Why do sateen sheets look like satin?
After the strands of cotton are dipped in lye, they are arranged in long strands similar to the way that satin sheets are made. Unlike typical weaving methods, sateen sheets are woven using the same method as satin. Satin weaves, including those used on sateen sheets, are shiny because the threads aren’t woven into one another as frequently. Instead of a uniform criss-cross pattern, sateen has long sections of thread which lie on top of the threads woven perpendicular to them. Also, like satin, the fabric is stitched only on the back side, leaving the front smooth and soft.
