Comforters Glossary - Bedding terms and fabrics

Glossary for bedding terms and fabrics

Acrylic – Man-made fiber that feels like soft wool. Acrylic products are machine washable and hypoallergenic. durable and moth-resistant.

Baffles – A construction feature better down comforters, baffles are small fabric walls sewn in between the top and bottom of the comforter shell. Down enclosed in the baffles is prevented from shifting and allowed to fully loft (fluff up).

Bed skirt – A bed skirt is a flat piece of fabric to which a skirt is attached on three sides. Typically it covers the top

of the box spring and drops to the floor; usually used with a comforter or coverlet; also called a dust ruffle.

Bedspread – A decorative bed covering that covers the entire bed and reaches to the floor on each side and the foot.

Comforter – A fiber filled or quilted bed covering which spreads over top of mattress but does not cover pillows or hang all the way to the floor; often paired with a bed skirt and pillow shams. A comforter is smaller than a bedspread and larger than a coverlet.

Comforter Set – A pre-assembled bedding ensemble usually consisting of a decorative comforter, matching pillow shams and bed skirt.

Cotton – All natural, pure cotton is the softest and most breathable fabric. The length of its fiber, the "staple, measures the quality of cotton. Types of cotton include:

Combed cotton –Cotton fibers which have undergone an additional manufacturing process called "combing." It reduces the quantity of uneven, short fibers, leaving stronger, longer fibers for weaving

Cotton sateen – A soft and luxurious fabric weave in which most of the threads are placed on the surface of the sheeting, creating a satin-like sheen.

Egyptian Cotton – Considered the finest grade of cotton, with the longest fibers, resulting in an exceptionally soft and luxurious fabric and hand.

Percale – From the Persian "pargalah," percale is a smooth woven fabric of combed or carded cotton yarn.

Supima – Soft, superior-grade durable cotton produced in the desert region of the United States; comparable in quality to Egyptian cotton.

Daybed Set – Pre-assembled bedding for use on a daybed; usually includes a comforter or fitted cover, a split corner bed skirt and either two king pillow shams or three standard shams.

Down – The soft hairy clusters found under the feathers of a goose or duck that trap warm air next to its skin. With its naturally insulating properties, high quality down will provide lightweight warmth year round.

Down comforter - A fabric shell filled with goose or duck down.

Down alternative – Synthetic or natural filling material used in comforters and duvets, with insulating and warming properties similar to down. Primaloft® is a top quality, hypoallergenic synthetic fill; wool and silk are popular natural fills.

Duvet Cover/ Comforter Cover- A large protective and usually decorative casing for a fiber-filled comforter, A duvet/comforter cover is open at one end and is easily removable. Ties, buttons, zippers and snaps are typical closures.

Duvet Set – A pre-assembled set of bedding that includes a duvet comforter cover, one or two pillow shams, and sometimes a bed skirt

Feathers – In bedding, plumage from a goose or duck. Though also lightweight, feathers are heavier than down, with quills that give them a resilient spring.

Feather bed - A mostly-feather-filled mattress, heavier than a down comforter, and meant to used on the top of the mattress for sleeping upon; always use with a protective feather bed cover.

Feather Bed Cover -Similar to a protective comforter cover or duvet cover; used to protect feather bed from dirt and oils.

Fill - Material used to stuff comforters, feather beds and other similar cased bedding items. Goose down, silk and Primaloft® are types of fill.

Fill Power – In down bedding, the measurement in cubic inches than a single ounce of down will fill. Quality down comforters have a fill power between 550 and 650 cubic inches; the higher the fill power number, the warmer the comforter.

Flannel - While it can be made from wool or a blend, cotton is the most common type of flannel. Brushing of the fabric results in a very soft, fuzzy feel. Flannel is popular for its warmth and comfort.

Hand – Term for how a fabric feels to the touch; for example, cashmere has a smooth hand.

Hypoallergenic – Indicates a product that is largely allergen-free or with little chance of causing allergenic reaction.

Jacquard – In fabrics, an intricate, complex type of weaving and the cloth it produces. A loom outfitted with a "jacquard attachment" produces jacquards.

Matelasse - Soft, double cloth or compound fabric with a quilted surface. Often, heavier constructions are made on a Jacquard loom and used for coverlets.

Polyester – Man-made fiber often blended with cotton or other fibers

Synthetic – Any man-made material used in manufacturing; examples: microsuede, polyester, acetate, etc.

Thread-count – A measurement of fabric density reflecting the number of threads per square inch. A high thread count results in finer, smoother weave, and can extend the life and increase the value of your bedding.

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