Choosing the Best Fabric
When choosing bedroom curtains, start with material—cotton is the most common option. "Cotton is light, breathable, and easy to care for," says Emery. Opt for a machine-washable fabric if you prefer convenience. However, if you want a luxury vibe, consider a heavier, more sumptuous fabric.
Cotton is soft and breathable, but it's also an insulator. It can have a denser weave than linen, making it slightly warmer. In the winter, consider switching to a heavy cotton curtain to help prevent drafts while adding style and texture to the room.
Benefits of linen curtains
There is a crisp, clean appeal to linen, whether you go for a dyed fabric or the natural linen colour. It makes a room appear a lot brighter while still offering privacy. The natural weave also lets in plenty of fresh air when you have the curtains closed but window open.
Sheer curtains offer little during the day and almost none at night. The moment the sun goes down and lights come on inside the house, sheer curtains can completely expose you to outsiders. Semi-sheers are less translucent and their weave is denser.
Your best option is 100% linen or linen blended with rayon. These are much more durable fabrics that are resistant to wrinkling and won't fade as easily.
Polyester, a synthetic, is a warmer fabric, is more stretchy, and holds colors better. However, linen, made from the natural fibers of the flax plant, is significantly more environmentally friendly, especially when grown organically, making linen a better choice for long-term sustainability.
Yes linen will shrink naturally after its first wash. The average is around 4% shrinkage for pure linen. To prevent changes to the shape and size of clothing and textiles, many companies sell pre washed linen fabric. Thanks to this initial wash, the fabric will only have minimal shrinking when it's next washed.
Lightweight Fabric- Lightweight fabrics, like lace, sheer cotton and linen, are very good choices for curtains. Consider the decoration of your home and the amount of light that comes through your windows if you are selecting lightweight fabric for sewing your curtain.
You may not need to line drapery weight cotton fabric, though lining can add to its strength and durability, and looks. Canvas. Canvas is a strong, durable, tightly-woven cotton fabric that is a staple fabric for home decor and utility. Not only does it look good, but it's also great for blocking light.
How High to Hang Curtains. A rule of thumb (from Architectural Digest) is that curtains should be hung between four to six inches above the window frame, so install your curtain rod accordingly. When you hang the curtain rod high, it will make the window appear taller.
It is always a good idea to match your curtain color with home decor pieces. A double layer of one sheer and one blackout is a classic and functional choice. If you are looking for minimal and modern style, pick a color that is close to you wall color or a slightly darker shade.
The most common types of curtain fabric are cotton, silk, linen, polyester, velvet, acrylic, rayon, brocade, lace and voile.
Sheers are a must in 2020
Not only do sheer curtains look elegant but they also offer a light breezy feel and are perfect for living rooms, bedrooms and kitchen windows. Curtains crafted of sheer fabric can be used separately or behind heavier drapes for an appealing view.
Although you can wash all pure linen dresses, tunics, trousers and shirts in a washing machine, other materials used for stitching, trim or lining may need to be dry cleaned, or you might need to hand wash them.
If you're short on time, a quicker way to do unshrink fabric is to fill a spray bottle with lukewarm water to dampen the linen. Doing this keeps you from having to place the fabric in water for 10 minutes and then wait on it to air dry. Just dampen the fabric, then iron it using the same steps above.
The answer is yes. You can unshrink them in the same way that you would unshrink adult clothes. Fill a sink up with warm water and add a tablespoon of baby shampoo. Leave the clothes to soak for half an hour, then wring out the excess water and start stretching out the fabric gently evenly all around the garment.
Texture and Feel. One good standard for linen quality is the tightness of the weave. Tighter weaves mean the texture is even and smooth, with fewer “pores” or gaps in between. Tighter weaves are almost always the defining mark of higher thread count linens, and therefore feel softer with less snag to the skin.
There are four main types of linen fabric that differ based on the weaving technique used: Damask linen: the most delicate variety which is similar to embroidery. Plain-woven linen: a hardier variety often used in towels and dish towels. Loosely woven linen: an absorbent but less durable option used for napkins.
Faux linen, literally, means fake linen, and it refers to the fabric of the shirt. In the case of this shirt, real linen is not actually used; instead, a mix of materials, 68% Cotton and 32% Polyester for this shirt, is used to make the shirt seem as if it is made of real linen.
Linen is more resistant to heat and can comfortably be ironed, restoring your curtains to their most tidy appearance. The softer and sheer linen is particularly suited to windows that are frequently opened, as they can blow gently in the breeze.
For the winter months, you will want to stay away from those thinner fabrics like linen or lace and any kind of sheer material. These fabrics allow for air flow through the material and will certainly not help to keep the cold air out in the wintertime.