About Luxury Linens
Everything you need to know
A lovely addition to any home, a well-dressed table sets the scene for many family gatherings and special occasions. The right tablecloth is the icing on the cake. Caring for your table linens by following these suggestions will ensure that your tables are properly dressed for years to come.
How long should my bed sheets last?
With proper care, fine bed linens can last for many years. In order to assure the long life of your bed linens, it is best to alternate the use of each set on a weekly basis. Three sets of sheets for each bed is a good guideline to follow: one on the bed, one in the wash, one in the closet. In between each use, launder and store your linens in a well-ventilated space. For best results when laundering, use a non-chlorine bleach and gentle liquid detergent. Wash on a gentle cycle with warm water. Line dry or tumble dry until slightly damp. Over-drying or drying on too hot a setting is the single biggest factor in reducing the life of your sheets.
Are Sferra sheets sized the same as American sheets?
We over-cut our sheets and top-of-bed ensembles for generous sizing. This feels more luxurious, allows for shrinkage, and accommodates today's deeper pillow-top mattresses, so you won't ever feel short-sheeted. The dimensions listed for duvet covers and shams do not include the flanged borders that surround the duvet or pillow; they reflect the pocket size only.
What is the average depth of a mattress so I can find the right size fitted sheet?
Mattresses vary in thickness. Some people put featherbeds on top of mattresses, and many new mattresses have pillow tops for additional depth. Standard and older mattresses average 9 to 12 inches, while newer pillow-top mattresses are 14 to 16 inches deep and up. All of our fitted sheets are cut generously, to 17 inches deep.
How can I be sure my sheets won't shrink, and will continue to fit my bed after laundering?
All cotton will shrink to some extent, but we anticipate this by cutting our items larger to allow for shrinkage. We also design almost all our fitted sheets with extra-deep 17-inch pockets, which allows for the deep, pillowtop mattresses that are popular in the United States, and also ensures that the elastic will not be over-stretched, leading to stress on the seams and fabric. Many of our bed linens are woven on extra-wide 120-inch looms, which allows us to create wider sheets and deeper fitted sheets.
Do I need to iron my cotton sheets?
Many people do not iron their sheets, preferring the comfort of cotton and not minding its slightly wrinkled natural state. To help your sheets to look as crisp as possible, be sure not to over-dry them.Wash them in warm water with a cool rinse, dry them on a low setting, and remove them from the dryer promptly while they are still slightly damp, then hang or fold to smooth. Minimal touching up with an iron-on the cuff or return, for example, will give a crisper appearance, especially to embroidered sheets (be sure to iron embroidery on the reverse side). Of course, for the most elegant appearance, some people do prefer to have their sheets ironed.
Why do some sheets lose their sheen after laundering?
Sateen sheets, after their first washing, will lose some of their shine and silkiness due to the construction of sateen weaves. Ironing will smooth the fibers and restore the luster and the sheen of the fabric.
How does one dress a formal bed?
First, the bed skirt is placed between the mattress and box spring. It can coordinate with the blanket cover, the duvet cover or the sheeting, or be a simple classic, like a matelassé. The fitted sheet comes next, then a flat sheet. Because Sferra sheets are designed with the luxury of a European return, meaning any embroidery or hemstitching continues for at least 22 inches up each side of the flat sheet, they are designed to be left untucked at the top, then folded down over the blanket and blanket cover. The blanket is added next, and can be tucked in. Then, for a formal bed or in summer or a warm climate, a matelassé or jacquard coverlet is placed atop the blanket, and the flat top sheet is folded gracefully over the top of the blanket - the European return. The coverlet or blanket cover may be either tucked in or left untucked, according to its weight and your preference. In colder climates, a down duvet is added and folded in half at the end of the bed. Or, for a less formal look in cold weather, use just a duvet and not a coverlet.
How can I be sure my sheets wont shrink, and will continue to fit my bed after laundering?
All cotton will shrink to some extent, but we anticipate this by cutting our items larger to allow for shrinkage. We also design almost all our fitted sheets with extra-deep 17-inch pockets, which allows for the deep, pillowtop mattresses that are popular in the United States, and also ensures that the elastic will not be over-stretched, leading to stress on the seams and fabric. Many of bed linens are woven on extra-wide 120-inch looms, which allows us to create wider sheets and deeper fitted sheets.
Do I need to iron my cotton sheets?
Many people do not iron their sheets, preferring the comfort of cotton and not minding its slightly wrinkled natural state. To help your sheets to look as crisp as possible, be sure not to over-dry them.Wash them in warm water with a cool rinse, dry them on a low setting, and remove them from the dryer promptly while they are still slightly damp, then hang or fold to smooth. Minimal touching up with an iron-on the cuff or return, for example, will give a crisper appearance, especially to embroidered sheets (be sure to iron embroidery on the reverse side). Of course, for the most elegant appearance, some people do prefer to have their sheets ironed.
Why do some sheets lose their sheen after laundering?
Sateen sheets, after their first washing, will lose some of their shine and silkiness due to the construction of sateen weaves. Ironing will smooth the fibers and restore the luster and the sheen of the fabric.
How does one dress a formal bed?
First, the bed skirt is placed between the mattress and box spring. It can coordinate with the blanket cover, the duvet cover or the sheeting, or be a simple classic, like a matelassé. The fitted sheet comes next, then a flat sheet. Because Sferra sheets are designed with the luxury of a European return, meaning any embroidery or hemstitching continues for at least 22 inches up each side of the flat sheet, they are designed to be left untucked at the top, then folded down over the blanket and blanket cover. The blanket is added next, and can be tucked in. Then, for a formal bed or in summer or a warm climate, a matelassé or jacquard coverlet is placed atop the blanket, and the flat top sheet is folded gracefully over the top of the blanket - the European return. The coverlet or blanket cover may be either tucked in or left untucked, according to its weight and your preference. In colder climates, a down duvet is added and folded in half at the end of the bed. Or, for a less formal look in cold weather, use just a duvet and not a coverlet.