Review of Pinzon Fleur Jacquard Woven Duvet

I continue to be impressed with the quality of the high end products in the Pinzon line (see my reviews for the bamboo towels, velvet flannel, etc.). I ordered this bedding collection with sheets, duvet, shams, etc. and the fabric is high quality, the craftsmanship is very good, and the extra touch of the reversible shams (which you can't really tell from the pictures) were a very nice surprise. It coordinates very well with chocolate and lighter browns if you've got those colors already in your room. I took it out of the dryer promptly and avoided ironing which is always a plus for me. I have paid a lot more in the past for this type of quality.

Product Description
Pinzon's Fleur Jacquard Egyptian cotton sateen duvet is both silky soft and elegant. Boasting a sophisticated floral jacquard weave on the face, and a wide-stripe pattern on the reverse, the duvet accessorizes marvelously with other striped and floral pieces from the Fleur Jacquard collection, or mixes beautifully with Pinzon's Diamond Matelasse accessories, as well as Pinzon's Egyptian cotton sateen sheets. Expertly sewn in Portugal from pure Egyptian cotton, the duvet is made with 270 threads per inch and is offered in two colors and two sizes. This duvet measures 92 by 90 inches to fit both full and queen beds and it's safe to clean at home in the washer and dryer. It has a hidden button closure.

Fabric Definitions
Egyptian Cotton: Egyptian cotton is used to make some of the highest quality linens in the world, including sumptuously soft bath and bed linens. Egyptian cotton is grown to produce a longer staple, or fiber, than generic cotton, and the longer and finer a cotton staple is, the better able it is to be spun into finer count yarns, which in turn can be knitted or woven into soft, fine, and luxurious fabrics. The staple length in Egyptian cotton averages 1-1/8 to 1-1/2 inches, but can reach over 2-1/4 inches, which is twice the size of a generic cotton fiber. Products which highlight construction of Egyptian cotton are usually referring to the extra-long-staple cotton produced largely in the Nile River Valley. The humidity and rich soil around the Nile delta produce especially long cotton fibers, which are fine and vary from a light cream to dark tan color. Egyptian cotton is strong, durable and, if cared for properly, will be long lasting.

Sateen: Sateen fabric has a supremely soft, satin-like finish resulting from a four-over-one thread weave. Standard weaves, like percale, use a one-over, one-under stitch. The four-over weave puts more threads nearer the surface, resulting in a softer, warmer surface. Sateen fabrics are most often made of mercerized cotton, but can be made of other fabrics, including cotton blends, polyester, and rayon. Mercerized threads give sateen fabrics a higher luster. Mercerization, named for process-creator John Mercer, involves treating threads with a cold concentrated sodium hydroxide solution. Mercerization also increases strength, dyeability, and resistance to mildew, as well as reduces lint. Sateens can be produced in light and heavy weights, and are ideal for bedding.

History of the Textile Mill
Piubelle, founded in 1981, is one of the most versatile Portuguese home textiles companies, with thousands of existing designs in its collection, including yarn dyes, prints, embroideries, and jacquards. A very efficient design team keeps abreast of trends and stays on the lookout for something new. Innovation is continuous. New threads, fabrics, and colors are frequently tested and analyzed. New products are constantly introduced.
The product lines include a wide range of home linens, such as sheet sets, duvet covers, quilted and woven bedspreads, bath sets and bath robes, throws, tablecloths, and bath rugs. Piubelle always uses the best raw materials in its production stages. Almost all its products are produced with Egyptian cotton and, where requested, there is a label certifying the origin of the cotton.

History of the Region
Portugal's major textile factories are located in Guimaraes. Guimaraes is known as the "cradle" or "birth city" of Portugal, since it is home to the castle of Portugal's first king. As one of the country's most historic cities with well-preserved monuments, it is a popular tourist attraction. Among other sites to see are two squares with outdoor cafes and balconied houses, called Praça de Santiago and Largo da Oliveira. At Largo da Oliveira is the old Town Hall and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, with a Gothic shrine erected in 1340 standing before it. There are many legends about its origins, but a popular story says it marks the spot where Wamba, elected king of the Visigoths, refused his title and drove a pole into the ground swearing that he would not reign until it blossomed, and it sprouted immediately. Guimaraes hosts an annual 3-day festival of medieval art and costume in the first week of August, which dates from the middle of the 15th century and includes a torchlight procession and a medieval parade. Not only renowned for textiles and historical sites, Guimaraes is in the heart of the "Vinho Verde" region, so called for its locally produced fresh, young "green wines."

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