Springs works to help Lycra bounce back

By Michele SanFilippo -- Home Textiles Today, 3/22/2004 12:00:00 AM

FT. MILL, S.C. —

Springs Industries is resuscitating the Lycra sheet, which debuted at the New York Home Textiles Market in spring 2003 under license to Pillowtex, but never made it off the launch pad and into retail.

According to Tim Landers, senior merchandise manager at Springs, "One of the things we really like about this sheet is that it can fit 15-to-18-inch mattresses. Plus, since the Lycra is encased in the cotton, you only get the feel and breathability of the cotton in the sheet."

Invista's Lycra spandex fiber gives the sheet and pillowcase a 20 percent stretch. According to research conducted by Invista, the marketer of Lycra, more than 75 percent of consumers look for sheets that will fit deeper mattresses.

"The beauty of Lycra is that it provides superior recovery and shape retention," said Angelica Larranaga, Invista account manager for North America-bedding textiles.

The sheet will feature a palette of 10 colors: white, ivory, banana, nectar, pesto, sandstone, tide, adobe, rain and orchid.

The Lycra construction will be sold as sets under the Wamsutta brand. The program targets department and specialty stores, and is expected to launch at retail in the fall. Springs said it has not yet set price points.