Bedding Set Glossary

Bed Skirt - Decorative bed accessory often used with a comforter. A bed skirt (also called a dust ruffle) covers the box spring and bed frame and hangs touching the floor or nearly touching the floor.

Box Spring - A bed foundation that contains springs

California King - Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 72" wide by 84" long

Duvet - A warm, soft bed covering that is filled with down or feathers

Duvet Cover - A large protective and usually decorative casing for a fiber-filled duvet or comforter. A duvet/comforter cover is easily removable. Ties, buttons, zippers and snaps are typical closures.

Euro Sham - An ornamental covering for a European square shaped pillow.

Fitted Sheet - Sheet used to cover one's mattress. Also called the "bottom sheet." Fitted sheets usually have gusset corners with some type of elastic sewn around the bottom edge to provide fit and holding attributes around the mattress.

Flat Sheet - Also called the "top sheet," a flat sheet is placed on top of the fitted sheet and is typically tucked around the mattress at the sides and the bottom.

Gusset - A triangle insert that adds strength to edges and corners (such as a seam)

Gusseted - Items that are reinforced with gussets

Jacquard - In fabrics, an intricate, complex type of weaving and the cloth it produces. A loom outfitted with a "jacquard attachment" produces jacquards.

King Size - Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 76" wide by 80" long (Also known as Eastern King)

Linen - Flax is the plant, linen is the product from flax. The term, linen, cannot be used except for natural fiber flax. Among the properties of linen are rapid moisture absorption, fiber length of few inches to one yard, no fuzziness, does not soil quickly, a natural luster and stiffness.

Mattress - The actual sleep surface of the bed; a bed's support, firmness and comfort are supplied by the mattress

Pillow Sham - A decorative covering for a pillow, typically with a trim, either tailored or ruffled

Queen Size - Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 60" wide by 80" long

Quilt - A bed covering made of scraps of fabrics sewn together with a decorative cross stitch design

Shantung - A silk fabric very similar to, but heavier than, pongee. Originally woven of wild silk in Santung, China, now often made with synthetics or mixtures. Also, a cotton fabric with an elongated slub filling yarn.

Thread Count - A measurement of fabric density reflecting the number of threads per square inch. A high thread count results in finer, smoother weave and can extend the life and increase the value of your bedding.

Twin Size - Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 39" wide by 75" long