What type of fabric are curtains made of?

Answer 1

Good curtains should always be well made. Professional curtains are always hand finished and will last longer and look better than poorly made ones or those entirely made by machine. Compare a drawer made with glued dove tail joints and one that is held together just with nails. They will both serve as drawers but of course the dovetailed one will last longer and be more aesthetically pleasing. Obviously dove tailed joints take longer to make and require more skill. Likewise with curtains, for a professional job stitching needs to be done correctly and with the correct type of thread. It is the internal work that is not seen that is important as it will ultimately show in the way they drape and how long they last. Lining needs to be held in place not just at each side but also at other points within the body of the curtain so that the fabrics are held together and are not just flapping about independently.

Hand finished curtains have seams that are machine stitched but pretty much everything else is done by hand (side and bottom hems). Headings are made with buckram (a type of stiffening) which is also gathered up and sewn by hand. This gives sharp pleats below which flow structured waves. The alternative is the taped heading which is stitched on by machine and then gathered up by pulling on cords. Taped headings never give neat, sharp pleats and structure like those that are hand pleated. The finish is rather more messy and imprecise. Another type of heading is the eyelet. Curtains with metal rings can be threaded onto a pole to create a modern, minimalist look. For the best finish, longevity and drape the metal eyelets should be punched into the heading with a special machine. There are tapes that can be purchased that try to achieve the same effect but these are very much for DIY-ers and do not give nearly as professional a finish.

There are many linings on the market today in different price bands. The cheaper linings will tend to have a low thread count (threads per square inch) and be treated with a chemical like a starch that makes it stiffer and feel, initially, to have good 'body'. This quickly breaks down under sunlight and weakens the fabric and its ability to protect. More expensive linings are not treated in this way and not only feel more substantial but will protect your curtain fabric from damage by the sun and dirt. The best lining is called cotton 'sateen' or 'solprufe' and it comes in various qualities. The better the quality, the higher the protection, the longer they'll last. If you need blackout curtains there are many different qualities of blackout linings. They all do the job of keeping out the light but some are softer than others or have a more 'cottony' feel. The softer ones are more expensive but they will help your curtains drape better. Some flowing fabrics like silk or velvet will be stiffened if combined with blackout lining and so lose their softness. The degree to which this occurs is dictated by the handle of the lining.

As with many things you pay for what you get. Quality made to measure curtains are not cheap nor should they be. Good tradespeople take pride in their jobs and take care to do them professionally. Curtain makers are no exception. It will always take more time and effort to do a professional job and for this they should be paid fairly. Well made curtains are an investment. Consider how often you change them? Too many people regard curtains as justwindow coverings. Remember that they cover large expanses of a wall and up to a quarter of a room! Well made curtains are not only practical but add a signature of quality.

Answer 2

silk

Answer 3

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