Bedding Weaves? Which Fabric Weave?

Understanding different fabric weaves can be very difficult and below is a description of each weave.

What is a fabric weave?
It is the process of how the fabric is made, the process that sees two separate strands of yarn, woven together to make fabric that is then made into bed sheets / duvet covers / pillowcase, etc. The warp and the weft, the weft is the horizontal yarn and the warp is the vertical yarn, that are interlaced together in different ways and different patterns to create different weaves.

Percale Weave
A percale weave is a traditional, high-quality one over / one under, criss-cross, resulting in a crisp, matte finished (not shiny) and highly breathable fabric. Known for it's durability and cooling, lightweight feel, typically featuring at least 180 thread count.

Sateen / Satin Weave
In the UK we often say Sateen and in Europe Satin, but it is the same style of weaving. Sateen is made using a satin weave, it is generally cotton yarns but has the characteristics of silk. For a satin weave, yarns are floated over the weft, this technique of 4 over one under is not quite as durable but creates that lovely silky smooth texture, lustrous finish.

Twill Weave
Twill is an elaborate weave with distinct diagonal line raised fabric, twill cloths are more substantial and have a smoother, yet durable finish. It is woven with one thread over the other and a step between rows to create this characteristic diagonal pattern.

Chambray Weave
Chambray is a lightweight plain-weave fabric constructed with a coloured yarn in the warp and a plain yarn in the weft, creating a soft heathered appearance.

Jersey Weave
Jersey is actually a knitted fabric and not weaved as such. It is made using a single yarn to create interlocking loops, often on a circular knitting machine, allowing for natural stretch and breathability. This looped technique gives jersey bedding it's soft, stretchy, pliable nature.

Jacquard Weave
A jacquard weave has intricate patterns woven into the weave rather than printed or embroidered on top. A special jacquard loom machine is used to weave these complex patterns directly into the cloth. Jacquards tend to have a raised surface or can be very subtle ultra luxurious feel and silk like quality.

Seersucker Weave
Seersucker is a lightweight, puckered fabric characterised by its unique crinkled texture, This texture is achieved through a slack-tension weaving technique, which creates alternating smooth and puckered stripes.

Waffle Weave
Waffle weave is a textile construction technique that creates a three-dimensional, grid-like pattern. It features raised warp and weft threads (floats) forming small square cells.

Flannel / Brushed Weave
Is a plain or can be a twill weave that is brushed to create a soft nap, designed for maximum warmth. It's defining characteristics is this napping process where the fabric is brushed to raise small fibres, creating a s oft fluffy texture.

Herringbone Weave
A herringbone weave is a V weave that resembles a fish's skeleton. It produces a silky smooth feel and striped look, with a very smart finish, generally reserved for a fine tailoring and not often produced into bed linen.

Poplin Weave
Poplin weave is a durable, lightweight, and breathable material using a plain weave technique with fine horizontal ribs.

Dobby Weave
A dobby weave is a type of fabric woven on a loom with a dobby attachment, to create small, geometric, and often raised patterns like stripes, dots and checkers directly into the fabric. A dobby adds texture and durability without making the fabric heavy.

Pique Weave
Pique weave is a construction method, that creates tiny raised, textured pattern such as honeycombs, waffles, or corded parallel ribs. Choose cotton pique for a refined, subtle, textured finish.