Flaxfield Linen

Fabrics &
materials.

At Flaxfield Linen, the feel, performance and longevity of our bed linen begins with the materials we choose. Every fabric is selected for breathability, durability and comfort with careful consideration given to how it performs in Australian homes and climates.

Long-staple cotton · Cotton sateen · Percale · Alpaca · Wool · Bamboo cotton
Our approach

Natural fibres,
chosen with purpose.

We choose natural fibres for their exceptional comfort, durability and lasting performance. Long staple cotton, alpaca and wool each offer breathable insulation, allowing heat and moisture to move away from the body to help maintain a comfortable sleeping environment throughout the seasons.

This natural breathability is particularly valuable in Australian homes, where warm nights and changing temperatures call for bedding that responds to the climate rather than trapping excess heat.

Rather than following seasonal trends, we believe in creating bedding that is made to last. Every fabric is selected for its quality, craftsmanship and ability to soften with washing while maintaining its strength and character, becoming more comfortable and more beautiful with time.

01
Long-staple cotton

Longer fibres create finer, stronger yarns — resulting in smoother fabric that resists pilling and becomes softer with every wash.

02
Cotton sateen

Smooth, fluid weave with a subtle sheen. Breathable and temperature-regulating for year-round comfort.

03
Percale

Crisp, cool, matte. One-over one-under weave. Excellent breathability.

04
Alpaca

Naturally insulating yet lightweight. Regulates temperature effectively and is well suited to sensitive skin.

05
Wool

Resilient, breathable and moisture-wicking. Regulates body temperature and adds structure to bedding layers.

06
Bamboo cotton

Exceptionally soft, highly absorbent and anti-bacterial. Used in our bath linen ranges.

Bed linen

Long-staple
cotton.

Long staple cotton is prized for its exceptional fibre length. Compared with standard cotton, the longer fibres can be spun into finer, stronger yarns, creating fabrics that feel smoother, resist pilling more effectively and retain their quality for years to come.

Every Flaxfield Linen bedding collection begins with this foundation. Long staple cotton allows us to achieve refined tailoring, a smooth, lustrous finish and bedding that maintains its structure, softness and appearance wash after wash.

By comparison, short staple cotton contains shorter fibres that create more joins within the yarn. These weaker points can result in a rougher feel, increased pilling and fabrics that wear more quickly with regular use. While the difference may not always be obvious when new, it becomes increasingly noticeable over time.

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Long-staple vs short-staple cotton

Long-staple
Short-staple
Fibre length
38 mm +
Under 25 mm
With washing
Softens, improves
Rough, pills
Durability
High
Lower
Used by Flaxfield
Yes — all collections
No
Weave structures

Cotton sateen & percale.

The weave structure determines how bed linen feels against the skin, how it drapes and how it performs over time. The two most common weaves for cotton bed linen are sateen and percale each with distinct characteristics suited to different preferences.

Flaxfield collections
Cotton sateen
Four-over, one-under weave
  • Smooth surface with subtle sheen
  • Fluid drape and soft handle
  • Breathable and temperature-regulating
  • Thread count range: 300–600
  • Responds beautifully to ironing

Used across Flaxfield quilt cover sets, sheet sets and pillowcases. Our cotton sateen is woven at 400 thread count using single-pick insertion.

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Classic weave
Percale
One-over, one-under weave
  • Crisp, cool and matte finish
  • Lightweight and highly breathable
  • Ideal for warm sleepers and hot climates
  • Thread count range: 200–300
  • Fresh, hotel-linen feel

Percale is the weave most associated with luxury hotel bedding. Its crisp handle and excellent breathability make it the preferred choice for warm Australian summers.

Bedding layers

Alpaca & wool.

Alpaca fibre

Alpaca fibre is prized for its warmth, lightness and exceptionally soft texture. Finer than traditional wool, alpaca provides excellent insulation without heaviness making it ideal for throws and bedding layers that add warmth without bulk.

Naturally breathable and very low in lanolin, alpaca is suitable for people with sensitive skin or wool sensitivities. It helps regulate body temperature by trapping warmth when needed and releasing excess heat making it genuinely comfortable across seasons.

Our alpaca throws are designed to layer easily over the bed, adding texture, warmth and visual depth without overwhelming the space.

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Wool

Wool is one of nature's most effective temperature-regulating fibres. It responds actively to changes in body temperature helping to keep you warm in winter and comfortable during transitional seasons without overheating.

Used alongside alpaca in selected Flaxfield bedding layers, wool contributes resilience, structure and longevity. It is naturally breathable, moisture-wicking and highly durable.

Temperature regulation

Breathability

Softness

Durability

Suitable for sensitive skin

Towels

Bamboo cotton
Turkish weave.

Our towel ranges are woven from a bamboo cotton blend using a traditional Turkish weave structure. This combination produces a towel that is exceptionally soft from first use and highly absorbent.

Bamboo cotton is naturally antibacterial and resistant to odour, making it well suited to bathroom use. The Turkish weave creates a flat, lightweight structure that dries quickly on the towel rail rather than retaining moisture like heavier terry-loop constructions.

Available in the Chevron and Cloud ranges, each designed for a different aesthetic while sharing the same underlying quality of construction.

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Exceptionally soft
Noticeably softer than traditional cotton towels, with a smooth, gentle feel against the skin from first use.
Substantial weight
A denser, more substantial towel that feels full in the hand, offering greater absorbency and a more grounded feel.
Naturally antibacterial
Bamboo fibre contains natural properties that resist bacterial growth and odour particularly beneficial in humid bathroom environments.
Highly absorbent
Despite its lightweight construction, bamboo cotton absorbs moisture effectively and releases it quickly during drying.
Caring for natural fibres

How to care for natural fibre bedding.

High-quality natural fibres reward proper care. The right washing and drying approach will preserve softness, structure and finish and help your bedding improve rather than degrade over time.

Washing temperature
Wash cotton bedding at 40°C or below. High temperatures cause fibres to break down and fabrics to shrink unevenly. For everyday laundering, 30–40°C cleans thoroughly without stressing the fabric.
Detergent
Use a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Avoid biological detergents with enzymes, bleach-based products and fabric softeners as softeners coat the fibres and reduce breathability over time.
Drying
Line dry in shade or use a low-heat tumble dry. Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods. Remove from the dryer slightly damp to reduce creasing and protect the fabric surface.
Ironing cotton sateen
Iron on a medium-hot setting while slightly damp. Cotton sateen responds beautifully to ironing bringing out the subtle sheen and restoring the smooth surface. Always iron on the reverse side.
Alpaca & wool care
Hand wash or use a delicate wool cycle at 30°C. Lay flat to dry away from direct heat. Do not wring or tumble dry. Store folded in a breathable cotton bag away from direct sunlight.
Bamboo cotton towels
Machine wash at 40°C with a mild detergent. Tumble dry on low or line dry. Avoid fabric softeners which reduce absorbency. Softness increases naturally with regular washing.
Common questions

Fabric questions answered.

The most common questions about the materials used in Flaxfield Linen bedding and towels.

Cotton sateen is a weave structure, not a fibre type. It uses a four-over, one-under weave pattern that produces a fabric with a smooth surface, subtle sheen and fluid drape. Flaxfield Linen uses long-staple cotton sateen woven at 400 thread count for all bedding collections.

Percale is a one-over, one-under weave that produces a crisp, cool, matte fabric with excellent breathability. It is the weave most associated with luxury hotel bedding. Percale sheets typically have a thread count of 200–300 and are particularly well suited to warm sleepers and hot Australian summers.

Sateen has a smooth, slightly lustrous surface and a soft drape — it feels silky and refined. Percale is crisp, matte and cool — it feels fresh and structured. Both are usually made from cotton; the difference is entirely in the weave structure.

Yes. Alpaca is naturally very low in lanolin — the protein that causes most wool-related skin reactions. This makes it suitable for people who find traditional wool irritating. Flaxfield alpaca throws are also naturally breathable, which helps prevent the overheating that can aggravate sensitive skin during sleep.

Long-staple cotton has fibres of 38 mm or longer. The longer fibres spin into finer, stronger yarns with fewer weak points, producing fabric that is smoother, more resistant to pilling and more durable over time. All Flaxfield Linen bedding uses long-staple cotton.

Bamboo cotton combines the softness and absorbency of cotton with the natural antibacterial properties and fast-drying qualities of bamboo fibre. The Turkish weave structure creates a lightweight, fast-drying towel that becomes softer with every wash.

Explore Flaxfield Linen

Materials chosen
for how they perform.

Every fabric we use is selected for breathability, durability and long-term comfort chosen to improve with use rather than degrade.