Whether you are planning to make country style curtains or formal regimented curtains, floor cushions or regal bolster cushions, the fabric you choose will play an important role in the finished look of final creations. Colour and pattern are the obviously important characteristics of a fabric but this is only one part of the equation. A fabrics fibre content, weave and weight, opacity and finish also need to be considered when making the choice. Also undeerstanding its characteristics will help you select a fabric that is suitable for its intended purpose.

Fabric composition

Historically curtains were had from natural fabrics and these fabrics still remain very popular today. Today advances in technology mean that some synthetic fabrics look and feel almost the same as natural fabric. They are however stronger and less like to fade than the fabrics made using natural fibres. Many fabrics have become available that are a mix of natural fibres and synthetic fibres creating a product that has a natural feel but is durable and useable.

Since the fibre content does effect the useability of your fabric it is well worth considering during the purchase process.

Natural fibre fabrics

Cotton : Cotton drapes well and is quite resistant to fading and deterioration.

Linen : Linen fabrics hang very well but can crease easily (creases can be pressed out with steam). They are resistant to fading but must always be dry cleaned.

Wool : Wool fabrics are rarer in soft furnishings but are durable and hang very well. They need to be dry cleaned and are prone to moth damage.

Silk : Silk fabrics are lustrous and hang beautifully the are however fragile and can be prone to sunlight damage. Silk should be dry cleaned.

Synthetic fibre fabrics

Rayon : Rayon fabrics hang well and are quite resistant to fading and deterioration. They are normally washable but can stretch

Polyester : Polyester fabrics are crease resistant and are quite resistant to fading and deterioration. They are normally washable.

Nylon : Nylon fabrics are quite resistant to fading and deterioration. They are normally washable. They do tend to build up static and will melt in direct heat

Modacrylic : Modacrylic fabrics hang well are very resistant to fading and deterioration. They are flame resistant and are washable

Acrylic : Acrylic fabrics hang well and are quite resistant to fading and deterioration. They are normally washable but can stretch. Crease need to be pressed out.

Acetates: Acetate fabrics hang well and are quite resistant to fading and deterioration. They normally need to be dry cleaned.

Working with patterns

Patterns can be printed onto a fabric, woven into it or embroidered onto the fabric. Some fabrics incorporate patterns made up of all these techniques.

When choosing a patterned fabric, its is very important to be aware of the pattern repeat when calculating how much fabric is require. (we have a helpful fabric calculating tool here). The fabric repeat is the size of the basic size of the pattern, from top to bottom. When matching a pattern note that they begin and end at the selvage.

It is important to choose a fabric with a pattern repeat that is appropriate to the scale of the curtains you are creating. Small patterns can produce the effect of texture rather than pattern. Large patterns will command attention but also make the space look smaller. Pattern direction is another factor in choosing a design. Most patterns run parallel down the length of the fabric. Some patterns are non directional and appear to be random. Although appearing random they will still have a pattern repeat.

Common weaves

Along with the different fibres and yarns, the weave of the fabric can vary. The type of loom along with the type of fibre determine the fabric weight and characteristics. The yarns or threads of a fabric are organized as warp yarns, which run vertical and weft yards which run horizontally and carry the weight of the fabric.

Basket weave : Two or more warp yarns crossing two or more weft yarns in a consistent fashion resembling a woven basket.

Dobby weave : A decorative weave with a small design woven into the structure.

Jacquard weave : Any fabric woven on a jacquard loom

Leno weave : A fabric with warp yarns organised in pairs, one yarn is twisted around the other between picks in the weft yarns.

Pile weave : Fabric woven with a looped pile that is either cut, as in velvet or uncut as in terry cloth.

Plain weave : The simplest of weaves with each weft thread crossing over one warp thread, then under the next and so on.

Rib weave : A plain weave with heavy threads either in the warp direction or the weft direction

Twill weave : Similar to a plain weave except that the warp yarns skip to create diagonal ribs in the weave.