Pamela deVries
FOR BRANT NEWS

Cooler nights are here again so why not make up your bed with a warm set of sheets?

Most people change bedding once fall comes to heavier bedcovers so that no matter the weather outside, you’re warm and toasty in bed.

Often a duvet will replace a cotton bedspread or summer blanket. My past article on duvets is available on my blog for more information.

Typically, this is the season for flannel sheets. What is flannel? Flannel is a soft woven fabric originating in the 1600s that was originally made out of treated wool. It was heavy, thick and warm.

Today’s flannel sheets are usually made with cotton or synthetics, however, finer stores carry a woven wool-cotton flannel blend.

Flannel is usually napped, which gives it its softer characteristics. It can be single napped or double napped, which basically means it has a fluffier side, which comes from how it is woven.

Flannel comes in a series of weights rather than by thread count. A heavier weight should last you for several years.

I suggest purchasing a yarn-dyed pattern over the printed pattern, as often printed patterns will fade in heavy wear areas.

Flannel will shrink, so wash sheets in cool or warm water rather than hot. Also ensure you are purchasing the proper size or slightly larger than you need in case of shrinking.

Quality flannel becomes softer with each wash, so your set gets more comfortable with wear.

Another popular type of winter bedding is micro-fleece. This fabric was invented in the 1970s.

These sheets are a woolly type of synthetic polyester with a larger nap than flannel. Micro-fleece is extremely soft and comfortable.

It is an environmentally friendly material, as it is often composed of recycled plastic bottles.

Because micro-fleece does not absorb water well, it is also a great type of bedding for those who perspire while sleeping, as it tends to wick away moisture yet still breathe.

I love these sheets because even on the coldest of nights they are warm to the touch.

The disadvantages of these types of sheets are that they do pill easily and can tear if not correctly sized. They also need to be washed in cool or warm water, as hot water can damage the fibres, and ironing will melt the fabric.

Both of these varieties of sheets not only keep you warmer, they are also a way for people to save some money and conserve energy at night. Covering up with warmer sheets and a good blanket and duvet will help keep your body temperature comfortable even if you turn down your heat before bed.

So bundle up your bed and enjoy warm winter nights.

Pamela deVries is a certified interior decorator, www.pameladevriesdesigns.com.