There are a number of fabrics that are commonly used to makecurtains and drapes. The fibres that are used to manufacture the materialdetermine how well it will wear and wash and how well it will hang at yourwindow or door. The yarns used to construct the fabric can be man-made oranimal or vegetable in origin.
One of the most useful fabrics in the interior designer'sresource toolbox is cotton. It is a vegetable fibre and in it's simplest formit is known as calico. This is a medium weight cotton that is unbleached andplain woven. It is relatively cheap and has a matt finish so it can be usedextravagantly to create window treatments that are dramatic and strong. Itshould be noted, however, that cotton tends to shrink so it is well worthwashing your cotton fabric before you make your curtains. Another natural andbasic cotton material is muslin. This is a very fine and loosely woven form ofcotton. Like calico it is relatively cheap and can be used extravagantly tocreate lavish and unusual decorative window dressings.
Gingham is another lightweight cotton fabric that is woveninto a checked pattern using threads of two different colors. It has been apopular fabric in the kitchen for many years and is now moving from itstraditional location into other areas of the home, the sitting room, the diningroom and even the bedroom. Madras cotton can create a more sophisticated look.This fabric consists of checks woven from many different colors and is oftenemployed as a counterpoint to patterned or plain materials.
Glazed cotton, also known as Chintz, has been popular for avery long time. It derives its name from Indian chintz prints that werefinished with a glaze. It has a shiny, attractive finish that is suitable forcurtains in any room. Chintz is constructed from a fairly lightweight cottonbut it is woven tightly to ensure that it takes glazing and dyes very well.There are two different glazing standards, heavy and light each with their owndistinct properties. The heavy glazing gives a crisp shiny effect whilst thelighter glazing gives a soft sheen.
Easy care cotton, as the name suggests, is easier to carefor than standard cotton. It is cotton that has been given an easy-carepolished finish. It is silky and soft to the touch and washes and drapes verywell indeed. It is much easier to care for than other forms of cotton curtainsand drapes.
Satin curtains are made from pure silk, which is relativelyexpensive. This led to the development of cotton satin which is a more practical and cheaper alternative to satin. It is closely woven and has a very soft sheen, notunlike silk surprisingly. It is hard wearing and available in differentqualities and weights. A heavy version will make fantastic curtains that willlook elegant and sophisticated in any suitable room.
Whichever form of cotton you decide to use for your curtainsand drapes it will not let you down
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