Percale, Jersey and Sateen – Weaves Explained

Short answer: Percale, jersey and sateen do not describe the material, but the way the fabric is woven or knitted. Percale is densely woven, matte and cool, jersey is knitted, soft and stretchy, and sateen is smooth and lustrous. So the same fibre, bamboo viscose for example, can give you three quite different bedding experiences.

What Are Percale, Jersey and Sateen, Really?

Percale is a dense, plain-woven quality with a cool, crisp feel, the classic hotel experience. Jersey is knitted just like a T-shirt and is therefore soft and yielding from the very first night. A sateen weave lays the threads so the surface turns smooth and slightly lustrous. The weave determines the feel; the fibre determines the properties.

The Fibre Matters Most for Your Sleep

Whatever the weave, it is the fibre that decides how well the bedding handles moisture and heat. Bamboo viscose moves moisture away and feels cool, which sleepers prone to night sweats especially appreciate. Read more in the article about better sleep with bamboo, and see the comparison of bamboo bedding vs percale cotton.

How to Choose in Practice

If you like cool, smooth sheets, go for a sateen-woven bamboo quality; if you prefer that soft T-shirt feel, choose jersey. See the range of bamboo bedding and find a matching bamboo fitted sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is percale?

Percale is a dense, plain-woven fabric quality with a matte surface and a cool, crisp feel. The word describes the weave, not the fibre.

What is the difference between jersey and sateen in bedding?

Jersey is knitted and feels soft and stretchy like a T-shirt, while sateen is woven smooth with a light sheen and a cooler feel.

Which weave is best in bamboo bedding?

That is a matter of taste. Sateen-woven bamboo is smooth and cool, jersey is soft and yielding. You get the bamboo fibre's moisture transport with both.