High thread count creates a tighter weave, resulting in a softer, durable and more luxurious sheet. Percale sheets are made from combed, tightly woven fabric and have thread counts of 180 or higher. Muslin sheets have thread counts of 160 or less, and are rough to the touch. The type of weave also affects the quality of a sheet. Fiber content is also important.
Egyptian cotton is a unique, long staple cotton grown exclusively in the Nile River Valley.
Supima sheets have an extremely soft, silky finish. Pima Cotton is a long staple cotton originally grown in Arizona by the Pima Indians, and is now domestically produced in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and California. American cotton is the standard cotton fiber grown in the USA for sheeting fabric, and are commonly used in combed cotton yarns. Blended sheets are very durable and they do not shrink when washed. They also dry very quickly without wrinkling and need no ironing.