep. This guide will help you navigate the options so you can select the best bed linen for your needs—whether you’re a hot sleeper, sensitive-skinned, or someone who craves cozy warmth.

Jump to your preferred section:

• Linen Fabric
• Percale Cotton
• Sateen Cotton
• Microfiber: Pros and Cons
• Thread Count: What You Need to Know

Linen Fabric: The Breathable Classic

Ideal for: Hot Sleepers, People with Oily Skin, and those who love a relaxed, natural look.
Best for: Breathe Collection, Cool Comfort Collection

Linen is one of the most breathable fabrics available, making it a top choice for hot sleepers and those who live in warm climates. Linen is made from the flax plant, which gives it natural moisture-wicking properties and excellent airflow. This means it helps keep you cool throughout the night by absorbing moisture and releasing heat. Linen gets softer with each wash, and its signature textured look adds a relaxed elegance to any bedroom.

• Weave: Plain weave, which gives linen its characteristic texture.
• Thread Count: Linen typically has a lower thread count, often around 80-150, but don’t be fooled—its quality isn’t determined by thread count. The looser weave allows for maximum airflow.

Why Choose Linen?
Linen bedding, like the ones found in our Breathe Collection and Cool Comfort Collection, is perfect for hot sleepers. Its natural fibers regulate temperature, making it a go-to fabric for year-round comfort. If you’re prone to waking up sweaty, linen is your best friend.

Percale Cotton: Crisp and Cool

Ideal for: Hot Sleepers, People with Oily Skin, and those who love the feel of hotel sheets.
Best for: Breathe Collection, Cool Comfort Collection

Percale cotton is known for its crisp, cool texture and lightweight feel. It’s made with a plain weave, one yarn over, one yarn under, which creates a matte finish and a crisp texture. Percale sheets feel breathable and refreshing, especially for hot sleepers or those who like their bedding to feel light and cool.

• Weave: Plain weave (one-over-one), creating a crisp and durable fabric.
• Thread Count: Percale is often available in the 200-400 thread count range. A 300TC percale sheet offers the perfect balance of crispness and softness.

Why Choose Percale?
If you love the crisp, fresh feel of hotel sheets, percale cotton is your go-to fabric. Our Breathe Collection features percale sheets designed specifically for hot sleepers, providing a lightweight and airy feel that keeps you cool through the night.

Sateen Cotton: Silky Smooth and Luxurious

Ideal for: Cold Sleepers, People with Dry Skin, and those who prefer a soft, luxurious feel.
Best for: Stay Collection, Luxe Hydration Collection

Sateen cotton has a smoother, shinier finish compared to percale. This is achieved through a weave that places more threads on the surface of the fabric, usually in a 3-over-1 or 4-over-1 pattern, which makes it feel buttery soft and luxurious. Sateen is a heavier, warmer fabric, making it a great choice for those who sleep cold or live in cooler climates.

• Weave: Sateen weave (3-over-1 or 4-over-1), creating a silky, smooth surface.
• Thread Count: Sateen sheets are typically found in the 300-600 thread count range. Higher thread counts (like 400TC+) make sateen even smoother and more luxurious.

Why Choose Sateen?
If you love to feel cozy and pampered, sateen cotton is ideal. Our Stay Collection and Luxe Hydration Collectionuse sateen to provide that extra layer of warmth and softness, making it perfect for cold sleepers or anyone looking for a luxurious touch.

Microfiber: The Budget-Friendly Option

Ideal for: Budget shoppers.
Why We Don’t Recommend It:

Microfiber is made from synthetic materials, usually polyester, and is popular due to its low cost. It is soft to the touch and lightweight, making it appealing for people on a budget. However, microfiber has several downsides:

• Breathability Issues: Microfiber traps heat and doesn’t wick moisture effectively, making it a poor choice for hot sleepers. You might find yourself waking up sweaty and uncomfortable.

• Environmental Impact: Microfiber is made from plastic-based materials, which aren’t biodegradable and contribute to microplastic pollution.

Why Avoid Microfiber?
While microfiber can feel soft initially, its lack of breathability makes it unsuitable for anyone prone to night sweats or hot sleeping. At Cahoosh, we focus on natural, breathable fabrics like linen and cotton, which offer superior comfort and sustainability.

Thread Count: What You Need to Know

Thread count refers to the number of horizontal (weft) and vertical (warp) threads per square inch of fabric. While higher thread counts can indicate softer, more durable fabric, they aren’t always the best indicator of quality. The type of fabric and weave matters just as much—sometimes more—than the thread count alone.

• Linen: Typically around 80-150 TC, and lower thread counts are not an issue because of its naturally breathable structure.
• Percale Cotton: Best between 200-400 TC. A 300TC percale sheet is crisp, breathable, and durable.
• Sateen Cotton: Best between 300-600 TC. Higher thread counts make sateen even smoother and silkier but can make the fabric heavier and warmer.

At Cahoosh, we’ve designed our bedding collections to offer the ideal thread count and fabric combination for every type of sleeper. Our Breathe Collection features 300TC percale cotton, perfect for hot sleepers. Meanwhile, our Stay Collection is crafted with a higher thread count sateen, delivering luxurious warmth and softness.

Choosing the Right Bedding for Your Sleep Needs

Now that you understand the different fabric types, weaves, and thread counts, it's time to pick the perfect bedding. Whether you're a hot sleeper looking for breathable linen or a cold sleeper who craves the cozy warmth of sateen, Cahoosh has a collection tailored just for you.

• For Hot Sleepers: Opt for the Breathe Collection with breathable linen or crisp percale cotton.
• For Cold Sleepers: Choose the Stay Collection with warm, silky sateen for extra coziness.
• For Balanced Comfort: Our Everybody Collection offers the perfect balance for year-round use, using high-quality cotton that’s soft yet breathable.

Investing in the right bedding can transform your sleep quality. With Cahoosh, you’ll find thoughtfully crafted duvet covers, sheet sets, and bed linen designed to enhance your sleep experience.