Does a higher Thread Count mean the fabric is better and/or softer?
The thread count of the fabric determines its density, and that generally gives you a good gauge of its softness, although there are other factors that impact the softness of the fabric even more than its thread count. One such factor is “content.” The content of percale can vary widely. Even a high thread count 60/40 percale blend won’t be as soft or luxuriant as lower thread count 100% cotton. Also, a dark colored cotton percale will feel stiffer than a lighter colored percale with the same thread count (due to dye saturation). Even within cotton itself, there are many differences in grade. Just as grapes grown in certain regions are favored by wine connoisseurs over grapes grown in others, the quality of cotton can be estimated by its origin. Our own domestic cotton is an excellent breed called “pima” cotton. This is long-staple cotton, and is relatively inexpensive, considering its high quality. The fertile Nile Valley, which also produces the same breed of Pima Cotton as the Unite
