Curtains question - re: fabric

katie8-27-05

My mom is going to make us curtains for the nursery because we finally decided on colours.  I am going to stop at a fabric store after work just to look around but I am wondering if there are specific types of fabric I should be looking at.  Knowing me I'll fall in love with a pattern and it won't be the right fabric.  I tried calling my mom to ask but she isn't home.  We basically just want floor length curtains, with either tab top or gromets.

TIA!

starflower4

There's usually a section of the fabric store with decor fabrics, although you're not necessarily just restricted to that section. What type of fabric will depend partly on how much light you want to get through, although lighter fabrics can usually be lined to block more light. Hold fabrics up to the light to see how much gets through, and to see how they drape.

CBL

Drapery fabric is usually heavier.  If you tell the salespeople that it's for drapes, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

You can also line them, which makes them fall nicer and if you can find blackout fabric, provides extra darkness and keeps the sun from fading the fabric over time.  

katie8-27-05

Thanks girls.  I assume I will need to have them lined because the bulk of the curtain is going to be white and I will want the room dark for the baby.  We are also going to put up a blind, but I still think we'll line them.  Thanks for your help!

Miss_Not4Long

CBL you seem to be an expert

Do you think the satiny type fabric they have in Indian textiles stores would be good for curtains??

CBL

Miss_Not4Long:

CBL you seem to be an expert

Do you think the satiny type fabric they have in Indian textiles stores would be good for curtains??

I can't even sew   But I've spent hours watching my mom and accompanying her on many fabric shopping trips.

I'm trying to think of the material.  Is it the stuff they make formal saris out of?  More like a taffeta?  If I'm recalling correctly, and it's kind of stiff, yeah, I think it would make nice drapes.  If it's more like "bridal satin" and feels really smooth (and is shiny) on one side, rougher and dull on the other, probably not. 

Edited: Is it like this?  If so, yes, it would have excellent drape. 

http://z.about.com/d/hinduism/1/0/5/V/4.jpg

Miss_Not4Long

CBL:

Miss_Not4Long:

CBL you seem to be an expert

Do you think the satiny type fabric they have in Indian textiles stores would be good for curtains??

I can't even sew   But I've spent hours watching my mom and accompanying her on many fabric shopping trips.

I'm trying to think of the material.  Is it the stuff they make formal saris out of?  More like a taffeta?  If I'm recalling correctly, and it's kind of stiff, yeah, I think it would make nice drapes.  If it's more like "bridal satin" and feels really smooth (and is shiny) on one side, rougher and dull on the other, probably not. 

Edited: Is it like this?  If so, yes, it would have excellent drape. 

http://z.about.com/d/hinduism/1/0/5/V/4.jpg

awesome, yeah I should head to the local fabric shops, there is some beautiful stuff in there. I live just south of an Indian shopping area.