Consumer F.A.Q.

Is MATTEO an Italian company?

MATTEO is an American company. Our corporate offices are located in Downtown Los Angeles. We import our fabrics from the finest suppliers all over the world and manufacture the finished products here in LA.

Which credit cards does MATTEO accept?

MATTEO accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Which shipping courier does MATTEO use?

MATTEO uses FedEx to ship all of our merchandise. Transit time is usually about 5 days.

Please note: FedEx requires Direct Signature on orders over $500. If your order (before tax and shipping) is $500 or more, you (not a family member or neighbor) must be present to sign for your package, otherwise FedEx will not complete the delivery.

How long will it take for MATTEO to ship my order?

If the fabric is in stock, your order will ship within 3 weeks of the date your purchase-order is confirmed. If the fabric is not in stock, your order will ship as soon as possible from the back order date when we receive the fabric.

Does MATTEO ship internationally?

Yes, we are able to ship orders internationally! We ship all international orders using FedEx International. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout and are based on estimated weight and quantity of the items ordered. We DO NOT cover duty charges due on international shipments.

What is the difference between linen and cotton?

At MATTEO we proudly use beautiful, natural fibers for our fabric. Linen and cotton both come from plants that have been used in traditional fabric-making for centuries. Cotton is found in the seed pod of a cotton plant. It is soft, durable, and breathable. Even stronger and more lustrous than cotton, linen is made from the fibers found in the stalk of the flax plant. Linen fabrics are very cool and absorbent. Natural fibers tend to wrinkle easily because they do not have the artificial elastic properties of synthetic materials.

Are MATTEO fabrics preshrunk?

No, MATTEO fabrics are preshrunk. However, there may be minimal shrinkage (1-2%) after the first home washing .

What type of cotton does MATTEO use?

At MATTEO we insist that our mills only use the finest extra-long staple combed cotton in the world.

What is the difference between Pima and Egyptian cotton?

The quality of cotton is determined by the “staple” of the plant, which is the natural length of the fiber when picked. Pima cotton is grown in California and Texas and is usually not as long-stapled as Egyptian cotton. This is why Egyptian cotton is finer quality and more desirable.

What is the difference between a Percale and a Sateen sheet?

The only difference between percale and sateen fabrics is the way they are woven. "Percale" fabric uses a basket weave. A basket weave interlaces threads at a ratio of 1 to 1 giving it a matte finish. The weave of "sateen" fabric interlaces the thread at a ratio of 3 to 1 (for cotton sheeting) so that the face of the fabric is covered by the warp yarn making the twill line indistinguishable. This gives the fabric a smooth, satin-like finish.

Is thread count important in choosing sheeting?

The most important factor in fine fabric is the quality of the cotton that is used in weaving. Finer cotton has longer plant fibers, or “staple.” With a longer staple the diameter of the thread can be made smaller. Finer threads can be woven closer together for more threads per inch; this is known as a higher thread count. All of these elements make the fabric more durable and light weight.

What thread counts does MATTEO offer?

MATTEO offers four different thread counts:

1. 600TC Sateen (Sei)
2. 400TC Percale (Tru)
3. 300TC Sateen (Washed Sateen)
4. 225TC Percale (Nap)

Can I use bleach when washing MATTEO products?

We recommend using light bleach only on our white cotton products.

Do I have to have my MATTEO products dry-cleaned?

At MATTEO we make most of our products from natural materials like cotton and linen that do not require dry-cleaning. All MATTEO products are carefully labeled with washing instructions to help you take the best care of your product.

Do MATTEO sheets wrinkle?

Most MATTEO products are made from the finest natural materials like cotton and linen that will wrinkle naturally because they do not have the artificial elasticity of synthetic fabrics. We recommend removing your MATTEO products promptly from the dryer which makes a big difference. Over-drying produces over-wrinkling.

Will MATTEO colors fade?

MATTEO dyes its fabrics using REACTIVE dyes. With care and appropriate washing rituals, MATTEO colors will last a long time. MATTEO uses VAT dyed polyester threads, which are resistant to bleach and have far superior longevity to pigment and reactive dyes. VAT dyes form a chemical bond with the fiber rather than a physical bond, which breaks down over time.

What is the difference between a bedspread and a coverlet?

The purpose of both bedspread and coverlet is to protect the slept-on elements of the bed from dust as well as to provide warmth. A coverlet functions like a blanket or a large throw. A bedspread is an oversized coverlet which includes a flap to cover the pillows.

How do I measure the drop for a bedspread?

Measure the length from the top of the corner of the mattress to the floor. It is important that you do not guess - the heights of platform beds and box springs vary widely, and luxury mattresses can range from 8" thick viscoelastic memory foam to 20" thick pillow tops. If you are waiting for your new bed or mattress to arrive, ask your sales person to measure the actual corner height of the mattress. Because of the way mattresses are shaped, a mattress that is

20" at the crown (middle) is may only measure 17" at the corner. Examine the bedspread construction you are choosing - a "fitted" version should probably stop an inch above the floor, so subtract one inch from your measurement. A looser "tablecloth" version should reach all the way to the floor and puddle slightly at the corners.

Why does MATTEO prefer zippers on duvet and comforter covers?

We designed our duvets covers with zippers for sleek, neat appearance and added durability. We also prefer a zipper because it is much faster and easier to use than buttons.

What is your best selling fabric?

Vintage Linen is our best selling fabric. It is available in all MATTEO colors.

What is the difference between a sham and a pillowcase?

Shams and pillowcases are both used to protect pillow inserts, but there are a wide variety of constructions. Even more confusing, the “Oxford pillowcase” in England is the same construction as a “standard flanged sham” in the United States. Typically, pillowcases loosely encase the pillow and are open on the side, whereas shams are more fitted and employ some method of closure to keep the pillow in place. At MATTEO, we always offer shams as well as pillowcases in our fine sheeting, but for our top-of -bed textiles we only offer shams because of their more decorative function in the United States. Our shams range from the classic voluminous flanged sham to modern designs edged with sleek piping closed with an invisible zipper.

Which size pillowcase should I buy?

MATTEO makes 2 sizes of pillowcases: a queen pillowcase to fit a standard (20” x 26”) and queen pillow (20” x 30”) and a king pillowcase to fit a king pillow (20” x 36”). Our smaller pillowcase will be slightly long on a standard pillow, but will keep either a standard or queen-sized pillow fully protected.

Does a decorative pillow include an insert?

Yes, our decorative pillows come with a pillow insert included.

Why does MATTEO make bed-panels instead of bed-skirts?

A bed-panel comes in 3 separate pieces that pin into the top of the box spring. This way the drop can be adjusted from as short as 5” to as long as 20”. This also allows you to easily attach or remove the bed-panel without having to remove the mattress.

How do you install the bed panel?

MATTEO bed panels have been designed for ease of installation and care. The 3 separate panels (2 side panels and 1 side narrower foot panel) are attached to the box spring with 8 twist pins (provided).

How do you install a box spring cover?

Our box spring cover has a Velcro-tabbed opening that allows for a snug fit. It comes with a strong elastic band to put around each corner to accommodate even the thickest box spring.

What is the difference between regular King (or Eastern King) and California King mattress?

A regular King mattress is 78” x 80” while a California King is slightly narrower and longer at 72” x 84”. This mattress was invented by California mattress manufactures in order to make it more difficult for the big, East Coast mattress companies to compete for their business. It has nothing to do with the fact that people may or may not be skinnier and taller in California.

What is the purpose of the flat felled seams in the corners of the fitted sheets?

By enclosing and sewing down the seams in the corner, MATTEO protects the weaker edges of the fabric where threads can be loosened reinforcing the corners that receive the highest wear. This is the same kind of seam you often find in denim jeans and athletic clothing, for the same reason.

MATTEO sheets are supposed to fit a 20" mattress. Why isn't the seam in the corner of the fitted sheet 20" long?

The depth of the sheet is actually measured from the center of the mattress to the bottom of the corner, not from the top of the corner to the bottom of the corner. Using shorter seams lets us bring our corners off the top of the mattress creating a uniformly clean and smooth appearance, without compromising the depth.

Does MATTEO make special size/custom color products?

MATTEO will make special size products if you meet the minimum order of $10,000 AND 100 pieces in that size or color.

Are MATTEO fabrics available by the yard?

Yes, all the fabrics are available by linear yard. Please see fabric price lists for correct pricing. Fabric is cut and sold in 3 linear yard pieces (listed price is for 1 yard).

How do I know if a certain fabric is in stock?

We normally stock 95% of our fabrics, so occasionally some fabrics will be out of stock. E-mail our sales department at sales@matteola.com before placing your order to find out if your fabric is available.