Jacquard Fabric

Jacquard Fabric

Choosing Curtain Fabric - Eight Secrets you Need to Know

Stop! Learn eight important trade secrets from the professionals before you buy any fabric.

Good quality fabric is not cheap and once you have paid the curtain maker and fitter curtains can be quite an investment. To make sure you get the best curtains for your budget think about the following:

There are thousands of fabrics suitable for use in curtains but bear in mind the following when selecting fabric.

Opacity

Is the fabric thick enough to keep the morning sun out of your bedroom or will the curtain need to be interlined at extra expense? Test a large sample of a fabric by holding it up to the sun. If you are thinking of quilted silks or similar fabrics hold them up to a strong light to check for production flaws between the two outer fabric layers - trapped threads can show up as annoying shadows.

How much fabric do I need?

It is always advisable to get professional advice on the quantity of fabric required, particularly where the fabric requires a pattern match allowance. It is also important to allow for fabric (from the same batch) for pelmets, valances, tie backs and matching soft furnishings.

Pattern Match

Is pattern match critical? Make sure that you allow enough extra fabric to accommodate pattern matching? Also beware that jacquard fabrics are prone to significant variation in pattern repeat dimension between batches because the repeat depends upon the tension of the fabric on the loom.

Colour matching

It is always advisable to use fabric from one batch for a job to ensure consistent colouration. Also be aware that manufacturers tend not to guarantee that colours will exactly match between sample books, swatches and the delivered fabric.

Nowadays with internet ordering it is inadvisable to rely on on-screen representation of a fabric sample. Most screen images will not match the colour of the fabric, nor will they show the full pattern repeat and of course the computer monitor cannot yet render texture, sheen or patina! The best place to decide on fabric is in a fabric shop with professional advice and appropriate lighting. Here you can feel fabrics and compare options side by side.

Sizing

Sizing is most important for curtains that reach down to the floor. If they pool on the floor or only reach part way to the floor you do not need to worry too much about precision.

Full length curtains usually look best but obstructions under windows (e.g. radiators) are common. You can still have full length curtains even with radiators in place if you consider a curtain pole with extension brackets.

About the Author

Can I use sharpies over fabric paint on a hoodie I'm making?

I bought a blue hoodie at American Eagle, 60% cotton and 40% polyester. I'm painting little rectangles all over it with jacquard fabric paints. After they're dry, I wanna outline them in black and draw little black circles in them so that they look like lego bricks. can i use sharpie for the outline or do i have to use black fabric paint and a brush?

actually, permanent laundry markers would be a better bet than sharpies. if the fabric paint isn't too thick, then the laundry markers should outline pretty well. you may want to stop by a craft store and look at several different kinds to see what will fit your needs/other paints best.

Dani - Knitting Jacquard Fabric on Stoll Machine.