There's more to shopping for curtain fabric than seeking out the
perfect print of the weave those complements the color scheme to
perfection. Furnishing fabrics are not all suitable for every
situation. With the wide range of weaves and weighs of cloth
available, make sure the one you buy will do the job you have in
mind. The two most important factors to bear in mind when
looking for curtain fabric are resistance to fading and the
weight of the fabric.
Light resistance curtains, being so close to windows, take a lot
of punishment from sunlight. Make sure to close fabrics that are
resistant to fading and rotting by the sun's rays, particularly
for rooms which get the sun throughout most of the day. Look at
the weight and quality of the fabric. In general, all but the
lightest curtains are worth lining, and even some of the thinner
softer cloths, which drape well look very limp unless they are
lined.
The after-care of made-up curtains also needs some though when
choosing fabric. Unless a fabric is labeled and sold as
pre-shrunk of fixed-finished, shrinkage have between five and
six per cent is considered normal. Fabric needs to be flexible
enough to roll around a wooden dowel. All medium-weight fabrics
can be used, but look for tightly woven cottons for really
reliable results. If curtains are going to need regular washing
it is sensible either to pre-wash the fabric, lining and tape,
or to make curtain with detachable linings.
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