With so many different sheets available today, it's difficult to make comparisons, and thread count provides no absolute guarantee of quality. The Hammacher Schlemmer Institute initiated their first-ever test for Best cotton sheets and received additional, expert input from the editor of a leading textile publication. The Best sheets are not only luxuriously soft and comfortable, they were made to last. The Best sheets withstood almost 9 pounds of tearing force and 82 pounds of tensile force. The sheets tested had to be 100% cotton with a thread count between 275 and 400. Sheets should stand up to frequent laundering, have a good feel and softness, minimal shrinkage, hold their color and be virtually tear resistant. While other sheets evaluated had a grainy, stiff hand, the Best sheets received among the highest score for feel and softness. Shrinkage is a characteristic to cotton; the industry standard for shrinkage testing is 3 washing and drying cycles. The Institute washed the sheets for 25 cycles. The Best sheets shrank less than 2%--one other brand shrank nearly 7%. Throughout the washings, the Best sheets developed only minimal pilling and there was no perceptible change in color; others noticeably faded or lost luster. 100% Egyptian cotton; 350 thread count. Imported from Portugal. Please specify white, ivory or taupe. Twin, flat (66" W x 102" L).