Fabrics

Satins and Jacquards

Usually the most formal and traditional, they are generally made from tightly woven, heavy, soft material, which hangs straight from top to bottom in (formal) folds.

Casements, Open Weaves

These have a lighter, more casual feel. They are usually made from loosely woven, textured yarns that hang in looser folds than the formal satins and Jacquards.

Sheers

Made of soft, see-through fabrics, sheers are appropriate in most decors. Light and airy, they are sometimes used in combination with heavier draperies in more formal settings. They are billowy unless weighted, and can be made to drape quite well.

Prints

Suitable in most decors, prints are made from a light, tightly woven fabric, usually cotton or cotton-polyester blends.

Drapery Linings

Linings add substantially to the luxurious appearance necessary for good window treatments, and also provide a fuller pleated look for maintaining a soft drapable hand.The lined-look provides uniformity to the exterior appearance of a home while allowing a broad choice of textures, weaves, colors and patterns for the interior. The combination of sunlight and air pollution will eventually take its toll on all colors. There is
no such thing as an absolutely colorfast material or dye. Some colors, however will show fading more dramatically than others. Bright colors tend to
show fading more than subdued tones, and solids before prints.Linings help draperies last longer. They afford some protection against sun and fading. They also protect the draperies from water stains – either from condensation on the inside of the window or from a sudden shower.Insulated linings contribute to energy conservation, keeping homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Cotton

Drapability: Excellent hang, soft hand

Color fastness: Good, vat dyes best

Sun resistance: Excellent, does not sun rot

Abrasion resistance: Excellent

Sagging: Does not stretch, except when wet

Resiliency: Poor, packs easily, wrinkles easily, very absorbent, burns

Care: Wash or dry clean and iron at high temperature, Cotton generally wears excellently in drapery (print or plains).

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Linen or flax

Drapability: Good hang, but not as soft as cotton

Color fastness: Good to poor, prints do not hold their color as well as plain fabrics

Sun resistance: Excellent, does not sun rot

Abrasion resistance: Excellent

Sagging: Strong, does not stretch

Resiliency: Poor, packs badly, does wrinkle

Care: Dry clean and iron at high temperature Linens are excellent in plain and case

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Silk

Drapability: Good hang, medium to soft hand

Color fastness: Good

Sun resistance: Poor, rots in short time, lining helps

Abrasion resistance: Good

Sagging: Strong, does not sag

Resiliency: Good, does not pack badly

Care: Dry clean and iron at medium temperature. Little silk is used in drapery today. This is due to sun rot and cost.

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Wool

There is virtually none used in drapery fabric.

Rayon

Drapability: Good hang, soft hand

Color fastness: Good to excellent (solution dyed)

Sun resistance: Good, but not as good as cotton or linen

Abrasion resistance: Good, but not as good as nylon or cotton

Sagging: Poor, stretches in loose yarns, but OK in tight woven fabrics

Resiliency: Good, does not pack, wrinkles less than cotton or linen

Care: Dry clean and iron at medium temperature. Rayon is blended with other fibers (cotton,acetate and linen).

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Acetate

Drapability: Good hand, soft hand

Color fastness: Good (solution dyed)

Sun resistance: Good, not as good as cotton and Iinen

Abrasion resistance: Good, but not as good as cotton or nylon

Sagging: Poor stretches in loose yarns, but OK in, tight woven fabrics

Resiliency: Good, does not pack, wrinkles less than cotton or linen

Care: Dry clean and iron at low temperature. Blends well with other fibers, rayon and nylon.

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Polyester

Drapability: Excellent hang, very soft hand

Color fastness: Good to excellent

Sun resistance: Excellent

Abrasion resistance: Good, sheers must be handled with care. Fabric can be bruised.

Sagging: Excellent, does not stretch or shrink.

Resiliency: Good to excellent. Does not pack, and wrinkle free.

Care: Wash or dry clean and iron at low temperature. Polyester is an excellent fabric for most drapery applications. It blends well with other fibers. In polyester cotton blends, cotton wrinkles less.

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Nylon

Drapability: Good, soft to stiff hand, not as soft as polyesters

Color fastness: Good to excellent

Sun resistance: Poor

Abrasion resistance: Excellent

Sagging: Excellent, does not sag

Resiliency: Excellent, does not pack, wrinkle free

Care: Dry clean and iron at low temperature. Nylon is not widely used in drapery fabric.

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Acrylic

Drapability: Excellent, very soft hand

Color fastness: Excellent, if solution dyed

Sun resistance: Excellent, good as cotton or linen

Abrasion resistance: Good

Sagging: Very good, does not stretch

Resiliency: Very good, does not pack and wrinkle free

Care: Dry clean and iron at low temperature 50′. Acrylic fabrics hang well and do not sag. Can be blended with polyester. Modacrylics are flameproof.

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Dynel

Drapability: Excellent, soft hand likes acrylic

Color fastness: Excellent

Sun resistance: Good to excellent

Abrasion resistance: Excellent

Sagging: Excellent compared to rayon or acetate

Resiliency: Very good, does not pack, wrinkle free, low flammability

Care: Wash only, ironing does not affect it much, use low heat