Today, an incredibly wide variety of fabrics for home textiles are offered for sale. But despite the wide range of modern solutions, many traditional materials are still popular and in demand. They are not inferior in their properties to the latest products, offering the consumer maximum comfort and duration of use. Among these fabrics is the famous percale, which has practically no analogues of its kind and remains a very sophisticated option for bed fabric.
This Indian material was invented many centuries ago by legendary craftsmen who were well versed in the craft of the characteristic weave of threads. Massive use in European countries began at the end of the 17th century, where it was used to make sails, pre-treated with special oil. And to this day, percale has been actively used for technical purposes, in the aviation industry and industry. Airplanes with percale hulls were in use until the mid-20th century (the material was impregnated with a special varnish).
History of fabric
The specific technology of percale weaving was first mastered in medieval India. Mass production of the material began at the end of the 17th century in French industrial manufactories. The fabric then had a technical purpose: additionally processed with oil or organic resin, it was used for the production of ship sails. At the dawn of aviation, the material impregnated with varnish began to be used to create parachutes and cover aircraft bodies. In the 70s of the 20th century, light camping tents were made from percale.
Photo source: Depositphotos.com
The introduction of thin threads into production brought the fabric into the sphere of household use: soft and durable percale home textiles quickly gained popularity.
Application
- The main area of application of percale is sewing luxury bedding sets. First-class percale linen ensures a comfortable, healthy sleep.
- Percale home textiles give comfort: bedspreads, tablecloths, decorative napkins.
- The material is used to sew pillow covers, mattress covers, and the top layer of blankets.
- Thin fabric is suitable for sewing wardrobe items: women's blouses, dresses, men's shirts.
- Technical percale is used in industry for sewing parachutes and awnings.
Customer Reviews
To understand what kind of fabric percale is for bed linen, it is important not only to study the characteristics, but also to read consumer reviews. Reviews regarding bed linen made of calico and percale are divided. Some consumers put comfort first - they choose percale, others put safety first - they prefer hypoallergenic bedding made from calico.
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Description of the fabric: composition, properties, characteristics
Classic percale is a material made from long-staple combed cotton. The fabric is smooth, soft and delicate to the touch, surprisingly pleasant to the body. It retains heat, allows air to pass through, allowing the body to breathe, absorbs moisture, and does not accumulate static electricity.
The threads of the fabric fit tightly to each other, the percale does not show through. The linear density of the fabric ranges from 90 to 160 threads per 1 cm². Surface density is 72-150 g/m2 depending on the type of material.
Noticeable differences in tissue
In order to understand the difference between percale and calico, it is recommended to first analyze all the advantages and disadvantages, and then make a rating of the fabrics, taking into account a number of technical characteristics and cost.
| What are we comparing? | Percale (100% cotton) | Calico (100% cotton) |
| Density | from 130 to 150 g/m | from 100 to 150 g/m |
| Hypoallergenic | — | + |
| Feelings to the touch | The material is soft, thin, smooth | The material is hard, dense |
| Visual features | Velvety material, matte surface | Smooth material, matte surface |
| average cost | 2300 rub. | 1500 rub. |
As can be seen from the table, the cost of percale is much higher than that of calico bed linen. It is important to take into account the fact that some manufacturers often add synthetic fibers to the material, as a result of which it is recommended to make sure that the selected set is 100% cotton before making a purchase.
Another way calico differs from percale is the quality of the yarn used in the production process and the technology used. The quality of the final result largely depends on the type of processing and weaving of the fibers.
Thus, percale is a luxurious fabric, but since, unlike calico, it does not have allergenic properties, it is worth weighing the pros and cons first.
Types of fabric
Fabric is classified by composition:
- cotton percale;
- percale with added flax;
- material with polyester additives;
- percale with added silk.
Depending on the purpose, the material is divided into:
- household - intended for home use;
- technical - has a special purpose, used in industry.
Structure and density
For PBC, percale is made only from cotton. For the production of threads, high-quality long-fiber combed raw materials are taken.
The threads are not twisted among themselves, they are sized - treated with a special, safe composition based on potato starch with the addition of animal fat. The result of the thread:
- Sturdy;
- Durable;
- Elastic;
- Soft;
- Smooth;
- Pleasant to the touch.
The weave is simple, calico or cross-shaped.
If a simple cut is typical and ideal for poplin or calico, then non-standard, complex-cut bed linen can be made from percale.
Advantages and disadvantages
Percale has a myriad of advantages, among which it is worth noting:
- strength;
- softness;
- long service life: sets of linen can be used for up to 10-15 years;
- wear resistance: the fabric does not deform, does not fade in the sun, does not fade, and is not subject to pilling;
- pleasant tactile sensations and aesthetic appearance;
- saturation, color fastness;
- hygiene, comfort in use: the material is characterized by hygroscopicity, heat-saving properties, and breathability;
- impermeability: does not allow down and feathers to escape, maintains the integrity of the stuffing.
The disadvantages of the fabric include:
- shrinkage is possible within 3%;
- The components of the dressing can cause allergic reactions on sensitive skin.
Physical properties
They depend on the density of threads per unit area, the composition of the impregnation or its distance during the manufacturing process, the quantity, type of additives. Jacquard percale resembles stripe satin in appearance and quality, with the only difference being that it is dominated by floral rather than geometric motifs. But the difference may lie in the composition and method of creating the ornament (in satin, fibers are used for this, dyed exclusively with natural dyes, from which the design is created). Satin is considered both a beautiful and rich material, but it wears out faster and fades, while percale is the undisputed leader in the number of washes endured without damage to appearance, resistance to mechanical wear and service life. In technical types, these valuable properties increase tenfold, thanks to special compounds used to impregnate securely intertwined threads.
Percale and its analogues
The percale material is similar in composition and consumer properties to poplin, satin and calico.
- Percale linen is a leader among its peers in terms of wear resistance and strength.
- Compared to satin, percale is harder, less smooth, and does not shine at all. Satin wins in visual appeal, but percale is more breathable, shape- and color-resistant, and wicks away moisture better.
- Compared to poplin, percale is denser and rougher to the touch. A clear advantage of percale is its low wrinkleability, while poplin requires ironing after each wash. In other characteristics, the fabrics are as similar as possible.
- Compared to coarse, rough-feeling calico, percale is famous for its smoothness, delicacy and softness, and has less weight and greater density. In other properties, high-quality calico is quite comparable to percale and successfully competes with it.
Care instructions
Percale is an easy-care fabric, but to maintain its attractiveness and unique properties it requires care and compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
General rules:
- The first wash is done in water at 30-45 degrees to maintain brightness and color saturation.
- For subsequent washes, temperatures up to 80 degrees are permissible. Linen should not be pre-soaked or boiled.
- Machine washable with spin speed up to 800 rpm. White linen is washed separately from colored linen. It is recommended to turn items inside out before washing.
- Do not use chlorine bleach; mild detergents are recommended. To soften hard water you need a conditioner.
- Dry percale products naturally, by hanging them and spreading them well on ropes or a special dryer.
- The optimal iron temperature for ironing is no higher than 150 degrees.
Percale care
As we noted above, housewives complain that PBCs become covered with pellets over time. How can this be, because if the threads are so strong, smooth and even treated with a special solution, where do the pellets come from?
Let's figure it out. All complaints about bed linen, namely sheets and pillowcases. It is they that have the greatest contact or friction with the body; cotton fibers can gradually delaminate.
But the main reason for the appearance of pilling - and this is nothing more than clumps of cotton microfibers that have escaped from weakened threads - is improper washing. Below we will provide recommendations for caring for percale bedding if you have cut or lost the manufacturer's care instructions.
What you need to pay special attention to:
- Washing temperature;
- Facilities;
- Drying.
Experts recommend:
- Do not soak the PCB, wash in a single cycle.
- If there are stains, they need to be removed before washing; stubborn stains are almost impossible to remove later.
- Turn pillowcases and duvet covers inside out.
- Fasten all buttons and zippers to avoid snags and tears.
- Do not exceed the washing temperature of 40°C. It is a well-known fact: high temperatures and boiling negatively affect the structure of fibers and dyes, destroying them. And this will inevitably lead not only to pellets, but also to holes.
- Avoid powders. Not only do they not completely dissolve in water (especially hard water), but also the abrasive particles cause additional friction, which is also the cause of pellets.
Finally, it is better not to subject percale to hot machine drying. Dry laundry outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, avoiding direct sunlight.
Percale practically does not wrinkle, but if you need to iron it, do it in cotton mode at medium temperatures.
Recommendations for use
There are many low-quality fakes of percale on the textile market. To avoid disappointment, you need to carefully examine the fabric before purchasing.
- The percale weave is dense, in no way cross-shaped or circular, the fibers seem to be glued to each other.
- The fabric is dense, does not shine through, and is evenly dyed on the front and back sides.
- If possible, you can conduct a combustion test: it will help identify fake synthetics. A material with a predominance of cotton burns with a bright flame, spreading the smell of burnt paper around, and after extinction it smolders, forming ash. When polyester dominates, the fabric melts, spreading black smoke and a pungent odor, and bakes into a dense lump.
Compound
Since the fabric has a very wide range of uses, it can be very different in composition.
The main raw material for the manufacture of percale has been and will continue to be cotton. They can join:
- Flax, which also lends itself well to sizing;
- Silk;
- Wool;
- Polyester.
Speaking of polyester. It is very similar to percale in fineness, density and shine. Therefore, many sellers often pass off one as the other. How to distinguish and not buy synthetics instead of natural raw materials? Here are the factors you need to pay attention to:
- Price;
- Weight;
- Texture.
PBC made from natural cotton percale cannot be cheap. Definitely more expensive than calico and poplin, closer to satin. It’s not for nothing that in Europe the fabric is in the premium segment!
Next: weigh the kit. It cannot weigh less than a kilogram. Synthetics are much lighter than porous, bulky cotton.
Carefully inspect the PBC. Synthetics have a characteristic celluloid sheen. No matter how the cotton fibers are processed and twisted, they will not shine so much; they have a soft, pleasant shimmer. In addition, only a perfectly thin synthetic thread will give a perfectly smooth surface. Even the highest quality cotton threads are less uniform.
Touch the set, tactile sensations will not deceive you.
And finally, the latest and most reliable method, which is best used as a last resort. Pull out a couple of fibers from the inside of the seams and set them on fire. Synthetics burn with black smoke with a characteristic odor, cotton and linen are completely different.
Manufacturers and brands
The material is produced by factories in Italy, Spain, France, England, Portugal, and Poland.
In Europe, percale is extremely valued and is called the royal fabric.
Among Asian countries, China, India, and Pakistan are famous for the production of percale.
Russian manufacturers are not lagging behind foreign ones. On an industrial scale, percale is produced at enterprises in the city of Ivanovo and the Ivanovo region, as well as at the famous Moscow Trekhgornaya manufactory.
Percale made in Russia
Domestic factories produce the following types of bed linen:
- one-and-a-half-size: two pillowcases (70x70), duvet cover (217x145), sheet (150x220);
- double: two pillowcases (70x70); duvet cover (217x175), sheet (200x220);
- euro: two pillowcases (70x70), duvet cover (217x200), sheet (220x240);
- family: two pillowcases (70x70), duvet cover (217x145), sheet (220x240).
All sizes are presented in centimeters.
The most famous is the Ivanovo production. The Chernigov factory is also famous. Sales leader - Ivanovo. Factory-produced percale is of a high quality level and is made in the best traditions of Russian weaving.
Reviews of percale fabric
Percale receives a large number of positive reviews every day. Users cite the strength, durability, softness and beauty of fabric products as undoubted advantages. Buyers note the high cost of percale linen sets, but admit that the quality of the material speaks for itself; percale is definitely worth the money spent.
Owners are advised to pay attention to the capricious behavior of the fabric in care, to be especially careful when washing for the first time: incorrect actions lead to damage to things.
Percale is the queen of linen fabrics, it is a symbol of prestige, good wealth, gives pleasure, and attracts with the beauty of its appearance. A wide range of colors allows you to satisfy even the strictest personal preferences and enrich any interior.
Percale from Europe
Foreign-made percale is supplied to our country mainly from Italy and Portugal. This class of products belongs to the elite. The cost of one set exceeds 30 thousand rubles. Manufacturers prefer to combine the naturalness of the fabric with the fashionable design that is inherent in textile sleep accessories. In EU countries, percale is most often used for tailoring. The fabric, reviews of which are very positive, is often purchased in Russia as raw material.
Video: review of percale linen
The video shows five sets of bed linen, similar in design, but different in color. It explains how to care for percale linen, talks about densities, colors, and companion fabrics.
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Manufacturing Features
Some time ago, the material was classified as elite; finding it in an ordinary home textile store was problematic. But today on store shelves you can see percale presented in a variety of colors. Reviews of percale bed linen mostly focus on density and strength. These characteristics are achieved due to the peculiarities of the production process.
Production technology involves the use of untwisted cotton fibers. This allows you to transfer almost any pattern to the surface of the fabric, which is why the material is available in such a rich assortment of colors. In order to give the fabric special strength and density, and provide it with the necessary performance characteristics, the threads are subjected to additional sizing. By the way, due to this, the canvas acquires tactile softness and smoothness, and becomes pleasant to the touch.
Sizing is the process of applying a special adhesive composition to the surface of a fabric. This technology makes it possible to provide the material with a density of 90/160 for every 10 cm of the canvas. If you are looking for home textiles for permanent use, your choice is percale fabric for bed linen. Reviews from modern housewives emphasize how long this material lasts and how easy it is to wash and iron.
