What is Thread Count?

What is Thread Count Anyway?

Basically thread count is how many threads there are per square inch.

So if your sheets say 200 thread count, it means there are 200 interlocking threads every square inch. Sheets always use more thread count than shirts or clothing. A typical shirt is 60 x 60 thread count, or 120 thread count. The 60 x 60 means there are 60 threads going horziontally and 60 threads going vertically to form a sturdy construction. A typical flat sheet will have 120 x 80 thread count to make up the 200 thread count.

Generally speaking the more threads the better quality or softer the sheets. But a lot of overseas vendors are now splitting one thread and making it two, so your 400 thread count sheets may actually only be a 200 thread count. And if they use cheap cotton, the more thread count isn't always your saving grace. But for the most part, going by thread count is a fine way to pick the quality of your hawaiian sheets.

Below is the techinal definition of thread count:

Thread count is a measure of the coarseness or fineness of Hawaiian print fabric. It is measured by counting the number of threads contained in one square inch of fabric, including both the length (warp) and width (weft) threads. It is used especially in regard to cotton linens such as surfer bed sheets.

Thread count is a simple measure of fabric quality, so that "standard" cotton thread counts are around 150 while good-quality sheets start at 180 and a count of 200 or higher is considered percale. Extremely high thread counts (typically over 500) tend to be misleading as they usually use 'plied' yarns. i.e. one yarn that is made by twisting together multiple finer threads. For marketing purposes, a fabric with 250 yarns in both the vertical and horizontal direction could have the component threads counted to a 1000 thread count although "according to the National Textile Association, accepted industry practice is to count each thread as one, even threads spun as two- or three-ply yarn.

The Federal Trade Commission agrees and recently issued a warning that consumers 'could be deceived or misled' by inflated thread counts."

Dean Miller's beach bedding has never miss-lead or tried to deceive any of its consumers, and has always clearly stated that our cotton percale surf sheets are 200 thread count.

What are comforters made out of?

Comforter Construction:

Filling- Comforters are filled with layers of material such as polyester batting, down feathers, wool, or silk. The loft of the filling determines the weight as well as the level of insulation. The comforter is stitched or quilted to secure the filling and keep it evenly distributed. Dean Miller Surf Bedding uses a 12oz polyester batting fill, with a channel or diamond stitching to keep your comforter looking like it just came off the store rack.

Tropical Shell/Covering- The outer shells of comforters are typically constructed using cotton, silk, or polyester fabrics or blends, of varying thread counts. Comforter shells vary in design and color, often designed to coordinate with other bedding. Dean Miller's beach bedding uses 100% cotton outer shell or covering to give the user a super soft night's sleep. Dean Miller's Hawaiian print fabrics are usually 200 thread count, but we have been known to use even higher thread count in some of our surfboard sheet sets.

What is a Hawaiian comforter?

A comforter is a type of "super sized" blanket. Beach comforters are intended to keep the user warm, especially during sleep, although they can also be used as mattress pads. Tropical comforters are generally large and rectangular in shape, filled with natural or synthetic insulative material and encased in a shell/covering. Dean Miller's tropical comforters have a 100% cotton shell or covering over the fill to ensure the user a nice soft feel.

Comforter sizes usually correspond with mattress or bed sizes, typically mattresses are sold as twin, full, queen, and king. Comforter sizes run slightly larger than actual bed sizes to allow for draping over the sides of the bed. Typical sizes in the United States for comforters are (and Dean Miller Hawaiian bedding uses these same sizes)

•Twin = 64" Width x 87" Length
•Queen / Full = 87" Width x 87" Length
•King = 101" Width x 90" Length.

A comforter is sometimes covered with a duvet (comforter) cover for protection and prolonged use. Duvet is French for "Down". Comforter covers are like a big pillowcase for your comforter, usually closed with zippers or buttons. Dean Miller has etched their logo into it's own wood buttons to firmly hold your comforter in place. Some customers prefer duvets over comforters or bedspreads because they are easier to wash, and can be easily changed out to give your bedroom a completely new look.

So when you are feeling a little tropical be sure to pull your Dean Miller duvet cover out of the closet and make your room do the hula.

Let the Aloha In With Some Beach Signs and A Raffia Grass Bed skirt

Letting the Aloha In with Beach Signs and a Raffia Grass Bed skirt - Decorating your home with beach signs and a raffia grass bed skirt takes a lot of thought and consideration. Dean Miller has a whole store full of beach signs and raffia grass bed skirts dedicated to helping you bring the aloha home. By simply adding new beach signs or a raffia grass bed skirt you can create an inexpensive way to re-decorate. With a wide selection of beach signs and raffia grass bed skirts to choose from, any empty wall space can have new color with the addition of beach signs.

Beach signs can be framed or simply hung with a nail and will compliment your raffia grass bed skirt. Bamboo frames for your beach signs will help keep your tropical theme consistent as well as coordinate with your raffia grass bed skirt. If you really want to highlight your raffia grass bed skirt, you can put a raffia frame around your beach signs for the ultimate thatched look. Beach signs come in all shapes and size, so you are sure to find a beach sign that suits your style. No matter what kind of bed you have, raffia grass bed skirts are available in all sizes.

Picking out beach signs or a raffia grass bed skirt shouldn’t be complicated, but rather a fun experience! I suggest picking your favorite color, and looking over all the beach signs to find which beach sign matches your décor. Fortunately a raffia grass bed skirt only comes in one color so you don’t have to fret about which raffia grass bed skirt you want, just what size raffia grass bed skirt will fit. Most beach signs are in color and depict scenes of Hawaii. Here is an example of a beach sign that has some palm thatching in it that will go great with a raffia grass bed skirt.

Beach signs can be used in your kitchen or living room. A raffia grass bed skirt can be cut up to make a window valance for any room, so your bathroom beach sign won’t be alone. Another idea to highlight your raffia grass bed skirt with your beach signs is to place some beach signs in a hallway going into your bedroom and leave your door open so your visitors can see your raffia grass bed skirt from the hallway. You’re sure to get many compliments on your raffia grass bed skirt as well as your beach signs.

Beach signs start around $ 13.99 to $16.99 depending on which beach sign you choose. A raffia grass bed skirt starts at $49.00 for a twin raffia grass bed skirt and about $5.00 more per size. All beach signs and raffia grass bed skirts are in stock at Dean Miller’s designer store, and all beach signs and raffia grass bed skirts can be easily viewed online. Raffia grass bed skirts and beach signs will offer your home a unique look that is sure to make your home stand out in your neighborhood. Let the aloha in with Dean Miller’s beach signs and raffia grass bed skirt.