The Origanami Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set

Thread count is the number of vertical warp threads and the number of horizontal weft threads, sometimes referred to as picks, combined in a square inch of woven fabric. If there are 175 warp yarns per square inch and 125 weft yarns per square inch, the fabric is considered 300 thread count.

Thread count has become a simple metric used by marketing to capture interest and impress with high thread count sheeting fabrics while keeping manufacturing price down and the selling price up.

To achieve higher thread counts, many manufacturers use either plied warp yarns (two yarns twisted together), multiple weft yarn insertions (two or more yarns weaving at one time) or a combination of both during the weaving process.

When using plied yarns or multiple pick insertions, the individual yarn size is typically the same size as the single insertion yarn. But, because they are plied together or inserted together, the final result is the same as if a thicker yarn was used. Since the fabric actually needs less inter-lacings, or picks, this is where cost is saved, and in the end, the consumer is not receiving a true marketed thread count.

The truth is, single ply, single insertion sheeting fabrics cannot exceed 500 Thread Count, and even that is really pushing the weaving limitations. 400 Thread Count is generally the maximum mills will offer, unless extremely fine yarns are used and then 500 TC may be approached, but never exceeded. So beware of manufacturer claims.

Additionally, important elements of quality must be sacrificed when using multiple warp and weft yarns, meaning in the end, the customer gets a product with an impressive thread count but that probably feels no better (or even worse) than something with a lower thread count.

Origanami does not use plied yarns or multiple weft insertions; you get what you pay for. In our honest opinion, the best bed linens are made of single ply warp yarns, having weft yarns inserted individually, one at a time.

Because of this, our unique fabric constructions, provide a wonderful balance between softness, weight, durability and quality.