Sleep Guide
The Right Shell
Finding the right pillow or duvet can be daunting with all the options available. The shells of products are also important.
All of our product shells are 100% Oeko-Tex® Certified. Northern Feather is Oeko-Tex® Certified. This certified label found on our products ensures that all materials used are safe for everyone and free of harmful chemicals and substances.
Thread Count
Thread count refers to the fineness or the coarseness of a fabric, calculated by the number of threads per square inch.
Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more likely it will wear well—or even soften—over time. Good sheets range anywhere from 200 to 800. There is a common misconception that thread count is an important consideration when purchasing bedding. However, linen experts claim that beyond a thread count of 400, there is no difference in quality.
Thread Count Comparison
Low thread count
Less threads per square inch
High thread count
More threads per square inch
Microfibre or Cotton
Microfibre
Fabric composed of extremely fine fibres of polyester—are affordable and soft, and they resist pilling more than traditional polyester fabric does. However, polyester is less breathable than cotton and is probably not the best choice for those with sensitive skin.
Cotton Jersey
Reasonably priced sheets that are very breathable because they're knit rather than woven. Jersey is essentially T-shirt fabric, so jersey sheets may appeal to you if you like sleeping in a soft old shirt.
Cotton Percale
Microfibre and jersey don't have the cool crispness of woven cotton, so if you like to flip your pillows to the cool side all night long, you're better off looking at an inexpensive cotton percale instead.
Fabric Weave
Sateen
Cotton cloth made with a satin weave, a weave that produces a very soft, lustrous feel but can be somewhat less durable than a tighter weave.
Cotton Twill
Type of textile weave with a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs. It is made by passing the weft thread over one or more warp threads then under two or more warp threads and so on, with a "step," or offset, between rows to create the characteristic diagonal pattern. Thanks to this structure, twill generally drapes well.
Calendared Cotton
Finishing process used to smooth, coat, or thin a material. With textiles, fabric is passed between calendar rollers at high temperatures and pressures for the desired end result.
