Sheers are back!
Sheers are back! They’re versatile and provide a multitude of benefits. In this post, I share why you should consider sheer window treatments in your home.
Silhouette sheer shadings; Source: Hunter Douglas
You might think that sheers are only for traditional homes or that they’re outdated, but they are definitely back in style, thanks in large part to the return to more traditional window treatments.
Sheer window treatments are unlined and made from lightweight fabrics to make the curtains or shades translucent. They are a simple, stylish way to upgrade your home, and they work well with any design style, from modern to traditional to anywhere in between.
Today, I'm sharing more about sheers, which can enhance any home without overpowering the intended look and feel of the space.
London shade; Source: Red River Interiors
Benefits of sheer window treatments
You’ll appreciate the many benefits and versatility sheers have to offer.
They add softness to any room
Sheers create a delicate look, giving the room a gauzy, breezy feeling. The way they soften a space makes the room feel cozier and more welcoming. Sheers also greatly enhance the ambiance by softening the incoming light and framing the windows.
Sheers diffuse light without blocking your views
Sheer window treatments allow soft light to enter a room. This creates a dreamy, airy atmosphere that maximizes the natural light while allowing you to still appreciate the views outside the window. The soft natural light that streams through the window can make the room feel bigger, brighter, and more comfortable.
Sheer window treatments offer UV protection
Because sheers diffuse sunlight, they act as a protective barrier between your home’s interior and damaging UV rays. They filter out the full force of harsh sunlight, so your paint, flooring, furniture, and decor will last longer. This can also help keep your rooms cooler in the summer because you're not experiencing the full force of the sun's heat.
They can reduce dust
Blinds and shutters have surfaces that can gather dust. That dust can then spread throughout your room. But with sheers, there is no surface for dust to collect.
Types & styles of sheers
Sheer Austrian shades
When you think about sheers, you might assume curtains are your only option. But sheers now come in an extensive range of products to fit any room and design style.
Sheer curtains
Sheer curtains are a classic choice and can be fully customized. You can choose for them to be pleated, gathered, or have a ripplefold style.
There are also endless fabric options for your sheer curtains. Sheer materials are so thin that you can see through them, and a few of the most common options include:
Cotton and linen: These fabrics are soft and durable and can give a natural feel and look to your space.
Polyester: The most durable fabric for sheers. It’s stain-resistant and can be cleaned easily. It comes in different weaves and textures, from soft and thin voile to thicker, “nubbier” casement fabrics.
Lace and embroidered sheers: These can really add a decorative touch by creating visual interest and texture to your sheer curtains or shades.
Sheer shades
If you want the benefits of sheers but don’t want curtains, you can choose from many sheer shade options. Sheer shades combine the structure of more traditional shades with the softness of sheer fabrics.
Roman shades; Source: Magnolia Lane Soft Home Furnishings
Some of my favorite custom sheer shades include Austrian or London shades and relaxed Roman shades, but we can also provide custom light filtering roller shades like these from Arlington Shade by Pinnacle from United Supply and other specialized products from companies like Hunter Douglas and Lafayette.
Source: United Supply Company
Luminette® by Hunter Douglas: Luminette panels are vertical sheers that combine the beauty of sheers with the privacy of soft draperies.
Silhouette® by Hunter Douglas: These shades feature uniquely shaped S-vanes and are available in a wide range of beautiful sheer fabrics.
Pirouette® by Hunter Douglas: Pirouette shades are made of soft, horizontal fabric vanes attached to sheer backing to give you excellent light control.
Tenera® by Lafayette: These shades offer exceptional UV protection and can be customized to fit any size or shape window.
Source: Layfette Interior Fashions
Things to consider when choosing sheers
While sheers look fantastic in any style of home, they might not fit into your lifestyle on their own. Thankfully, you can usually still include sheer window treatments by making a few adjustments and choosing the right fabric.
Pirouette sheer shades; Source: Hunter Douglas
Do you have pets?
If you have pets, they might damage long sheer curtains. Cats might play or climb your curtains, and dogs might rub on or lay up against them. Sheer shades may mitigate these potential issues.
Is there a vent near the window where the sheers will be installed?
Because sheers are unlined, they are incredibly lightweight and may billow if they are too close to a vent. If that’s the case, you can still get the softness and benefits of sheers by opting for sheer shades instead of sheer curtains or choosing a durable material that’s easy to clean.
Will the sheers be exposed to high humidity?
In the case of linen sheers, the humidity in the environment can sometimes cause the linen to stretch considerably causing a hem that once skimmed the floor upon installation to drag the floor 2” a month later.
Is there a need for privacy?
If the space calls for privacy, you might need another layer of window treatments over the sheers. An excellent choice is to pair sheers with draperies in front of them or shades underneath that can be closed for more privacy.
Luminette privacy sheers; Source: Hunter Douglas
If you want to brighten your home, add a layer of softness to your next design project, refresh your curtains, or add instant style to your space, contact me today!
Why are Roman shades and other soft shades so expensive?
When deciding which window treatments to install in your home, the cost may be a significant factor. Custom Roman shades and other styles of soft shades (like London shades, balloon shades, and Austrian shades) tend to be more expensive than other types, like roller shades. Just because they tend to cost more doesn’t mean they’re unattainable. There can be a wide range in price based on the size of the window treatment, trim, fabric, and more.
Today, I’ll share why Roman shades and other soft shades are so expensive and tips for keeping the price down to fit in your budget.
Factors that determine the price
Here are just a few of the elements that dictate the final cost of Roman shades and other soft shades.
Fabric & trim
There are countless fabric options available - from sheer, cotton, linen, or polyester blends to velvet and upholstery fabrics. Some materials just don’t work well as soft shades, but I have the knowledge and experience to recommend appropriate fabrics for your project.
If you’re trying to keep the cost down, you may choose a basic, lightweight cotton fabric because they tend to be less costly than natural linen, silk, velvet, or upholstery fabrics. It’s also important to remember that materials with a design (like a floral or geometric) usually require extra fabric for pattern matching, which can drive up the cost.
Workroom: R Garner Custom Designs
Designer: Cory Connor Designs
Besides choosing the fabric, you can customize your Roman shades with trim, like a fringe or flat banding at the bottom hem. Banding can also be placed along the side hems or mitered and stitched on both the sides and bottom hem. Adding trim details will add to the overall cost, but a beautiful trim can really enhance the look of your shade and create a truly one-of-a-kind design.
Read also: What Interior Designers Should Know About Difficult Fabrics for Window Treatments
Lining, interlining, & fabrication supplies
Unless you want a sheer, see-through shade, I’ll always sew a lining to the back of the Roman shade to create a finished look and give you more light control. There are several types of lining that can affect the final price of your window treatments.
You can choose a basic cotton lining if you want some light to come through the window treatment. Keep in mind, though, that shadows of any inner ribs and pull strings will show through. Because of this, I typically use blackout lining on the backs of most of the soft shades I make. Blackout lining is a little more expensive than basic lining, but it will protect your nice shade fabric from the sun's harsh ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light will fade and damage your material, so blackout lining is worth the extra expense.
Except for sheer shades, I also add an inner lining (called interlining) to all of my Roman shades. The interlining is flannel and has rib pockets to house thin fiberglass ribs.
Roman shades and other soft shades also have a weight bar, shade rings, and ring locks from Safe-T-Shade. These ring locks prevent dangerous loops from forming in the lift cord.
Style
There are many different types of soft shades, such as flat-style shades like flat-fold Roman shades (also called waterfall shades). There are also relaxed Roman shades and hobbled Roman shades, which still have folds when lowered. Other soft shades, like balloon shades, London shades, and Austrian shades, have more fullness.
Some of these styles are more expensive than others because they’re more labor-intensive and require more material. For example, the fuller shades need more fabric and lining.
Operating mechanism
I use some type of headrail system for all of the operational shades I fabricate, whether the shade is manually operated (with a bead chain lift or spring lift) or motorized.
Credit: Workroom Tech (student project)
Details: Coulise spring lift system & Safe-T-Shade cord locks
Manual soft shades
Manual shades that use a bead chain lift are operated by pulling a continuous loop bead chain. This turns drums inside the headrail, which lifts the cords of the shade (much like blind headrails that you may be familiar with). The bead chain can be made of basic plastic in white, off-white, grey, or black. Or, you can upgrade to a metal finish, like nickel, brass, antique brass, copper, or stainless steel (which doesn’t rust).
You may also choose a spring lift. A spring lift headrail has an aluminum roller tube with clips to which the shade cords are attached. There’s a spring on one of the tube, which can be wound to the desired tightness. It can easily be adjusted with a tension wheel by the installer or even after installation by the homeowner. Shades with these cordless spring lifts are a little more expensive than ones with a bead chain lift.
Credit: Somfy
Motorized shades
Motorized shades operated with a remote control are naturally more expensive than manual shades. But if it’s within your budget, I highly recommend choosing them. If your windows are hard to reach, motorization is truly the best option. Motorization offers a lot of conveniences, even for easy-to-reach windows.
I am a certified Somfy motorization expert, so I can help you decide which motorization hardware is best for your project.
For example, Somfy offers a TaHoma hub, which can integrate all your shades, draperies, and even outdoor shades or awnings so you can operate them through an app on your smartphone from anywhere. You can also set a schedule to automatically open and close your soft shades.
The Tahoma hub allows you to group your shades so they operate together. Additionally, you can add solar sensors to your windows. These let you program the soft shades to raise and lower at the times when the sun tends to shine straight into the room.
Stationary soft shades
You may also choose a stationary shade. Stationary shades will give you the look of a soft shade but are not functional. These are a little less expensive because they require less fabric and materials and don’t need an operating headrail. They can be installed over roller shades, blinds, or plantation shutters if you need to add privacy.
Labor
Roman shades are meticulously crafted and require a tremendous amount of time, skill, and attention to detail to ensure the finished product is excellent.
For instance, I take great care to ensure the fabric design placement is considered before fabricating the shades. For all shade styles, I make sure the folds fall at the same point in the fabric pattern or give a pleasing design. For fuller shade styles, like balloon or London shades, I make sure any fabric design motif is placed in separate sections to allow for a beautiful design when installed.
My preferred fabrication method is to place hidden ribs in the folds to give crisp, straight folds when the shade is raised. I also add an interlining with rib pockets and thin fiberglass ribs between the face fabric and lining. This inner layer with the fiberglass ribs is hand-tacked to the face fabric with matching thread. Then, I hand-stitch the cord rings through the lining and interlining just behind the ribs. By only stitching the cord rings behind the ribs, I can eliminate pinholes that allow light to shine through the shade when installed in the window.
I hand-stitch all the side and bottom hems on all the shades I fabricate. I also stitch on all the rings by hand and usually cut and assemble the headrails myself. This is time-consuming and requires a great deal of skill, but it ensures that the final product is something you’re proud to own.
Are custom soft shades worth the price?
Yes, custom soft shades are typically worth the price. Ready-made shades come in limited sizes, fabrics, patterns, and trim. Because they are mass-produced, they also often have issues you may not notice until you install them.
On the other hand, custom-made shades are fabricated to fulfill your exact needs and tastes. They’re made to your windows’ precise measurements, so the final product will fit your window perfectly, even if it’s an odd size.
Although expensive, custom soft shades are an excellent investment and can be a stunning design element in any room. I understand that everyone is on a budget, and I take that into consideration when fabricating all of your window treatments. If you’re ready to add soft shades to your home or next interior design project, contact me today!
A Guide to Slipcovered Furniture
Slipcovers are removable fabric covers that fit on a piece of furniture. They typically can be washed, dry-cleaned, or replaced when stained or worn out, so they can extend the life of your furniture pieces for years. With the high price tag these days on quality furniture pieces, this can save you so much money in the long run!
Slipcovers are also popular because they can be made to match many different interior design styles, and you can customize them by changing the fabric, skirt style, and other details. This lets you change the whole look of your furniture by changing the slipcovers as your tastes change or even seasonally. A new slipcover can turn any plain or outdated furniture into a beautiful piece you’ll be proud to show off!
Today, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about slipcovers, including my process for making a custom slipcover for your home.
What furniture can be slipcovered?
In my own home, I’ve slipcovered all my living room furniture (sofa, chairs, ottomans, and recliner) several times over the years. The key to creating a slipcover has less to do with the type of furniture and more to do with how well-built the piece is.
When purchasing new furniture pieces, inspect them thoroughly for structural issues, like broken or saggy springs or a broken frame. Cushion foam can be replaced easily, but a slipcover will not fix saggy springs or broken frame pieces. Even with new furniture pieces (made in the last 20 years), you can end up with cheaply made frames that aren’t worth the expense of slipcovering because the furniture will not last.
Styles of slipcovers
You may choose a more fitted look for your slipcover by adding hidden zippers or Velcro closures to give the illusion of having reupholstered the piece of furniture. This style is particularly common if you use upholstery fabrics, like chenille, velvet, tapestry, or brocade, for the slipcover. If you want a more casual look, you may opt for a looser fit and a slipcover made of basic washable canvas or denim fabrics.
For a more custom look, you can add extra details, like covered buttons, ties, lace-ups, and box-pleated or ruffled skirts. If you want to update a skirted piece of furniture, you can remove the skirt, replace the basic legs with decorative wooden legs, and choose a corded hem on your slipcover. I’ve also made slipcovers with more than one fabric by using complementary fabrics for the various sections or cording. These types of slipcovers are particularly cute for a nursery, child’s, or teen’s room.
And don’t forget about coordinating pillows!
The process
When you ask me to fabricate a slipcover for you, I strive to make the process as easy as possible while ensuring you end up with a product you love.
Step 1: Learning more about the piece of furniture & style
To start, I’ll ask you to send me pictures of the piece of furniture from all sides, along with rough measurements of the width and height of the item and the size of the cushions. The pictures and size estimates help me determine the labor required to fabricate the slipcover. Unusual pieces of furniture (like recliners, pullout sofas, loveseats, and furnishings with carved wood arms or other details) require more time and skill. Then, you’ll tell me about the current condition of your piece of furniture. Don’t worry; I’ll let you know what to check.
If you have an idea of what you want the slipcover to look like, I’ll have you send me pictures. Otherwise, I’ll share inspiration photos to help you choose the perfect style.
Step 2: Choosing the right fabric
I’ll also ask whether you intend to wash the slipcover because, if you do, I’ll have to ensure that the fabric chosen is labeled as washable. I usually recommend prewashing and drying the material before the pieces of the slipcover are cut out. For an additional charge, I can do this for you. I prefer doing this step myself because I can lay out the pieces to be cut and wash the fabric in more manageable sections.
If you prefer to use an upholstery fabric for your slipcover, keep in mind that you will likely not be able to wash it. Instead, you will need to spot-clean your slipcover or have it professionally cleaned. For example, some of the most popular performance fabrics, like Crypton, Revolution, and Sunbrella or must only be spot cleaned and only with recommended cleaners. Cleaning methods for other upholstery fabrics, such as chenille or velvet, depend on the fiber content of the fabric. I provide this crucial information to all of my clients for slipcovers or any other soft furnishings so that they will know how to take care of them in the future.
Also, for unwashable fabrics, I recommend purchasing additional material to add custom arm covers. These arm covers will protect the slipcover and can be replaced easily as they become stained or worn out. If you have an ottoman, you may also want to buy extra fabric for replacement covers since the ottoman will inevitably get dirtier faster because it’s meant for you to put your feet on.
Step 3: Getting a quote
After I have the rough size, condition, style, and fabric, I will send you a preliminary quote for the labor, fabric, and upholstery foam or batting needed. This quote will also include pickup and delivery fees. If you want to move forward, I’ll have you sign the estimate and pay a 50 percent deposit. We’ll also discuss the best time to pick up the furniture piece.
Step 4: Fabricating the slipcover
I don’t always bring the piece of furniture back to my studio. If you want a new slipcover for a sofa or loveseat, I can do some of the work onsite in your home and some in my workroom without moving the furniture piece out of your home. In my studio, I’ll fabricate the cushion covers and various sections. Then, I’ll custom-fit and pin these sections in one (or sometimes two) fitting appointments.
Step 5: Fitting the slipcover
Once the slipcover is completed, I’ll deliver the furniture and place the slipcover on it. This allows me to check that the slipcover fits perfectly and gives me a chance to iron or steam the cover as needed.
Do you want a new slipcover for the same piece of furniture?
Over the years, I’ve had clients come back and ask for a new slipcover for the same piece of furniture (plus, I’ve made several for my own pieces). Because of this, I always save my fabrication notes and pattern pieces. So, if you want a new slipcover for the same furniture piece down the road, I can easily replicate the slipcover without having to “reinvent the wheel.”
Are you ready to refresh a beloved piece of furniture with a new slipcover? Contact me today to get started!
Embrace the Grandmillennial Trend with Custom Window Treatments & Slipcovers
I'm always on the lookout for the latest trends and styles so I can recommend the best window treatment styles, fabrics, and soft goods to match your aesthetic and design vision. One of the design trends I've been seeing more and more lately is what is being referred to as "grandmillennial" style.
This style is a twist on traditional decor style. It takes a modern home and adds classic accessories and furniture, including all things vintage and antique. In a grandmillennial home, you'll likely see a lot of quilts, traditional prints, floral wallpaper, and richly-stained wood furniture.
You can really make this twist on traditional style your own by adding custom-made soft goods to your space. Keep reading to learn more about how window treatments, bedding, and slipcovers can help you embrace the grandmillennial trend.
Choose classic window treatments
Because of this new appreciation for traditional style, classic window treatments are making a comeback. The first styles that come to mind are various swag styles. Swag valances can be either board-mounted or loosely draped over poles or medallions and can be as casual or formal as you want them to be. More formal swag styles such as Empire or Kingston valances provide a very rich look, with softly pleated swags and cascades.
Another traditional window treatment option is created draperies. With all of the many options of pleat styles from French pleats and goblet pleats to tailored Euro pleats and inverted box pleats, you can achieve the full, luxurious look that fits into any grandmillennial home. You can add embellishments like leading edge fringe or decorative banding or beautiful tassel tiebacks or custom tiebacks out of matching or coordinating fabrics.
Match fabrics to your wallpaper
If you think back to Laura Ashley in the 1980s and 90s, you might remember that drapery, bedding, upholstery, and wallpaper sometimes all matched. Since wallpaper is making a comeback, you can embrace that trend again by choosing fabric for your window treatments that matches your walls. Or you can select a solid fabric that coordinates with the colors in your wallpaper. Companies like Thibaut offer fabric and wallpaper to make sure your room coordinates, no matter which route you take.
Opt for floral prints
Floral prints are a staple in grandmillennial design. You can use a bold floral pattern for your draperies, valances, and bedding. If you're afraid of using too much floral, you can play with pattern mixing or choose a solid color that complements the other prints in the room.
Add a slipcover to your traditional furniture
Slipcovers are great because they add versatility, custom details, and protection to your beloved furniture. Instead of going with white canvas or denim, consider choosing a classic print (like florals, stripes, or checks) or a solid chenille fabric in a deep color. It’s important to involve an experienced workroom to calculate yardage for your slipcovers, especially if you plan to use a print, stripe, or check fabric. There’s nothing worse than not having enough fabric for the project.
Put fringe on window treatments & bedding
Grandmillennial style is all about the finishing details. Adding fringe to your window treatments and bedding can ensure that your modern accents match the antiques you have elsewhere in the room.
Are you on a budget?
A lot of the styles I’ve mentioned can be on the pricier side because they require extra yardage of fabric and trim and are labor-intensive. If these styles don't fit your budget, you can achieve a similar look by choosing a simpler style (like a flat roman shade, flat valance, or upholstered cornice) and a traditional print, like floral or check.
You can also get a lot of bang for your buck by simply updating your dining chair covers or cushions or by adding colorful throw pillows to your sofa. These projects don't require much fabric, so you will have the ability to splurge on more expensive, higher-end fabrics and add a splash of grandmillennial style to your home.
Do you want to add grandmillennial elements to your home?
I have over 25 years of experience focusing on custom interiors and can fabricate window treatments, bedding, and slipcovers to match your home perfectly, no matter your preferred interior design style. Together, we can select the best products, styles, fabrics, embellishments, and hardware for your space. If you want to embrace this new twist on traditional style, contact me today!
What Interior Designers Should Know About Difficult Fabrics for Window Treatments
Velvet, linen, and sheers are difficult fabrics that are not suitable for all window treatments. Here’s what interior designers need to know about these materials.
The designer/workroom relationship is crucial when creating beautiful window treatments for a client’s home. Part of navigating that relationship includes knowing how to successfully collaborate with your workroom partner to make both your jobs easier and improve the final outcome for your client.
Part of a successful partnership includes understanding the limitations of a window treatment workroom. Today, I will share some of those limitations and clear up a common misconception I often hear when working with interior designers: "workrooms are magicians.”
Many designers believe workrooms can make any type of window covering out of any fabric. Sadly, that just isn’t true, as much as I wish it were. The right window covering workroom can help you determine the best material for the job and offer suggestions that match the look you want to create for your client.
Keep reading to learn more about some of the most challenging fabrics and how a window treatment workroom can help you select materials.
Are some fabrics more challenging to work with than others?
Yes, some materials are more difficult to work with, and not all fabrics are ready to roll out, cut, iron, and sew. Materials like velvet, linen, and wool are harder to work with because they often have a mind of their own, making them difficult to tame.
Velvet
Velvet is a stunning material that drapes beautifully and provides a high-end, elegant look. It can be made from cotton, polyester, rayon, acetate, or silk. Each type of velvet performs differently, which is one of the challenges of working with it. Besides that, the velvet can crush if sewn in the wrong direction. It also wrinkles easily and cannot usually be ironed to remove those wrinkles. Additionally, some velvets easily show marks from a sewing machine, meaning the fabric requires hand-stitching from your workroom partner.
Linen
Linen gives a room a light and airy appearance and is resistant to pilling and fading. But it’s a natural material, which means anything can happen; it might grow or shrink by half an inch, an inch, or more after being installed. Temperature can be a significant factor in how linen reacts, so it is not usually the best option if the window treatment will be near an air vent or in a space that experiences significant temperature changes. Additionally, linen often soils easily and must be professionally cleaned to avoid additional shrinkage.
If your client prefers a perfectly smooth look, there may be better fabric choices than linen because the material tends to wrinkle easily. Some wrinkling is unavoidable, but your workroom will take extra care to minimize the wrinkling caused by the sewing process and installation. This makes the fabrication of linen draperies more labor-intensive.
There are many different types of linens, with some being stiff and textured and others more limp and pliable. If you want to use linen for a window treatment project, your workroom will need to roll the fabric out and test its drapability to test it thoroughly. If you need help deciding whether to use linen in a project, consider asking your workroom partner to test the fabric in front of you to get an idea of how it will behave. I have been known to crumple a linen to show a client just how easily it wrinkles to ensure they knew what to expect from the final product.
Even with thorough testing, your workroom partner may not know precisely how the linen will grow or shrink until it’s installed in your client’s home. If you want a drapery panel to hover, your workroom may not hem it before installation to give the material a chance to react to its home environment. A panel that breaks or puddles tends to be less risky because these lengths allow for more leeway.
If the linen is soft and stretchy, your workroom may be able to add a fusible backing to stabilize the material and help minimize growth or shrinkage. This often works well for linen roman shades because the backing will also add body and help the shade fold neatly.
Casement and sheer fabrics
Casement and sheer fabrics, though different materials, can both provide an ethereal feel by allowing soft light to filter into the space. Casement fabrics typically let less light in and create a more textured appearance than sheers.
Both types of fabrics come with challenges and limitations for your workroom. The transparency means that any cords, rings, or ribs used on shades will likely show through to the front of the window treatment. Depending on the material, you and your clients may only see a shadow of these elements.
The combination of transparency and instability also means casement and sheer fabrics are not suitable for valances. For draperies and shades, workrooms can oftentimes overcome the instability by adding an iron-on stabilizer or a sheer lining. This will help prevent stretching or sagging in the final product.
Sheer draperies, in particular, require extra attention during the fabrication process. Some sheer material is quite slippery, so your workroom partner will take extra care to ensure the hems are straight. Other sheers must be hemmed by hand to achieve the look you and your clients expect. These small details are essential and create a beautiful product, but they also mean that fabricating sheers can be quite labor-intensive.
3 tips for choosing a suitable fabric for your next window treatment project
Although some fabrics are naturally more challenging to work with, that’s not the only limitation window treatment workrooms face. Not every material will be suitable for every type of window covering. For example, a fabric may work really well for a roman shade but not for a valance or drapery panel. An experienced workroom can help you determine if a material is right for the job and help you choose a more suitable option, if necessary.
When narrowing down your options for a particular project, keep the following tips in mind:
Tip #1: Consider the fabric’s weight
The weight of a material typically falls into one of three categories:
Lightweight fabrics weigh less than four ounces per square yard. They’re great for filtering light while still providing your clients with some privacy. Lightweight materials can often be used for drapery panels and roman shades.
Medium-weight fabrics weigh between five and eight ounces per square yard. These materials are very versatile, blocking some light and providing privacy. When combined with a lining, medium-weight fabrics tend to hang well without being too heavy, making them a good choice for large drapery panels or roman shades.
Heavyweight fabrics weigh more than eight ounces per square yard. They typically block out quite a bit of light and provide additional insulation, so they seem like a good choice for bedrooms, media rooms, and dens. But, heavyweight fabrics can be difficult to hang and use, especially for larger window treatments. That means they’re often better suited for stationary treatments.
Tip #2: Test the drapability
To test a fabric’s drapability, gather a section in your hand to see how it falls. If it falls into place along the folds, it may work well for drapery panels, swags, and valances. Velvets and linens tend to hang beautifully and make wonderful drapery panels because of this.
Tip #3: Partner with a window treatment workroom you trust
Although the weight of a fabric and its drapability are vital for determining whether a material is suitable for your window treatment project, there are many other things to consider. Every fabric will perform differently, but an experienced workroom can help you determine and source the right material that will match your design vision.
Lisa Jones Interiors is the workroom you can trust
I have been sewing since I was a little girl and have focused strictly on fabricating beautiful, custom interiors for over 25 years. This experience has taught me a lot about fabrics, and I can recommend the right material or window treatment style without compromising your vision. Throughout the process, I will connect with you every step of the way to ensure the finished product is something your client is proud to own. If you’re ready to partner with a window treatment workroom you can trust, contact me today!