Which is the Best Fabric for Curtains?

Which is the Best Fabric for Curtains?

If you’re trying to put together a beautiful living room or bedroom, then the right set of curtains is an essential purchase. One of the hardest parts of choosing curtains, after picking the color and pattern, is picking the right fabric.

    Do you want something light, bright, and airy, or something thicker and heavier? How will you take care of those curtains? What room will they be in, and how important are insulation and light blocking? These are all things that you should consider before you make your purchase.

    What are curtains made of?

    Curtains can be made of many different materials – including wool, linen, cotton, silk, nylon, and polyester. Synthetic fabrics – such as nylon and polyester – tend to be the most affordable, while natural fabrics are significantly more expensive.

    What to look for in your curtains

    When you’re choosing curtains, you need to think about the weight, texture, and light filtering properties of the fabric, as well as how durable it is and how easy it is to clean.

    There are two things that will have a significant impact on those factors – the thread count and weave. Fabrics with a lower thread count tend to be less durable and more likely to deteriorate when exposed to the sun.

    Poly cotton curtain fabrics with a higher thread count are more durable but may need to be dry-cleaned. Silks are luxurious looking but are quite likely to fade and decay in direct sunlight. Fabrics with a thick weave will work to block out sunlight.

    The most common weaves seen in curtains are plain, twill, and damask. Jacquard Curtain Fabrics are often used for fabrics that have patterns printed on them. The damask weave is often used in single-color fabrics to provide texture.

    Which is the best curtain fabric?

    Materials such as linen and cotton are popular because they are light and breathable. They are comparatively easy to care for and are versatile in style.

    Polyester is a good compromise between nylon and thicker natural fabrics. Polyester blends can have tight weaves, but the fabric is quite lightweight.

    Polyester curtain fabric does not tend to fade the way that other natural fabrics do, and it tends to be machine washable. It can be lined to make them heavier and to block out even more light, and generally, quite stain resistant too.

    Table linens are transformative

    They can turn an everyday meal into a memorable affair or can make a special occasion dinner party into a truly elegant affair. They are not just decorative -- tablecloths will protect your table from spills and scratches, while fabric napkins will protect your clothing from a dropped morsel or splash of red wine.

    Caring for table linens can be intimidating, with the potential for wrinkles, stains, and fabric damage, however, if you start with a quality product and follow a few simple fabric care rules, your table linens can last for generations.

    When shopping for everyday tablecloth fabrics, we recommend selecting a  poly cotton tablecloth fabric or poly cotton blend, such as those made by Matouk. Poly cotton wrinkles less than pure cotton.

    The best way to clean cotton table linens is to wash them alone using a regular wash (hot water/cold rinse) and regular dryer cycle. Once the cycle is complete, remove the linens from the dryer and fold them. For Matouk’s everyday poly cotton linens or polyester tablecloth fabrics, no pressing is needed.

    As for storing your table linens, everyday tablecloths and napkins can be folded and placed in a drawer. Formal tablecloths and napkins—or any made of linen—should be wrapped in tissue paper, placed in a box, and then put into a dry drawer. This will help avoid wrinkles and maintain the product for the long haul.