November 2007
Linen lingo
Bedspreads cover the whole bed, including the pillows and the box spring.
Blanket covers go over wool blankets on the bed to keep them clean. They are thin and decorative, often with satin or lace trim. Cotton is the most popular material for sheets. Many prefer the feel of 100 percent cotton, though cotton/poly blends are popular because they’re cheaper and more wrinkle-resistant.
Coverlets generally do not cover the pillows or the box spring. They often come with matching shams.
Drop refers to the length a bedspread or dust ruffle will extend as it “drops” toward the floor.
Dust ruffles, also known as bed skirts, are designed to dress up the box spring and hide any dust bunnies--or boxes, shoes, skis, etc.--that may be lurking under your bed.
Duvet and comforter covers are one and the same. The cover is like a giant pillowcase or sham and covers just the top of the bed.
Flanged refers to a decorative band of fabric, as on a pillowcase, that is flat instead of ruffled.
Linen is a fabric woven from the fibers of the flax plant. It was once more widely used for sheets, napkins, and tablecloths, thus the terms “bed linen” and “table linen.” Today, real linen’s a luxury and the word is used generically. But linen sheets are still an option, if you can afford the price and don’t mind a lot of ironing.
Mattress toppers can include electric pads for warmth and sheepskin or foam for coziness. The recommended minimum is a simple pad or cover to protect the mattress.
Mercerized cotton has a bit of a sheen to it and is a bit stronger.
Sanforized means preshrunk.
Shams are decorative pillowcases that are usually ruffled or flanged and tie or button closed, instead of being open at the end, like a pillowcase.
Thermal layering There’s more than one way to make a bed, but technique does matter. A thermal blanket has little holes to trap air. If you use that over the sheet and use a regular blanket next, you will be warmer than if you do it the other way around. Similarly, electric blankets work best with another layer on top, with the top layer trapping the heat.
Bedspreads cover the whole bed, including the pillows and the box spring.
Blanket covers go over wool blankets on the bed to keep them clean. They are thin and decorative, often with satin or lace trim. Cotton is the most popular material for sheets. Many prefer the feel of 100 percent cotton, though cotton/poly blends are popular because they’re cheaper and more wrinkle-resistant.
Coverlets generally do not cover the pillows or the box spring. They often come with matching shams.
Drop refers to the length a bedspread or dust ruffle will extend as it “drops” toward the floor.
Dust ruffles, also known as bed skirts, are designed to dress up the box spring and hide any dust bunnies--or boxes, shoes, skis, etc.--that may be lurking under your bed.
Duvet and comforter covers are one and the same. The cover is like a giant pillowcase or sham and covers just the top of the bed.
Flanged refers to a decorative band of fabric, as on a pillowcase, that is flat instead of ruffled.
Linen is a fabric woven from the fibers of the flax plant. It was once more widely used for sheets, napkins, and tablecloths, thus the terms “bed linen” and “table linen.” Today, real linen’s a luxury and the word is used generically. But linen sheets are still an option, if you can afford the price and don’t mind a lot of ironing.
Mattress toppers can include electric pads for warmth and sheepskin or foam for coziness. The recommended minimum is a simple pad or cover to protect the mattress.
Mercerized cotton has a bit of a sheen to it and is a bit stronger.
Sanforized means preshrunk.
Shams are decorative pillowcases that are usually ruffled or flanged and tie or button closed, instead of being open at the end, like a pillowcase.
Thermal layering There’s more than one way to make a bed, but technique does matter. A thermal blanket has little holes to trap air. If you use that over the sheet and use a regular blanket next, you will be warmer than if you do it the other way around. Similarly, electric blankets work best with another layer on top, with the top layer trapping the heat.
