Choosing curtain fabric

Most of us have to work to a budget while at the same time trying to get the exact look we want for our curtains and soft furnishings. Here's a word of advice. Don't try and save on the amount of fabric you purchase just so you can purchase a more expensive choice.

It is much wiser to choose a less expensive fabric and be generous with your fabric quantites. I promise you the final effect will be much more successful.

At all times go for quality. You absolutely can find excellent quality at low prices. Why waste your time and money making up poor quality fabric, for an item that will soon look worn and lifeless after a short space of time. Within your budget remember that the cost of lining fabrics, sewing thread, curtain hooks, heading tape and other necessities soon add up.

Color, print and fibre. Take all three into account when trying to choose your fabric for your window treatment. The final look of the curtains largely depends on the fabric you use, not just the design you create. Silk, linen, chintz and damask are wonderful natural fibres and remain classically beautiful after many years of hanging at your window.

Don't forget to consider the following when choosing your fabric:

Weight

Is the curtain fabric heavy enough not to loose it's shape and look flimsy at the window, and is it light enough to fall into crisp, yet smooth flowing folds once it has been gathered? Choose your fabric weight carefully according to the look and style you want to achieve.

Generally, the lighter weight fabric you use, the more casual look you will achieve. A heavier fabric will give a richer, more formal look to your windows. Both can look elegant when successfully combined with complementary furnishings.

Once common mistake is to choose a fabric that is too heavy for your curtains, thinking that if you purchase a thicker, heavier fabric you will not need to line your curtains. Fabric that is too heavy, such as fabric intended for upholstery, will not fall properly into crisp folds when hung. It can look bulky and shapeless at your window. Gathering at the heading may also be difficult on heavy-weight fabric. A lined curtain of medium weight fabric will give you professional looking draperies and better insulation than one single layer of thick fabric.

Patterned fabric

Remember to take into account the measurement of the pattern repeat when deciding how much fabric you will need. Especially if you need to sew two or more widths of fabric together for a very wide window. Curtains made using fabrics with very bold patterns will look more professional when the pattern repeat matches when each drapery is drawn together.