The content of percale can vary widely. Though many people assume that "percale"
means a polyester-cotton blend, this is untrue. A percale can be made of 100% cotton, 100% polyester,
or any combination in between. Even a high thread count 60/40 percale blend won't be as soft or
luxuriant as a lower thread count 100% cotton. Also, a dark colored cotton percale will feel stiffer
than a lighter colored percale with the same thread count.
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 a 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 United States, calls
their more luxuriant textile "Egyptian Cotton". With its longer, silkier, and thicker fibers, this
cotton is woven into the absolute best percales. Unfortunately, since it must be imported from Egypt,
it carries with it a heavy price tag. |
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