What is the difference between a Percale and a Sateen sheet?
The only difference between a percale and a sateen is the way it is woven. A “percale” sheet is a basket weave. A basket weave interlaces threads at a ratio of 1 to1 giving it a matte finish. A “sateen” sheet, is a satin weave. This is a weave that interlaces the thread at a ratio of 3 to 1 (for cotton sheeting) so that the face of the fabric is covered by the warp yarn and making the twill line indistinguishable. This gives it the smooth “Satin-like” finish.
