First sleep: Brooklinen Classic Core Sheetset
I have always enjoyed that Motortrend gives a "First Look" review of new cars so that we, the eager public, can sink our teeth into something while they do their more in-depth road testing and real-life driving. This review is about that same level of depth since I've only had the Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set (Bedford Navy Stripe) for one day.
Purchase Process - Simple, quick. I bought online, chose my payment and delivery method, and had the package shipped to work. Now that I know they ship using USPS rather than UPS, I will have it shipped home since I can have those deliveries during the day even if we aren't home. I received the shipment 6 days after purchase, including a 2-day delay at my local post office (Chicago has a terrible USPS system). Price for queen was $109 plus $10 shipping. I've since learned they do offer free shipping on larger orders.
Packaging - This shouldn't matter, but hopefully the same care that goes into packaging goes into procurement and production. The sheets were perfectly folded inside their own tote bag along with a thank-you note and a sample pack of "The Launderess" detergent. The sheets had no obvious scent or chemical odor, which I've come to expect from some other brands.
Quality/Texture - I first examined all the visible stitching: tight and no loose threads. Next I laid out both the pillowcases and the top sheet on a flat surface to make sure the pieces were cut square and could be pressed flat. Perfection. My issue with the Threshold percale sheetset I recently bought is that the two of the four pillowcases are impossible to press flat; the open and closed ends are not the same width and therefore geometrically crooked. Although the Brooklinen sheets are square, they also have designed the pillowcases differently. There is not hem visible on the outside. It is an internal cuff so the exterior is just pure and flat with no hem. I'm sure there's a word for this.
Washability - Despite perviously committing to doing the first wash in a liquid, I could resist washing these new sheets in some of the vintage Tide powder I recently secured. I used one Sears scoop (roughly 2 TBS) and did a 120F long wash with no FS. I smooth-pressed each piece against my chest before putting into the dryer and removed the cases and top sheet when they were still just slightly damp, allowing the fitted sheet to dry completely. Out of the dryer, these have a better feel than the Threshold sheets I've been using the last few weeks. The Threshold sheets, to me, feel a bit like wax paper out of the dryer; they press nicely, but feel somewhat artificial prior to ironing. The Brooklinen are wrinkled, like Percale tends to be, but feel softer. Most importantly, they pressed beautifully. The stitching and measuring is accurate so they are easy to lay out on the board and press. I was done with the pillowcases and top sheet in good time.
Bedmaking/sleeping - I have a medium-depth mattress, and the fitted sheet snugged up nicely in all corners. The Threshold fitted sheet is always a bit of a pain for me (it's not too small, it's just awkward) but this one slipped right on. The top sheet is plenty long, but I wish it were just slightly wider for tucking on the sides. It's not any narrower than the Threshold -- probably the exact same width. My partner and I both thought they felt very good for the first night. I'm chronically overheated in bed so having crisp, cool sheets has been a nice gift by going back to percale. I iron almost nothing, but pressing linen kitchen towels and percale bed sheets is almost therapeutic.
Buy again? - Too early to tell, but initial thought is YES. I am a bit supporter of direct-to-consumer, disruptive retail, and of anything not made in China. The price is also really good for material of this quality (long-staple, single-ply, Egyptian cotton). Plus, there's a generous 60-day return policy. I'm interested in trying their down comforter and duvet cover, but that may have to wait.
Attached are a few photos of the sheets in the package. You'll just have to trust me that they look good on the bed. We've finished off every room in our condo except the master, and it's just not photo-ready. Sorry, folks. But happy to answer any questions.
Comments (26)
Alex Chicago
8 years agoAnd here is a photo of a made pillow so you can better see the design and the lack of hem.
Related Discussions
Should I give up on percale sheets?
Comments (88)I have gone back to Riley sheets, one that I liked in the beginning. I kept trying different brands, searching for that Holy Grail. I found a vintage Wamsutta on ebay, and they are so scratchy. I've now washed them literally 20+ times to get them to soften up, and I still don't like them. Does anyone want a fitted queen Wamsutta and two standard pillowcases? 50/50 queen size. Also, tried Vermont Country Store resin free, and they are ok. I'm not in love with them, but they've only been washed once. I don't know about their longevity. Based on another reviewer, I ordered Cologne and Cotton from the UK. ohmigod, these are the worst sheets I've ever tried to sleep on. They are basically sandpaper. I don't know how to soften them up, I'm afraid it's just wasted money. I am spoiled by Brooklinen arriving already smooth, not scratchy, but maintaining coolness and crispness. I just want them slightly heavier, and not wear out so quickly. I'm hoping to get that with Riley, plus Riley has better color choices....See MoreCalling Rococogurl or any other textile experts...
Comments (7)Hi Alex, I've never heard of Brooklinen but that doesn't mean anything as there are so many online retailers. So are you looking at the Classic Core Sheet set? Queen? If so, those are percale which means they will be crisp sheets and will be best if ironed. Are you up for ironing or, at least, hand smoothing when they come out of the dryer? Hand smoothing is another strategy because percale is like those very fine old-fashioned white men's shirts -- the really smooth shirts. Egyptian cotton is good. Oeko-tex certified is excellent. Made in Canada is a first for me but with a little googling it seems there are a number of sheet manufacturers there. Learn something new every day. I will say for 270 count percale this sheet set seems to be about $100 less than on most sites I know. The LL Bean (made in Portugal) Egyptian cotton sheets set are 400 thread count and about $209 for a Queen set. Company Store have several percales, priced seperately. Those only say "combed cotton" and "imported" -- I like specific. But anything over 200 is OK for percale and Egyptian cotton is always good. One thing to be aware: the bottom Brooklinen fitted sheet is 15 inches deep. If you have one of those big pillowtop mattresses it may be an issue. If you don't know offhand how deep the mattress is then I'd measure. And measure against the depth of fitted sheets that you know fit. It's important to allow a slight bit for shrinkage. http://www.thecompanystore.com/percale1_sheets?sz=45 http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/110938?feat=131-GN1&page=premium-egyptian-percale-sheet-set If I'm not looking at the right choice or you have more questions let me know....See MoreVintage Washed Percale Sheets
Comments (75)By the way....a few old-time tips on ironing cotton, including sheets. It is much harder to get good results if the sheet (or other item) has been dried and you rewet it with a mister or use steam. It is best for the item to be uniformly and slightly damp, and then you don't need or want a mister or steam. If your washer spins fast enough to remove most of the water (as most front-loaders now do) you can iron directly from the washer. In the old days washers had a mangle (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangle_(machine) which would press the excess water out before ironing...eventually some mangles were even heated. If you mist you just won't get the fabric evenly wet enough to iron it easily or well, and a steam setting takes much longer and results are not as good. The old timey way, if not ironed directly from washing, was to wet the fabric before ironing by "sprinkling" with water, which added a lot more water than a mister. Search for "vintage cork sprinkler" on ebay and you'll see what was used! I remember that when my mother didn't have time to iron immediately after washing she would roll up the items while damp and place in the freezer in a plastic bag. When she had time to iron, the items would thaw pretty quickly, and they were uniformly wet. When cotton is uniformly wet, you do want to use the highest setting on the iron, which is usually for cotton and linen. But keep the iron moving of course! And of course a bit of MamaPinky's starch will give an ultra smooth finish!...See MoreFound Some! New, Crisp, Cool, Cotton Percale Sheets
Comments (97)I have some of the Target Threshold percales. One set was returned a month later as the fitted split down the middle, another was returned several months later falling apart at the elastic. Some of the print ones are rarely used but are ok...a white fitted that's used all the time is shredding at the elastic corners..Threshold has several makers, some are made in China and some in India. some of the exact sheets feel ok in the package and some feel like parachute fabric. Although with sheets now being treated with different chemicals like insecticide you really can't tell how a sheet will really feel until its had a number of good washes. All in all most of the Threshold sheets are worth buying, they arnt expensive so I guess if you use them regularly and they last a year its all good. Personally I feel sheets should be an investment, buy a few really good quality sheets and your set. I only use vintage percales, 100% long staple cotton....love them....See MoreAlex Chicago
8 years ago
rococogurl
8 years agoAlex Chicago
8 years ago
mamapinky0
8 years agorococogurl
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoFirst off, I didn't say to Alex that the review was really a great one! You hit all the points Alex. What's more, it looks like you may have a found a good percale source. That's so great.
Here's my dirty little secret @mamapinky. All my sheets came from the Sferra warehouse sales in 2006-07. The first one was before they had a website. A king percale sheet set was $87. We had 2 places then so I bought sheets for both places, also cotton knit blankets and my quilted duvet covers. That first sale was really good. Then they had them every 6 months and by the third one, prices had escalated, the best stuff I was after (Celeste Percale) wasn't showing up, and I was tired of getting up at 5 a.m. to rent a car and drive there to get in line by 7 a.m. Haven't bought any since 2007. Probably won't ever buy any more since that quality/price opportunity is gone. A Sferra set even on ebay -- folks in Jersey go to the sale and resell online -- is now $200-300.
Here are some pix of the first sale. After that, I learned I had to lock everything but my keys and a credit car in the trunk so both hands were free and I could drag the big bags around the sale unencumbered LOL.
Alex Chicago
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agopractigal
8 years agoAlex Chicago
8 years agopractigal
8 years agomamapinky0
8 years agorococogurl
8 years agorococogurl
8 years agomamapinky0
8 years agoAlex Chicago
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8 years ago
Debbi Branka
8 years agomamapinky0
8 years agoAlex Chicago
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Michael
8 years ago
rococogurl