According to National Geographic, the first known mattress dates back to around 77,000 years ago. It was discovered in South Africa in 2011 and was made of reeds and rushes. Researchers believe that a ‘top sheet’ made of insect-repelling greenery was used to help ward off the unwanted night-time visitors.
Tencel sheets are made from eucalyptus fibers, prized for their silky smooth texture and moisture-wicking properties.
Usually a flat bed sheet is overlocked around the edges to form four seams. One of the seams is wider than the other three and helps with orienting the sheet correctly on the mattress. The wider seam goes at the head end of the mattress. Sometimes the sides do not have seams, but are finished with the selvedge only. When one makes a bed, the patterned or monogrammed side of the top sheet may be placed facing up, or facing down, in which case the top edge may be folded towards the foot of the bed to expose the design.