Let's go shopping for draperies, but before we get in the car, I'd like to arm you with a list of what to look for. Since durability and easy care are direct results of the fabric you choose, we should start with that.There are two kinds of fibers: natural and synthetic. Cotton, wool, linen and silk are the natural fibers with the first three being the most durable and the silk being the most delicate. The synthetics include acetate, polyester, nylon and rayon. In this category, all are quite durable and easy to clean. Each of these synthetics has a personality of its own that you might want to know about.
- ACETATE. Soft to the touch, has good draping qualities and excellent crease retention. It is nice to know that acetate also is sun, moth and mildew resistant.
- ACRYLIC: This fabric is wool-like to the touch. It resists wrinkles, mildew, moths and fire.
- NYLON: A very strong fabric that pleats well. This fabric is also wrinkle and sun resistant.
- POLYESTER: This one gets top rating in the easy care category as it washes and drip-dries well. It doesn't like wrinkles any more than the others and enjoys basking in the sun without worry of damage.
Thank goodness the boring details are done. Now to more interesting information. Unless you're very, very talented in the sewing department, buy from a professional. You have two choices: ready-made (as in department store catalogues) or custom-made. Both are good, though custom is better.The ready-mades are usually ready quickly and are a blessing to those on a tight budget. There are a great variety of fabric selections, colors and patterns, so shopping for them can be fun. These window treatments come in standard sizes, so if you have an odd-size window, you're sorry-out-of-luck. Are you a standard size window-type person? Well, let's see. Standard sizes are 63" long by 48", 72", or 96" wide per pair. They also make 84" long by 48", 72", 96" 122" and 144" wide per pair.
On the other hand, the sky's the limit with custom-made draperies. Your fabric selection is almost unlimited and your choice of drapery style is equally as boundless. But remember, you get what you pay for, so realize that all this luxury of choice is going to cost you.
Should you line your draperies? Depends. If it is a sheer or a casement, lining is usually not used because you take away the intent of the fabric. With most other fabrics, though, lining helps the drapery handle more smoothly and give more depth to the pleats. The lining also helps protect the fabric from sun damage. Natural fabrics should definitely be lined for that reason alone. One more point in favor of lining. It helps conserve energy. Okay, just one more point in favor of lining. You will have a consistent look from the outside of the house even if every drapery in the house is a different color/pattern on the inside.
