Thin, high-strength fabric, softness similar to the well-known elite cambric, used mainly for sewing high-quality bed linen and home textiles, as well as a variety of clothing. This is the name of both the fabric and the weaving method.
Bed linen from this fabric is very popular in Europe, but in Ukraine this fabric is beginning to gain its rightful place.
An example of using percale fabric for sewing home textiles.
According to the composition of the raw materials used, percale can be produced:
- 100% cotton is the most common option;
- from cotton with the addition of linen raw materials;
- made of 100% linen - externally, the fabric is practically indistinguishable from that made of cotton;
- made of cotton with polyester addition;
- made of cotton with polyester addition;
The addition of polyester removes the excessive wrinkling of the percale, but slightly impairs the thermal conductivity, which can lead to the feeling of excessive body moisture.
Percale is produced by the method of plain weaving of thin and medium untwisted threads, the threads are preliminarily processed by the method of sizing, that is, by applying an adhesive natural solution that improves the quality of the fabric obtained. The adhesive composition contains mainly potato starch and, depending on the composition of the raw material from which the percale is made, it may contain some types of natural oils, as well as glycerin.
Sizing gives the fabric the following characteristics:
- increased wear resistance;
- smoothness, removes the slightest hairiness, this quality is maintained throughout the entire operation of the products;
Subsequently, the excess adhesive mixture is removed from the fabric, after it has acquired the necessary qualities.
Percale characteristics:
- extreme softness and silkiness;
- thin but strong and dense;
- even with long-term use, smoothness remains, no pellets appear;
- very pleasant to the touch, many having tried percale products in operation, remain faithful to it forever;
- even with prolonged use, the colors do not lose their original brightness, the fabric looks like new even after having withstood more than 1000 wash cycles;
- hygienic properties of percale at a height: excellent moisture absorption and air permeability guarantee a comfortable feeling when using products from this type of fabric;
- all things that are made of percale have an excellent appearance, the fabric forms delicate folds and drapes beautifully, therefore, percale bedding is an excellent gift for dear people;
- easy and not picky to care for, just follow the manufacturer's instructions;
- safe and environmentally friendly;
- does not shrink, keeps its shape and size;
As you can see, after a detailed analysis, percale fabric has a lot of positive qualities that make it one of the best cotton fabrics and put it on the same level with satin and silk - a worthy neighborhood. Percale deserves to meet lovers of quality bedding.
Features of caring for percale:
- for the first time after purchase, it must be washed in water no higher than 40 degrees;
- use the delicate spin mode;
- dry possibly without turning inside out in the open sun;
- in the future, it is possible to wash up to 80 degrees, if the percale is made of natural cotton or flax, with a mixed composition, the washing temperature should not exceed 40 degrees;
- if the water has an increased salt content, then it is necessary to add additives to level the effect of hard water on percale products;
- use mild liquid detergents;
