Shopping for cotton bedding, you'll see two words again and again: twill and sateen. Neither is a different kind of cotton. They describe how the cotton is woven, and that weave changes how your sheets look, feel and wear.
We make both, so we'll be straight with you about what each one does best.
The quick answer
Choose twill if you like a crisp, relaxed, everyday feel that's easy to live with.
Choose sateen if you want a silky, smooth, hotel-style feel.
What is cotton twill?
Twill is woven in a diagonal pattern, the same structure you'll find in a good pair of jeans, only much softer. That diagonal weave gives the fabric a little more body and texture.
Twill feels...
- Soft but structured, with a matte finish
- Breathable and light on the skin
- Relaxed and lived-in, and it gets comfier with every wash
Our Patterned Cotton Sets use a 205 thread count cotton twill, starting from $64. They come in Soft Citrus, Coastal Blue, Mist Blue, Blue Ochre and Sage Sand.
What is cotton sateen?
Sateen uses a different weave that lets more of the yarn sit on the surface of the fabric. The result is a smoother, silkier feel with a subtle sheen. It's still 100% cotton, just woven to feel a little more luxurious.
Sateen feels...
- Silky-smooth, with a soft glow
- Fluid, with a drape that falls neatly over the bed
- Cosy and a touch warmer against the skin
Our Signature Premium Cotton Sets use a 295 thread count cotton sateen, starting from $74. They come in Horizon Blue, Lavender Grey, Soft Blush, Warm Sand and Midnight Blue.
Twill vs sateen at a glance
| Cotton twill | Cotton sateen | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Soft, crisp and relaxed | Silky-smooth and luxe |
| Look | Matte, with a subtle diagonal texture | Soft sheen, smooth surface |
| Breathability | Airy and light | Slightly warmer and cosier |
| Drape | Structured | Fluid and flowing |
| Thread count | 205 (our Patterned range) | 295 (our Signature range) |
| Care | Machine washable | Machine washable |
| Our price | from $64 | from $74 |
Both ranges are 100% cotton complete sets: quilt cover, fitted sheet, flat sheet and two pillowcases.
A note on thread count
Thread count is how many threads are woven into a square inch of fabric, but it isn't the whole story. Twill and sateen are woven differently, so their numbers aren't a direct like-for-like comparison. A higher number doesn't automatically mean "better". It's the weave that decides the feel, so choose the one you'll enjoy sleeping in.
Which one should you choose?
Go for twill if you...
- Like a crisp, airy feel
- Want easy, everyday bedding for the family or guest room
- Love relaxed stripes, checks and coastal colours
- Want great value from $64
Go for sateen if you...
- Love a smooth, silky feel
- Want a hotel-style bed with a soft sheen
- Run cool at night or sleep through Melbourne winters
- Prefer timeless, neutral tones
Caring for your cotton
Both are machine washable. To keep them soft for years:
- Follow the care label on your set
- Wash with similar colours and avoid overloading the machine
- Skip harsh detergents so the fabric stays soft
Can't decide? Feel them side by side.
Visit us at South Melbourne Market and compare both weaves in person. Wednesday 23rdSeptember to Sunday 18th October
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