Picking the right fabric for your window treatment design

As an interior designer, there are SO many possibilities to create a truly unique space catered to your client's style and needs.

Window treatments are an integral part to any design, and for soft goods like Draperies, Valances, and Roman Shades...

...it all starts with the fabric!

The right fabric can MAKE or BREAK your window treatment design.

Let's talk about some important factors to consider when you're selecting a fabric.

First, be sure to check out our blog posts about RAILROADED FABRIC and DRAPERY WIDTHS if you haven't already.

There, you'll learn that most fabrics measure close to 54" wide. Fabric measurements help determine the yardage required for your design.

For example, PATTERNED FABRIC usually requires more yardage than a SOLID.

As much as we love patterned fabrics, there are some situations that can be avoided if you choose a solid fabric over a patterned one.

Especially if you're working with an overly analytical client, it's important to consider WHERE a motif in your pattern will fall in regards to your selected window treatment style.

the women in this toile fabric pattern were centered along the very top of this shade

Certain fabrics with larger repeats, like toile fabrics for example, will inevitably get cut off, depending on the style and measurements of your product.

So you'll have some important decisions to make regarding what part of the pattern you'd like to center where.

fabrics with busier prints will inevitably get cut off, depending on the style of the product

the designer requested the larger yellow bird motif to be centered along the top of this shade

OR, if you'd prefer the pattern to have more of an even flow, try pairing a more geometric fabric with certain window treatment styles, like a chevron print fabric with select top treatments...

...Or a flannel striped fabric on a Flat Roman Shade.

For draperies, if you're not sure about how a patterned fabric will look after pleating, just ask!

We are happy to discuss suitable styles for your fabric pattern, but if your client seems more particular about your design choices for their home, a solid fabric may be your best bet.

notice the difference between a pleated drapery made from solid fabric...

...compared with the same pleat style made with patterned fabric

Pattern repeat, width measurements, and pleat style all have an impact on the finished appearance of your drapery, so predicting EXACTLY where your pleats will fall along any given pattern is incredibly difficult prior to receiving your fabric in our workroom.

Patterned fabrics with less predictable geometric repeats and more of a natural flow to the print are oftentimes a more suitable choice for pleated drapery styles.

However, through all of this, we are here to help. Our customer service representative have years of experience, and our talented artisans may have some helpful suggestions along the way. There are just SO many exciting options available for your custom design!

For example, the same exact product can take on a TOTALLY different look, depending on whether you've selected a solid or patterned fabric.

See the dynamic differences between these custom shades made with a variety of patterned vs. solid fabrics.

Notice the dramatic change in appearance between these two King Windsor Valances, with one made from patterned fabric and tassel trim, and the other made from solid fabric with a self welt.

In contrast, the same fabric can take on a completely different look depending on the type of product you've requested!

Shimmery silver fabric on a top tacked drapery...

compared to the same fabric for a custom pillow with bead trim!

design + install by Sidney Sharkey (Ethan Allen-Arlington, VA)

In addition, adding custom accents like TRIM or a GRAND BAND can have a drastic impact on the same fabric across different products.

grand band drapery & install by 1225 Designs

custom shade in our workroom for 1225 Designs

In addition, different color schemes can evoke different emotional responses across the exact same fabric pattern.

See how the bright red hues of this first shade topper feels bold and excitable in comparison to the calming neutral print of the same fabric in more muted Earth tones of the second shade topper.

Some fabrics are treated similarly to solid fabric, but have a subtle stripe, known as the grain of the fabric or a slub texture across the width.

The added textures bring a unique flair to your design, without some of the situations that can arise in patterned fabrics that we covered earlier.

Adding TRIM to your design brings even more visual interest to textured fabrics!

Some fabrics have a totally different material makeup that might call for additional considerations.

Silk fabrics for example, have a lovely classic texture, but require a thicker solo napped combination lining or flannel interlining for a proper finish.

Crushed velvet has also been incredibly popular lately! But keep in the mind the exact specifications for your product before selecting velvet, as it can become quite heavy and isn't always a great fit for certain products. And depending on the product you have chosen, there may be hand sewing needed.

For example, we're unable to use velvet fabric for quilted bedspreads. In addition adding multiple layers of velvet with custom accents like applied velvet bands or welt can become too bulky to sew.

And it's important to remember that we recommend hand-sewn hems for velvet draperies. Learn more about that in our Hand-Sewn Drapery Fabrics blog post!

In contrast, lighter sheer fabrics typically cannot be upholstered, but are a great choice for a variety of soft window treatment styles.

Sheer fabric doesn't always require lining. But unlined sheers will have a translucent finish around your client's window, serving more of a decorative purpose over functional.

Open-weave casement fabrics are another one of our favorites, oftentimes stretchier with more of a textured finish than traditional sheers.

Please keep in mind that certain delicate casement fabrics do require hand-sewing.

a contrast lining fabric really pops behind this casement fabric (hand-sewn)

stretchier, more colorful casement fabric for this unlined pleated drapery

Interlining adds beautiful body to a window treatment. See how these designs compare to the same style fabricated with interlining.

top tacked drapery with standard lining

notice the thicker pleats on this interlined top tacked drapery

While interlining is a great choice for certain styles, thicker fabrics may become too bulky when paired with interlining.

The thickness of your fabric is an important consideration for fabrics that will be ruched or gathered.

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Picking the right fabric for your window treatment design

As an interior designer, there are SO many possibilities to create a truly unique space catered to your client's style and needs.

Window treatments are an integral part to any design, and for soft goods like Draperies, Valances, and Roman Shades...

...it all starts with the fabric!

The right fabric can MAKE or BREAK your window treatment design.

Let's talk about some important factors to consider when you're selecting a fabric.

First, be sure to check out our blog posts about RAILROADED FABRIC and DRAPERY WIDTHS if you haven't already.

There, you'll learn that most fabrics measure close to 54" wide. Fabric measurements help determine the yardage required for your design.

For example, PATTERNED FABRIC usually requires more yardage than a SOLID.

As much as we love patterned fabrics, there are some situations that can be avoided if you choose a solid fabric over a patterned one.

Especially if you're working with an overly analytical client, it's important to consider WHERE a motif in your pattern will fall in regards to your selected window treatment style.

the women in this toile fabric pattern were centered along the very top of this shade

Certain fabrics with larger repeats, like toile fabrics for example, will inevitably get cut off, depending on the style and measurements of your product.

So you'll have some important decisions to make regarding what part of the pattern you'd like to center where.

fabrics with busier prints will inevitably get cut off, depending on the style of the product

the designer requested the larger yellow bird motif to be centered along the top of this shade

OR, if you'd prefer the pattern to have more of an even flow, try pairing a more geometric fabric with certain window treatment styles, like a chevron print fabric with select top treatments...

...Or a flannel striped fabric on a Flat Roman Shade.

For draperies, if you're not sure about how a patterned fabric will look after pleating, just ask!

We are happy to discuss suitable styles for your fabric pattern, but if your client seems more particular about your design choices for their home, a solid fabric may be your best bet.

notice the difference between a pleated drapery made from solid fabric...

...compared with the same pleat style made with patterned fabric

Pattern repeat, width measurements, and pleat style all have an impact on the finished appearance of your drapery, so predicting EXACTLY where your pleats will fall along any given pattern is incredibly difficult prior to receiving your fabric in our workroom.

Patterned fabrics with less predictable geometric repeats and more of a natural flow to the print are oftentimes a more suitable choice for pleated drapery styles.

However, through all of this, we are here to help. Our customer service representative have years of experience, and our talented artisans may have some helpful suggestions along the way. There are just SO many exciting options available for your custom design!

For example, the same exact product can take on a TOTALLY different look, depending on whether you've selected a solid or patterned fabric.

See the dynamic differences between these custom shades made with a variety of patterned vs. solid fabrics.

Notice the dramatic change in appearance between these two King Windsor Valances, with one made from patterned fabric and tassel trim, and the other made from solid fabric with a self welt.

In contrast, the same fabric can take on a completely different look depending on the type of product you've requested!

Shimmery silver fabric on a top tacked drapery...

compared to the same fabric for a custom pillow with bead trim!

design + install by Sidney Sharkey (Ethan Allen-Arlington, VA)

In addition, adding custom accents like TRIM or a GRAND BAND can have a drastic impact on the same fabric across different products.

grand band drapery & install by 1225 Designs

custom shade in our workroom for 1225 Designs

In addition, different color schemes can evoke different emotional responses across the exact same fabric pattern.

See how the bright red hues of this first shade topper feels bold and excitable in comparison to the calming neutral print of the same fabric in more muted Earth tones of the second shade topper.

Some fabrics are treated similarly to solid fabric, but have a subtle stripe, known as the grain of the fabric or a slub texture across the width.

The added textures bring a unique flair to your design, without some of the situations that can arise in patterned fabrics that we covered earlier.

Adding TRIM to your design brings even more visual interest to textured fabrics!

Some fabrics have a totally different material makeup that might call for additional considerations.

Silk fabrics for example, have a lovely classic texture, but require a thicker solo napped combination lining or flannel interlining for a proper finish.

For example, we're unable to use velvet fabric for quilted bedspreads. In addition adding multiple layers of velvet with custom accents like applied velvet bands or welt can become too bulky to sew.

And it's important to remember that we recommend hand-sewn hems for velvet draperies. Learn more about that in our Hand-Sewn Drapery Fabrics blog post!

In contrast, lighter sheer fabrics typically cannot be upholstered, but are a great choice for a variety of soft window treatment styles.

Sheer fabric doesn't always require lining. But unlined sheers will have a translucent finish around your client's window, serving more of a decorative purpose over functional.

Open-weave casement fabrics are another one of our favorites, oftentimes stretchier with more of a textured finish than traditional sheers.

Please keep in mind that certain delicate casement fabrics do require hand-sewing.

a contrast lining fabric really pops behind this casement fabric (hand-sewn)

stretchier, more colorful casement fabric for this unlined pleated drapery

Interlining adds beautiful body to a window treatment. See how these designs compare to the same style fabricated with interlining.

top tacked drapery with standard lining

notice the thicker pleats on this interlined top tacked drapery

While interlining is a great choice for certain styles, thicker fabrics may become too bulky when paired with interlining.

The thickness of your fabric is an important consideration for fabrics that will be ruched or gathered.

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