Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

First...I wanted percale sheets (one star, in description only) to replace the 25 year old Fieldcrest sheet set I have that is still in great shape, but it's out dated (the pattern--mid 1990's) and it's a little faded after nearly weekly washing for 25 years. Those sheets are smooth, crisp, yet soft with a good drape (not clingy like microfiber, but not stiff like cardboard). I have worn off the material details from the tag, but I suspect they are predominately cotton, with a little polyester. They never wrinkle, wash up amazing, do not stain, and in general are top of the line quality. So I was looking for a more modern replacement. I wanted a plaid, and I wanted percale (cotton blend would have been ideal, but I can't find any, especially in a pleasing pattern), in a queen size set. Seems reasonable...apparently that is asking too much. People have been duped with being obsessed with thread count. Cotton type and weave matter just as much, people......duh. I found this sheet set after many hours scouring the internet. The colors are OK, at least not offensive, and plaid (check!). They claim to be percale. Percale is made from long staple (typically Egyptian) cotton, and the weave has the same number of stitches going both directions. These two properties create a sheet that is smooth on both sides (equal number of threads), and the type of cotton ensures the threads will be smooth, and not pill. The thread count cannot be very high, because you can fit only some many stitches in a square inch when this weave is used. Usually in the upper 100's to mid 200's. I don't know what they made these sheets out of, but they are horrible and rough on the surface. They are either not a true percale weave OR they used very inferior cotton, like a cheap brand would use. Not only that, but we have standard sized pillows that are very flat since we are both side and stomach sleepers (not much loft in the pillows), and these pillow cases DO NOT cover the ends of our pillows fully. I measured them against my 25 year old set, and they are about 4" shorter than my old pillow cases. I will have to sew on some more fabric so that when I am sleeping on my side with my arm under my pillow I am not laying right on the pillow itself, sans the protective pillow case. THIS is a sanitary issue. Shame on Eddie Bauer, and if you have fluffy pillows, I can guarantee they will not fit right. I washed this set twice before we used them, on heavy duty, to break them in. My husband did not get any sleep on them, and I tossed and turned trying to fall asleep and ignore how scratchy these were. I am never the kind of person who has trouble falling asleep, so that is really striking for me. I feel 100% misled. Not only that but the tiny finished seam on the edges of these without any interfacing, means it crinkles up when washed and dried. Which only makes the pillow cases and flat sheet fit even more poorly. I swear, my 1990's percale set comes out of the dryer perfectly, I just throw it on the bed and pillows and it looks perfect. 'Murica, you have gone downhill. I do not recommend these. Update: Star rating dropped from 2 to 1, and it would be zero if I could give it that rating. These are the WORST sheets I have ever owned, and I am 51 years old. After 10 washings, they are still too scratchy and DEFINITELY NOT PERCALE. PERCALE has the same texture on both sides, and these sheets are super rough on the pattern side, but slightly less on the reverse side. However I put them on my bed after 10 washings upside down (smoother side) and they are still scratchy, grab whatever garment you wear to bed when you rollover, and they cling to everything---the flat sheet clings to the fitted sheet, the flat sheet clings to the blanket, and to you. Again, the pillow cases do not cover our small, standardized, flat loft pillows and I am constantly tugging at the pillow case all night. To say I get a horrible night's sleep on these sheets is an understatement. I never thought sheets could ruin your sleep. Eddie Bauer should be ashamed of themselves. I want to donate these, but I would feel bad for whoever ends up with them. I would not give them to my worst enemy.