Where do you buy your high thread count bedlinen?

[oopslateagain]

DH has just given me the go-ahead to buy really good-quality bedlinen (as opposed to the rubbish bed-in-a-bag stuff we've been making do with). I've never had good bedlinen and I'm rather ridiculously excited.

I'm going for Egyptian cotton, and I know that the higher the thread count, the better the quality. I have a couple of questions though:

I'd rather buy a couple of sets than have to "wash-and-wear", so have to balance the thread count with the cost! What is a really good thread count that won't break the bank?

Can it all be tumble-dried?

Does the thread count affect the amount of creasing in the wash i.e. how much ironing does it need? I don't actually own an iron, just a handheld steamer, so the creasing will actually make a difference to my choice.

TIA!

I found that it needs more ironing.

I did find lovely pillowcases from the white company, very soft high thread count.

My last lots of 600 count have come from TK Maxx and from the Debenhams sale. My friend swears by getting hers from the TV sales channels, QVC etc who all have websites too.

I don't iron mine, I don't mind the bed looking creased and it's still soft and comfy.

I buy mine in TKmaxx and marks and spencer. TKmaxx is great for sheets. Duvet covers are more difficult to find in there although you might be lucky. I'd say it creases a lot but I normally wash,tumble dry and put it straight back on the bed and find the creases come out quite quickly. Depends how perfect you want things to look I suppose.

TK Maxx for me too, especially for sheets and pillowcases.

I just get a bit fed up with how hard it is to get anything other than white!

We have a TK Maxx within 20 miles , I think they may be getting a visit.

I always wash and tumble dry then fold it immediately, smoothing it all nice and flat, and that usually takes care of most creases. I don't mind the odd wrinkle on the bedlinen but I do like it to look 'nice'!

I might have to buy a couple of sheets and pillowcases first to try it for creasing. OMG I might even have to buy an iron

So 600 is a good count to aim for? I've seen everything from 400 up to 1200, I think. I looked on the White Company and they go up to 720.

I had White Company, forever renamed Shite Company in this house, 300tc that went to holes in under 3 years.

The current bedding is Christy 300tc from TK Maxx, it might also go to holes in under 3 years but they didn't cost me £££.

Oh and the shite company said if it lasts longer than 6 months its wear and tear and they don't want to know about it.

The Tesco Finest 400 are great, really soft and wash and tumble no problem.

There's a sale on at White Company - I can get a king duvet cover and a fitted sheet for £150 + p&p, which I thought was good - but maybe I'll avoid them Fluffy.

Tesco? Really?

I'd forgotten about my Tesco bargain! I'm lying on it right now, 600 count Egyptian cotton which I got in a sale about 5 years ago, for about £8 for. Kingsize set, it's the best one I have! Definitely give them a look

I really wouldn't bother with them, there's a reason we're all saying TK Maxx.

It's not worth the money.

I bought a 400tc duvet cover in a "sateen finish" from John Lewisfour years ago it's used every other week, still looks like new and doesn't seem to need ironed. It's actually gotten softer with age. It was about £100 but totally worth it in the long term. I rate TK Maxx too, christie sheets at a third of retail :)

It's worth checking out department stores too they sometimes have great discounts on discontinued stock items. I bought some lovely christies square pillowcases in a blue and white Moroccan pattern for 50p each. They look fab with existing white bedding and an old blue chenille throw.

I buy the very high thread count White Company sheets and launder frequently and on high temperatures (often 90). No issues, even on the oldest sheets which are 5 years old.

If £ is no option, I'd recommend Frette - cotton which has the handfeel of silk and is a dream to sleep in.

Yes, higher thread counts do seem to wrinkle more in the wash/dryer than lower counts, but I find that it irons out easier than 200 percale sheets and wrinkles less on the bed.

This company is very good, though I find their 1000 thread count to be really difficult to iron. 600 count is a good compromise. Delivery is quick, prices competitive, and quality really excellent.

this one

I have had a bottom sheet from TKK Maxx and it has pilled quite badly so I was not best pleased as it was expensive. Somebody mentioned on another thread the king of cotton website , so it might be worth a look on there. I am going to treat myself to a new duvet cover soon from there.

Molecule they look good, very reasonable prices too.

King of Cotton

To be honest, the higher the thread count the more you struggle getting it ironed....

I would go for M&S non-iron Supima bed linen

I like Hotel Collection bedlinen from House of Fraser - 500 thread count and they always go in the sale.

Oh, and I only iron pillowcases, not the big bits

TK for me too - I get cheap Frette there (lasts a lifetime) and 600 tc oxford pillowcases are 2 for 12 quid.

My QVC (Northern Nights) bedlinen is infinitely nicer than my M&S or White Company equivalents.

I have had the very expensive Egyptian cotton stuff - didn't wear well; the cheap and cheerful stuff in a bag - didn't wear well and bobbled. About 15 years ago we went the M&S plain as you can get 100% cotton route and had a nice, proper bedspread made out of a pair of old bay window curtains in GP&J Baker fabric. Bed always looks lovely, linen always feels nice. The three M&S sets I bought back then are still going strong. The sheets are starting to feel a bit thin and the duvet covers are going a bit but I keep putting off replacing them. But it doesn't matter because the bed gets covered in something pretty every day.