What's included in a family bedding set

Beautiful, high-quality bedding ensures good sleep and health for family members. We select the right set of the appropriate size.

Bed linen has always been the subject of special attention of housewives. It made up a large part of the bride’s dowry; the best fabrics were used to sew it, knowing that performance and health depended on the quality of a night’s sleep. A good rest is only possible with appropriately sized underwear that will not slip off the bed or roll under the weight of the sleeper.

Family bedding set

Requirements for the size of bed linen are caused by:

• bed size;
• sizes of blankets and pillows;
• individual preferences.

Modern standard bedroom furniture is produced in slightly larger sizes than it was 10 or 15 years ago. To select the right bedding, the housewife needs to know the size of the bed on which an adult or a married couple sleeps. If there are two mattresses on it, you need to know the size of each of them.

Our usual beds are 180–200 cm long and are designed for one or two people. There are beds of non-standard sizes and shapes on sale. In order for your sleep to be comfortable, the linen should be larger than the mattress, pillows and blankets:

• 70–90 cm wider than the mattress;
• 5–7 cm wider than the blanket;
• 4–6 cm wider than the pillow.

The sets available for sale will differ in the number of products in the set and their sizes. The following sets are available for sale:

• sets for one person;
• for two people - double and family.

Equipment and sizes of bed linen in Russia

Set	Duvet cover	Sheet	Pillowcase
single	1	1	2
double	1	1	2 (4)
Euro	1	1	2 (4)
family	2	1	2 (4)

It is impossible to say which set is better; the choice always depends on a person’s taste. Read a detailed article about bed linen sizes.

Sizes and accessories of bed linen in Europe and the USA

The size, type and configuration of bedding traditionally depends on the customs of each nation. Large pillows, characteristic of the CIS and Germany, are completely incomprehensible to a Czech or Italian. Distinctive features of the linen configuration in the sets are:

• in European countries - without sheets, they are sold separately;
• in the USA - the absence of a duvet cover; instead, a sheet is offered, which is attached to the blanket with buttons or pins.

There are options for summer and winter sets from various fabrics, sets in which the number of pillowcases has been increased - two of them have a decorative design. A sheet with an elastic band is common - it is selected according to the size of the mattress. When purchasing lingerie sets abroad, check what is included in the set.

The labeling of underwear from European and American manufacturers differs, and this is a tribute to tradition, since a different measurement system is used.The US and UK traditionally measure in feet and inches, Europeans use the metric system.

European sizes and equipment

The difference between European linen and the usual Russian one is the size and variety of cut of pillowcases. It is designed for wide beds with high mattresses.

European sets and sizes in meters

Names	Sheet	Duvet cover	Pillowcase
Single/Twin	1.83 x 2.74	1.45 x 2.00	0.51 x 0.76
Double/Full	2.29 x 2.74	2.00 x 2.20	0.51 x 0.76
King/Queen	2.30 x 2.20	1.80 x 2.00	0.51 x 0.76
King/Queen	305 x 320	2.60 x 2.20	0.51 x 0.76

The sizes are named:

Full – similar to a traditional Russian double, no more.

Queen - corresponds to the domestic European set, but traditionally a few centimeters larger:

Single – for one person, slightly larger in size.

American underwear sizes and accessories

American sets and sizes in meters

NAME	SHEET	DUVET COVER	PILLOWCASE
Single/Twin	1.68 x 2.44	1.70 x 2.20	0.51 x 0.76
Double/Full	2.06 x 2.44	1.93 x 2.20	0.51 x 0.76
King/Queen	2.31 x 2.59	2.20 x 2.30	0.51 x 0.86
King/Queen	2.74 x 2.59	2.64 x 2.34	0.51 x 1.02

The following markings of bed linen are also found on sale:

• King-size – especially large size, would be appropriate for a special bed.
• 2, 1,5,1-bed – marks sets of various types for one or 2 people.
• extra long single – one and a half set with longer sheets;
• Family – a set with two duvet covers for a married couple.
• fitted sheet – a sheet with an elastic band is included, found in sets with a width of more than 140 cm and selected according to the size of the mattress.

Labeling of home textiles for sleep, which you should focus on

A packaged bedding set must include an insert describing its characteristics and contents. Manufacturer's marking can be represented by a label, tape, or stamp.

The presence of these marks, which identify the manufacturer, fabric composition and packaging, confirms the quality of the linen.

Type of material used

Manufacturers use:

• natural fabrics;
• synthetic;
• from a mixture of fibers.

The main materials used for sewing bed linen from natural fabrics are:

cotton – traditional fabric for sewing bed linen, absorbs moisture well and does not retain air. Does not accumulate static electricity. Disadvantage: shrinks when washed. Based on cotton threads of various weaves, fabrics with excellent user properties are produced:

• satin – material made from strongly twisted cotton threads, reminiscent of silk, withstands more than 200 washes;
• calico – dense, strong and simple material, holds color well;
• chintz – cheap material, quickly wears out and fades;
• biomatin – a material that combines the properties of calico and satin has the ability to maintain natural body temperature in the cold and hot seasons;
• ranfors – a material similar to calico, but softer, maintains physiological body temperature.
• twill – a material similar to satin, but not as dense and cheaper than satin;
• batiste – soft, very thin fabric. It is used for sewing bedding only in rare cases;
• percale – delicate, smooth, silky-looking fabric, extremely wear-resistant, can withstand more than 800 washes without loss of quality;
• poplin – durable and soft material, tolerates washing well;
• flannel – a warm material, typically “winter”, but does not dry well due to its thickness and wears out quickly.

Linen - a traditional material for Russia, it is durable, hygroscopic, and breathable. Its consumer qualities are better than cotton, it has antibacterial properties, and the linen is pleasant to the skin.

Flaws – shrinks when washed, wrinkles easily, and is difficult to iron.

Silk – extremely skin-friendly, lightweight and durable material with good air and moisture permeability.

Flaw – high price, requires complex care and does not tolerate direct sunlight.

Atlas - similar to silk, but cheaper material.

Flaws – slips and slides off the mattress, tightens during washing.

Synthetic materials used:

• Polyester – completely artificial, rigid material. Does not allow air to pass through, often accumulates static discharge.
• Flaw – not suitable for bed linen;
• Bamboo fabric – visually and in properties similar to silk. The base is bamboo, processed and formed as a fiber, so the fabric is classified as synthetic. Has antibacterial properties;
• Rayon – a synthetic based on viscose silk and cellulose, the fabric uses satin weave. Durable, soft fabric, does not fade.
• Flaw – does not remove moisture and air well.

Mixed fiber fabrics used for sewing linen:

• Polycotton – blended fabric made of cotton and polyester (cotton ratio from 52 to 85%). Does not wrinkle, washes well and does not shrink. Disadvantage - poor air permeability, poorly tolerated by allergy sufferers.

The insert or label of quality underwear must contain an indication of fabric density. For fabrics:

• Low density indicator is 20–30 threads per square meter. cm;
• medium density - up to 65 threads;
• high - up to 130 threads.

The resistance of fabrics to wear and their price depend on the level of density.

Product dimensions

Information about this is indicated on the packaging or insert. To make the right choice, you need to know the size of the mattress and soft bedding.

Manufacturer's name

The manufacturer's name is indicated on the packaging. This is a sealed bag, but for more expensive or gift sets, a PVC bag, cardboard packaging box or branded gift bag is used. The most well-known manufacturers of high-quality inexpensive underwear are: Valtery, Saylid, Cleo, Vasilisa, Asabella, Tac, Monolith, Casabel, MonaLisa, representing Turkey, Russia and China. The label must indicate the manufacturer's address, contact information, email or website.

A trademark is the company’s emblem, its symbolic image, indicated on the packaging. If the name does not correspond to the symbolism of the brand, the product is of poor quality. Sometimes the quality of not very well-known, start-up brands is no different in quality from the products of well-known brands.

Care instructions

The packaging contains symbols for laundry care. Primary requirements:

• temperature for machine or hand washing – 30–40 degrees;
• Do not use bleach;
• ironing at medium temperature;
• possibility of using a dryer or similar washing machine function;
• ban on the use of chemicals for cleaning stains.

The choice and purchase of bedding must be approached with all responsibility - the health of the family depends on it.Well-chosen, high-quality linen lasts a long time and does not lose its appearance when washed.