How to Choose Fabric

The fabric you choose can make or break the room.  Here are a few quick tips: 

·          Decide on your style.  How formal or how casual do you want to be?  If you want a casual look, go for cotton or linen.  If you prefer a formal style-damask, silk and brocades are good choices.

·          Think about function.  If you are picking out fabric for a family room sofa, silk is not a good choice, especially if you have kids.

·         Check out your sources.  We recommend using the professionals for your drapery and upholstery projects.  Drapery shops, furniture stores, upholstery shops and interiors designers are all good resources.

·          Take a sample home and live with it for a few days before actually purchasing.  This will allow you to see how the fabric and color looks in different time of the day.

The following is a handy guide to help you in determining which type of fabrics to use for your home decorating project:

Fabric Type                          Pluses                                    Minuses                                 Care

Cotton                                   Strong fiber                             Easily wrinkled                         Machine washable

Wool                                       Very resilient                           Shrink if not treated                Dry clean
                                                Absorb color                            High maintenance
 

Linen                                      Very strong fiber                     Wrinkled very                          Dry clean
                                                Textured                                 easily      

Silk                                         Lustrous                                  Great for drapes                     Dry clean
                                               Absorb colors
 

Rayon                                    Drapes well                              Weak fiber                               Dry clean
                                                                                                Wrinkles easily
 

Acetate                                 Strong fiber                             Weak fiber                               Dry clean
                                                Silk-like    
 

Acrylic                                   Holds color well                        Pills easily                                  Hand-wash
                                                Elastic                                      not durable             

Polyester                              Strong fiber                             Weakened with time                Hand-wash 

Nylon                                      Strong fiber                             Fades easily                            Hand-wash
                                                Easy care                                 Resist abrasion

Olefin                                     Lightweight                              Strong fiber                             Machine wash
                                                Stain resistant                         Easily damaged
                                                                                                by heat