Archive for July, 2010
A Brief Look at the Pillow
Historically, pillows were used mainly by the wealthy and have been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The difficulty of sophisticated dyes and sewing techniques lead to the development of pillows as an art form, with highly decorated pillows becoming prized commodities, first in China and later in Medieval Europe. The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of decorated textiles and decorated pillows. Traditional Chinese pillows are often hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal, or porcelain instead of stuffed fabric
These days, pillows are often made of foam, down or a synthetic mixture. Down pillows are often thought of as the pinnacle of luxury and are available at varied prices.
Egyptian cotton is a term applied to the extra long staple cotton produced in Egypt. Ironically, this cotton species is the same as the Native American species, and was introduced by Mohammad Ali Pasha in the early nineteenth century. During the American Civil War, Europeans purchased their cotton from Egypt, and the cotton became an important part of producing clothing in Europe. Earlier Egyptian peoples made their clothing from linen.
In recent years, Egyptian cotton has recognized a meteoric rise in popularity, particularly when it comes to bedding. Egyptian cotton is often associated with luxury and high class brands in modern times, with king Egyptian cotton sheets in constant demand for their warmth and incredible breathability.