How to make curtains, curtains design, curtain needs, curtain styles

Friday, March 30, 2012

Your First Step to Choose your Curtain Fabric


Your First Step to Choose your Curtain Fabric


Choosing fabric would seem to be a simple and straightforward task. But there is such an amazing range of beautiful and tactile fabrics available today that it would be foolhardy to spend just a short amount of time making that choice.


Firstly it pays to keep an open mind when you are selecting fabric for your new curtains. The best place to begin is with the actual window you are buying curtains for. You may decide to opt for something different such as Roman blinds for example, but if you are going to stay with curtains there are many different things you need to consider before you can actually order them.

You can actually make a good start by considering how good the curtains are that you have in place at the moment. Do they seem too thin for the window in question? Perhaps the sunlight still streams in even if you have the curtains closed.
The thickness of your new curtains is a very important point to bear in mind. Thicker curtains won't just cut out the sunlight they will also keep the heat in much more effectively during the winter months and make a room feel much cosier as a result. They also have a feeling of total luxury that is rarely surpassed by thinner fabrics, so bear this in mind if you want something heavy and luxurious to hang.

You also have style to think about. Choosing one fabric over another can give the room a whole new spin that you hadn't thought of before. You may also decide to get some inspiration from items that you already love having in your home. Think of those thick luscious velvety cushions you have squished into that favourite armchair for example, or the delightfully colourful bedspread you have on your bed. Perhaps you could continue the theme set by one such item into the curtains as well?

Choosing fabric is also made easier by having samples to look at and feel. This holds true regardless of whether you are ordering your new curtains online or in a shop. When you have samples you can use them at home to hold up against items of furniture, or to hold up against the light to see how effective they will be. You can also quite literally get a feel for the fabric to see whether it looks and feels exactly how you want it to.

Another very important aspect to bear in mind when choosing fabric is the colour. You should consider pattern choices at the same time here, because the two can sometimes be very closely entwined.

For instance the colour scheme in the room you wish to buy new curtains for may be blue. But it could be anything from a subtle pale shade of blue to an electric blue. Similarly your new curtains may look wonderful in a deep pure shade of blue - one plain block of colour that will really catch the eye. Alternatively you may wish to introduce a pattern of some kind to the curtains, all the while keeping that blue theme running through them very strongly. You could opt for a check pattern that features several different shades of blue for example. It may even help to link up several items in the room quite beautifully indeed.

You can see how important it is to spend some quality time choosing the best fabric for your new curtains. They will be hanging in the room of your choice for a long time to come so it makes sense to consider all your options carefully before you make your purchase. If you do this you will be delighted with the finished product.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Why Do We Need Automatic Fire Curtains?


Why Do We Need Automatic Fire Curtains?

Smoke is the greatest threat to life safety in a fire situation, graphics 1 and 2 indicate one of the many problems smoke can cause in large buildings.

In the event of a fire at a lower level, smoke will rise and enter the upper floors. This smoke will reduce visibility and cause occupants to be disorientated, and could result in deaths.

By using Smoke Curtains with Smoke Ventilators and fresh air intake it is possible to ensure that the unaffected floors are protected.

The smoke detections system would activate and the Smoke Curtain system would be deployed on all floors with the exception of the floor on which the fire has been detected.

In turn the smoke extraction system would operate. Smoke is restricted to the fire floor leaving the remainder of the building free from smoke allowing safe egress for the occupants.

Fire compartmentation is a requirement of Building Regulations, access routes through fire compartment walls need to be protected to provide the required fire integrity.

A cost effective solution is to install Automatic Fire Curtains which are a lightweight compact and convenient alternative to fire shutters.

Upon activation of the fire alarm system the fire curtain would descend and a compartment with a fire rating of 4 hours would be created.

Fire curtains can be manufactured to various widths using single or multiple roller systems.


What are Automatic Fire Curtains?


What are Automatic Fire Curtains?

Automatic fire curtains are now regularly used as an alternative to fire shutters, and building designers are requiring curtains to replace partition walls spanning large openings.

Large single roller systems using support rollers were trialled but the supporting rollers soon damaged the fabric. Also the integrity of the fabric could not be guaranteed when the panels were sewn together on site.

An overlapping system was preferred and subsequently tested to BS 476: pt22. Rollers with an overlap of 600 mm were installed in a mild steel head box joined with a common bottom bar. Integrity rating of 240 minutes and 60 minutes were achieved respectively.

Fire curtains with multiple rollers use the same gravity fail safe method of operation as single roller fire curtains.

Rollers with a diameter of 76 mm will be used for all multiple roller fire curtains.

The head box is manufactured from 1.2mm galvanised steel. The box can be powder coated to any standard RAL finish.

As shown in the diagram below the rollers will include for a 600mm overlap. The rollers must be positioned one above the other (over & under) to prevent the curtain gaping at the top and losing integrity. Curtains with a drop of 3.0m or less would be housed in a head box with dimensions of 180mm wide x 290mm high.

Fire curtain systems require side guides to provide a seal between the curtain fabric & the structure of the building. A fire will cause either positive or negative pressures, these pressures can cause the curtain to billow & pull the curtain fabric out of the side guides. Fabric retaining tabs are fixed to the edge of the curtain to prevent this occurring. The side guides are extruded from 2 mm galvanised steel. Powder coating is available as an optional extra. Unit dimensions 100 mm D x 50 mm W.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

How to Design and Enjoy Country Curtains


How to Design and Enjoy Country Curtains

Not every home is designed to benefit from country style curtains. But the ones that are can certainly be beautifully enhanced once the right curtains are chosen for each of the rooms.

Country style curtains provide a welcome relief from the modern and dynamic designs available at some retailers. For those people looking for something different and a touch more relaxed, country curtains could prove to be just the solution. Roman blinds may not fit the bill but there are lots of possibilities to create stunning country style curtains that would suit any relaxed and laid back room in the home.

A wonderful example of country style patterns and curtains comes from Vanessa Arbuthnott and her Cotswold collection of patterns. Meadow, Earth and Woodland are just three of Vanessa's modern range of stunning country style fabrics. Inspired by the Cotswold countryside she is lucky enough to live in, there is no doubt that her patterns reflect much of what the word 'country' means to many of us.

Regardless of which room in your home you want to style in the country fashion, you will be able to find something that will suit your needs.

Colour can be a good place to begin as you may already have a rough colour scheme in mind. Sometimes you may decide on a colour before you start looking for fabric and other items to use; on other occasions it may be the purchase of something simple like a bedspread or some cushions that kicks everything else off.

Country curtains have a soft theme that can really enhance certain rooms. They can also be quite lively on some occasions. A good example is the Plain Dotty collection of fabrics from Vanessa's range. These are purely country in nature and would make the perfect set of country curtains for rooms as diverse as kitchens and bedrooms. They are also available in a wide variety of colourways, giving you plenty of versatility to choose from.

Of course the fabric you choose is only one half of the equation. The style and design of the finished product is the other. The styles of country curtains can fall into lots of different areas. You could opt for cafe style tiered curtains if you wish; these look particularly suitable in kitchens. Simple but elegant designs that fall straight to the floor are luxurious enough in any bedroom. This is especially the case if you take the opportunity to create a beautiful matching bedspread to blend in with them as well.

You may decide to opt for something more complex in some rooms, and yet still retain that look and feel of the countryside. A beautifully natural fabric can work well when turned into curtains with a matching valance and tie backs, for example. But it is the natural look of country style fabrics that really makes this work.

There are so many delightful and simple patterns and designs that can be used for country style curtains that it is important to explore the range fully before making your decision. Strong colours won't make an appearance but there are still lots of beautiful pastels and colours that are a touch stronger that can be used in many different ways. A good example is the cranberry fabric in Vanessa Arbuthnott's Stripe and Dash range. It retains the warmth and relaxed feel of the countryside while still offering an eye catching punch that is hard to resist!

Imagine how each potential choice of fabric would blend and work in any room you are decorating or dressing. You may find you can add complementary cushions to bring the whole look together. Don't be afraid of mixing fabrics together either if you see two that seem to work well together. There are no firm rules when it comes to interior design. While certain styles of curtains lend themselves perfectly to the country interior, only you will know if you have found the ideal combination to use in your own country inspired home.

How to Design and Make Lined Curtains


How to Design and Make Lined Curtains


The easiest and most reliable method of lining curtains is called tube lining. Lining a curtain requires no extra sewing skills and adds body and fullness to your finished curtain. Curtains tend to hang better and of course you get the added benefit of a layer of insulation at your windows.

When calculating the amount of lining fabric you need to purchase, you should allow the same amount as for your curtain fabric. Although you will not need so much allowance for hems.

  Calculate the fabric amount required for your curtains using our guide "how to calculate fabric amounts for curtain making".

  The width of your lining should be about 5cm less than the width of the curtain fabric.

  The length of your lining should be the same as the curtain length less the hem allowance at the top.

  Cut the main fabric and the lining to the correct size for each curtain. Join fabric panels together if necessary for awide window. See our guide "how to join fabric panels together".

  Place the lining fabric on top of your curtain fabric, right sides together.

  Ensure the fabric and lining line up exactly by placing a mark with tailors chalk at the centre along the base of each fabric. You may find it helpful here to use table clamps. This hold layers of fabric securely in place against the table top while you pin, tack or handstitch. Always use professional curtain maker's clamps to avoid damaging either fabric or table tops.

  Tack together the side edges of both fabrics. As your curtain fabric is wider than your lining fabric, allow ther curtain fabric to fold underneath the lining fabric as you join the fabrics together.

  Stitch a 1cm wide seam along each edge of your fabric. Stop 10cm above where you will make the hem line.

  Turn you curtains right side out. Line up the central tailor chalk marks and press the fabric. Your curtain fabric should fold over to the lining side each side of your curtain. Press.

  Fold over 1cm of the top edge of the curtain, press, and then fold another 4cm over to hide the raw edges. Press.

  If using a heading tape or buckram, pin and tack this across the top of the fabric about 3mm below the top edge of your curtain. Purchase enough heading tape to fit across the entire flat width of your curtains, allowing an extra 4cm per curtain for tucking under raw ends.

  Turn the raw edges either side of the heading tape or buckram under before removing pins and sewing in place using two lines of stitching - one across the top and one across the bottom of the heading tape of buckram.

  Always sew each line of stitching in the same direction to avoid puckering of the fabric.

  Re-measure the length of your curtains before creating a hem at the base of your curtain fabric, tucking under raw edges. Using hemming stitch, stitch the hem by hand so that stitching cannot be seen from the right side of the fabric.

  Create a second hem on the wrong side of the lining fabric. The finished length of the lining should be about 2cm above the finished length of your curtain fabric.

  With the right side of the main fabric facing down and your lining facing up, press your hems. Press the fabric at either side where you left 10cm open at the join between the fabric and lining on the curtain panel. Now slip stitch the open edges together.

  Follow our guide "Curtain Headings" to create your desired curtain heading, then press and hang the curtains.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

A Glossary of Fabric and Ready Made Curtain Terms


A Glossary of Fabric and Ready Made Curtain Terms

Abrasion Resistance - The degree to which a fabric is able to withstand surface wear, rubbing, chafing, and other friction forces.
Acrylic - A synthetic fiber consisting of predominantly acrylonitrile or related chemicals. Acrylic has a soft, wool-like hand, and is generally able to be dyed in a wide range of brilliant colors. Acrylic is also known for it's excellent sunlight resistance and wrinkle resistance. Apparel items, carpeting, and upholstery fabrics often contain acrylic fiber as a yarn component.
ASTM - Acronym for the American Society for Testing and Materials. This organization, headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, sets up standard methods of tests for textiles and other merchandise.
Brocade - Brocade was originally an elegant, heavy silk fabric with a floral or figured pattern woven with gold or silver thread, produced in China and Japan. Currently, any of the major textile fibers may be used in a wide range of quality and price.
 Brocades are typically ornate, jacquard-woven fabrics. The pattern is usually emphasized by contrasting surfaces and colors, and appears on the face of the fabric, which is distinguished easily from the back. Uses include apparel, draperies, upholstery, and other decorative purposes.
Brocatelle - A fabric similar to brocade but with designs in high relief, made on a jacquard loom. The fabric usually has a firm texture and high yarn count. The pattern, a distinctive blistered or puffed appearance, generally is formed by warp satin floats. Uses include draperies and upholstery.
Chenille - A fuzzy yarn with a pile which resembles a caterpillar. Used mainly for decorative fabrics, embroidery, tassels, and rugs. Sometimes used broadly to define a fabric woven from chenille yarns.
Colorfast - A term used to describe fabrics of sufficient color retention so that no noticeable change in shade takes place during the "normal" life of the fabric. Virtually all textile dyes are rated according to their color life span.
Converter - A business that develops fabric styles and has them printed or woven to order by a mill. Unlike the mill, the converter owns no printing or weaving equipment. In the past, the major function of a converter was to provide rapid response to fashion change, quick delivery and service, and to handle relatively small orders. Today, converters like Regal Fabrics are particularly known for creating exclusive, copyrighted designs and unique fabric constructions.
Cotton - A soft, natural, vegetable fiber obtained from the seed-pod of the cotton plant. Cotton is the most widely used fiber in the world because of its versatility and ability to provide good comfort, particularly in apparel items. Its origins date back to 3,000 BC.
 The chemical composition of cotton is almost pure cellulose. In its raw, undyed form, the normal color of cotton is a light to dark cream, though it may also be brown or green depending on the variety. Cotton fiber lengths vary from less than one-half inch, to more than two inches. Generally, long length cotton fibers are of better quality. 
Commercial types of cotton are classified by groups based on fiber length and fineness, and the geographical region of growth. Egyptian, American-Pima, and Indian are examples of different cotton types. Cotton is used in a wide variety of products including apparel, home furnishings, towels, rugs, and sewing thread.
Count of Cloth - The number of ends and picks per inch in a woven fabric. If a cloth is 64 x 60, it means there are 64 ends and 60 picks per inch in the fabric.
Crewel - A true crewel fabric is embroidered with crewel yarn (a loosely twisted, two-ply wool) on a plain weave fabric. Traditional crewel fabrics are hand-woven and embroidered in India. The design motif for crewel work is typically outlines of flowers, vines, and leaves, in one or many colors. Modern weaving technology and inventive designers create traditional "crewel" looks with weave effects alone, without the use of embroidery.
Crocking - The tendency of excess dyes to rub off. Napped and pile fabrics in deep colors are most likely to crock. The textile industry has set standards and tests to measure and prevent crocking. Yarns and woven fabric can be rated for both wet and dry crocking.
Damask - Originally a firm, glossy Jacquard-patterned fabric made in China and brought to the Western world by Marco Polo in the 13th century. Damascus was the center of fabric trade between East and West, hence the name. Damask fabrics are reversible and are characterized by a combination of satin and sateen weaves. The design motifs are typically distinguished from the ground by contrasting luster. Damasks are similar to brocades, but flatter. Used mainly for curtains, draperies, and upholstery
Dobby Loom - A type of loom on which small, geometric figures can be woven in as a regular pattern. Originally this type of loom needed a "dobby boy" who sat on the top of the loom and drew up warp threads to form a pattern. Now the weaving is done entirely by machine. Dobby looms produce patterns which are beyond the range of simple looms, but are somewhat limited compared to a jacquard loom, which has a wider range of pattern capabilities.
Double-Width Loom - A type of loom that can produce fabric in widths up to 280 cm (108"). These are typically used to produce 140 cm (54") width fabrics by inserting a knife at the halfway point and adding a woven selvage at the center of the loom.
Elasticity - The ability of textile fibers to "bounce back" or recover when released from tension or stretch.
Elongation - The increase in length or deformation of a fiber as a result of stretching. Elongation is measured as a percentage of the original length.
End - One thread of the warp.
End and End - Term refers to fabrics with two colors alternating in the warp.
EpinglĂ© - A special high loop construction produced in Belgium on velvet wire looms. It is essentially a velvet, but without the usual shearing process after weaving. They are often called Moquettes, which is the french word for "uncut". Usually, epinglĂ©s are made from the highest grades of cotton, producing a very soft hand and good durability test results.
Filling - An individual yarn (also known as weft, pick, or filling) which interlaces with a warp yarn at right angles in weaving fabric.
Float - The portion of a yarn in a woven fabric that extends or floats, unbound, over two or more adjacent ends or picks.
Finishing - A general term which refers to treatment of a fabric to add a desired quality. Different types of finishing processes include, but are not limited to: washing, drying, shrink control, needle-punching, napping, shearing, backcoating, and stain repellent finishes such as ScotchguardT and Teflon.T 

A finish often contributes to a fabric's "feel" or "hand." It may also contribute such characteristics as bulk or loft, and resistance to abrasion or stains. For example, washing a fabric adds softness and loft, whereas backcoating a fabric adds durability.
Greige Goods - Term used to describe cloth woven on a loom with warp and filling yarns that have not been dyed. The woven fabric may be dyed later after weaving, as in piece dyed fabrics.
Grospoint - A fabric which features large points of yarn on the surface of the fabric. See also EpinglĂ© for photograph.
Jacobean - Originally a type of English embroidery with a strong oriental influence, of the type first done during the Restoration period. Common motifs are branches, ornamented in color with fruits and flowers and birds is common. Jacobean designs are found most frequently as upholstery fabrics.
Jacquard - Intricate method of weaving invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in the years 1801-1804, in which a headmotion at the top of the loom holds and operates a set of punched paper cards, according to the motif desired. Each punched perforation controls the action of one warp end for the passage of one pick. In modern looms, the punched cards have been replaced by diskettes, or the commands are directly downloaded from a network computer. 
Jacquard looms allow for large, intricate designs like a floral or large geometric. Damasks, brocades, brocatelles, and tapestries are examples of woven jacquards
Jobber - A distribution company that purchases fabric in full piece quantities from mills or converters and then sells smaller quantities of cut yardage to other wholesalers, decorators, or upholsterers. 
LiserĂ© - Term which refers to a specific type of fabric construction involving a supplementary warp. This supplementary warp, usually multi-colored, can be used to add color and detail in selected areas on the face of the fabric. Where the liserĂ© effect is not seen on the face of the fabric, it is hidden along the back as loosely tacked "floats." LiserĂ© effects are in some ways similar to a tissue pick, however liserĂ© occurs in the warp direction. Most classic liserĂ© designs are stripes, frequently used on wing-back chairs or in formal settings.
Martindale Tester - European abrasion testing machine that is also used in ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) tests for fabric abrasion resistance and pilling resistance.
MatelassĂ© - A rather soft, double cloth or compound fabric. MatelassĂ©s give blistered, puckered, quilted, or wadded effects depending on the cloth construction used. Made on Jacquard looms, the heavier constructions are used for coverlets, pillows, and upholstery.
MoirĂ© - A textile finish which creates lustrous or dull effects on the surface of a woven fabric. Moire effects are achieved when crushed and the uncrushed parts of the fabric reflect light differently in a rippled, or watermarked, pattern. This popular look is usually achieved by passing the fabric between engraved rollers that press a wavy motif into the fabric. MoirĂ© effects may also be achieved by overlapping various colors in printing fabrics, or by method of weaving. MoirĂ© fabrics are used for coats, dresses, draperies, bedspreads, light upholstery, and luggage lining. 
Olefin - A synthetic, man-made fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units. Two major categories of olefin are polypropylene and polyethylene.
Ombre - A graduated or shaded effect of color. An ombre may range from light to dark tones of one color, or may be a shading of three or more colors for a "rainbow" effect.
Paisley - An oriental pattern motif which is shaped like a teardrop, rounded at one end with a curving point at the other. Generally the inside of the teardrop shape contains many abstract designs, many of Indian or oriental origin. Traditionally used on cashmere shawls imported to Europe from India, it was an important decorative motif in imitation cashmere shawls made in Paisley, Scotland and it is from this usage that the name is derived.
Piece - One bolt or roll of fabric. A typical piece from Regal has 50 to 60 yards of fabric.
Piece Dyed Fabric - Fabric that is dyed after it is woven, in full piece form. The greige goods for piece dying can be cotton, polyester, or blends. The construction can be a dobby, jacquard, epinglĂ©, or a velvet.
Pick - A filling yarn that runs horizontally in woven goods. The pick interlaces with the warp to form a woven cloth. See also weft, or filling.
Polyester - A synthetic, man-made fiber produced from the polymerization of ethylene glycol and dimethyl terephalate or terephthalic acid. Some characteristics of polyester include: crease resistance, ability to dry quickly, shape retention in garments, high strength, abrasion resistance, and minimum care requirements. Polyester is a very important fiber in upholstery fabrics. It is often used in warps due to its strength and because it is relatively inexpensive. Other yarns, particularly cotton, are often used as filing yarns on polyester warps to add texture and mixed color effects.
Polypropylene - A textile fiber developed by Professor Guilio Natta, consultant to the largest chemical producer in Italy. It is obtained from propylene gas, a by-product of oil refining. This fiber may be used for satiny silk-like fabrics or for heavy wool-like yarns. Characteristics of polypropylene include: good strength, excellent elastic recovery, good resilience, and good stain resistance. This latter property has led to its wide use in carpets and upholstery fabrics. Polypropylene has a relatively low melting point and should not be ironed. Polypropylene is used widely in inexpensive upholstery fabrics due to its price and durability
Printed Fabrics - Textiles with design elements or motifs which are applied to the surface of the fabric with colorants such as dyes or pigments. This is as opposed to woven fabrics in which the design is created in the weaving as part of the structure of the textile itself. Many different types of printing methods exist, some of which include: rotary screen printing, heat transfer printing, and block printing.
Quality - 1.) A term which refers to the type of construction of a woven fabric. 2.) A term which refers to a product's lack of deficiencies.
Railroaded - Describes the orientation of a pattern's direction. When looking at a railroaded pattern, the filling yarns are in the vertical direction, while the warp yarns are in the horizontal direction. Some industries and manufacturers prefer railroaded patterns, while others prefer up-the-roll patterns for their application. For example, a sofa upholsterer may prefer a railroaded pattern in order to avoid excessive seams and waste fabric.
Rayon - A man-made fiber composed of regenerated cellulose, or wood pulp. Rayon is characterized by a natural luster, pleasant hand or feel, good draping qualities, and the ability to take dyes beautifully.
 The two main types of rayon are cuprammonium rayon, and viscose rayon. Viscose rayon uses a solution of cellulose xanthate, and is the most popular method of producing rayon.
 Cuprammonium rayon uses a solution of cellulose in ammoniacal oxide. Cuprammonium rayon is no longer manufactured in the U.S. due to the cost of cleaning waste water to meet clean water standards, however several European countries currently manufacture this type of rayon. Uses for rayon fiber include apparel items, draperies, and upholstery.
Repeat - Complete unit of pattern for design. Repeats vary in size considerably, depending on the weave, type of material, texture, and the use of the cloth. Measured vertically and horizontally, repeat information is used in defining how to layout the fabric on the furniture.
Seam Slippage - A measure of a fabric's ability to hold together when sewn so that the furniture doesn't pull apart at the seams. Seam slippage may be due to improper woven construction or finish, or may also be caused by stitching that does not have proper holding power. There are laboratory tests that determine the seam integrity of a woven fabric.
Selvage - The lengthwise, or warpwise, edge of a woven fabric. The point at which the weft yarns bind the warp to form a finished edge.
Sley - The number of warp ends per inch in a fabric exclusive of selvage. A fabric of "high sley" has a high number of warp yarns per inch. Most of Regal's high-end upholstery fabrics have 9600 warp yarns across a 54" width.
Slub Yarn - A yarn of any fiber which is irregular in diameter and characterized by contrasting fat and thin areas along the length of the yarn. The effect may be purposely created to enhance a woven or knitted material, or may occur in error as a yarn flaw.
Tapestry - Originally ornamental Oriental embroideries in which colored threads of wool, gold, silk or silver were interspersed for adornment. In the textile industry, a tapestry warp differs from a typical solid colored warp in that it is multicolored. "True" tapestries have at least 6 different colors in the warp, but tapestry-type looks can be achieved with four-color warps. Because of the beautiful, multi-colored detail effects, tapestry constructions are popular in a range of styles from scenic novelties to intricate florals.
Tear Strength - The force necessary to tear a fabric, usually expressed in pounds or in grams. The most commonly used method for determining tear strength is the Elmendorf tear test procedure.
Thread Count - The number of warp and filling yarns per inch in a woven fabric.
Ticking Stripe - A narrow two-color stripe reminiscent of a design typically used in old style mattress covers (ticking).
Tissue Pick - Term which describes supplementary filling yarn or yarns which "float"along the back of fabric in bands, and are brought up in selected areas for added color detail on the face of a fabric. Sometimes tissue picks are referred to as "dead picks" because the fabric on the loom doesn't advance while the extra pick is applied.
Casual and formal tissue pick designs.
UFAC - Acronym for Upholstered Furniture Action Council. An American association of furniture manufacturers and retailers. This association conducts research and disseminates information on voluntary guidelines for more fire resistant upholstery materials. Headquarters are in High Point, NC
Up-the-Roll - Describes the orientation of a pattern's direction. When looking at an up-the-roll pattern, the warp yarns are in the vertical direction, while the filling yarns are in the horizontal direction. Some industries and manufacturers prefer up-the-roll patterns, while others prefer railroaded patterns for their application. See also railroaded for illustration.
Velvet - A warp pile cloth in which rows of short cut pile stand so close together as to form an even, uniform surface; appealing in look and with soft hand. First made of all silk, many different fibers are now used velvet constructions. When the pile is more than one-eighth of an inch in height the cloth is then called plush.
Viscose - A special form of rayon that is produced by putting wood pulp or cotton linters through a specialized spinning and chemical process. Viscose yarn is popular in high end upholstery fabrics, particularly viscose chenilles, because of the yarn's lustrous appearance and strength.
Warp - The yarns which run vertically or lengthwise in woven goods. The warp yarns are threaded through the loom before weaving begins. In upholstery fabrics, the warp yarns are typically finer than the fill or weft yarns, but not always.
Weft - The crosswise or filling pick yarns in a woven cloth, as opposed to the warp yarns. This term is popular in hand weaving circles in the USA, while in the industry the term filling is more popular, however both words have the same meaning.
Wyzenbeek Tester - An abrasion testing machine used in ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) tests for fabric abrasion resistance. 
Yarn - A generic term for an assemblage of fibers or filaments, either natural or man-made, twisted together to form a continuous strand that can be used for weaving, knitting, braiding, or the manufacture of lace, or otherwise made into a textile material. In upholstery fabrics, the most commonly used yarns are made of cotton, polyester, acrylic, rayon, and polypropylene.
Yarn Dyed Fabric - Fabric woven with yarns that have been dyed prior to the weaving of the goods. This is as opposed to piece dyed fabrics, which are woven with undyed warp and fill yarns.

Friday, March 23, 2012

What are Advantages of Curtains Versus Blinds


What are Advantages of Curtains Versus Blinds


When considering the interior design of your home, how you cover your windows is a very important decision, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. Let's take a look at the top 10 advantages of curtains over blinds.
Curtains add visual elegance to a room
Where both vertical and horizontal blinds just cover the window and add very little to the look and feel of the room, curtains and their fittings add a certain style. Curtain poles come in a wide variety of styles, from simple metal curtain poles to 
wood effect ones. Finials (the decorative ends of the curtain poles) also come
 in all shapes and sizes, so you are sure to find a style that suits your room.
When open, curtains frame a window beautifully, creating a border which is lacking with blinds. Whether pulled up or to the side, blinds cover only the window, whereas curtains can hang below and to the side of the window. Tying curtains back adds a certain elegance which blinds cannot offer.
Curtains and curtain tracks or poles can be bent to fit a bay window
Although some vertical blinds can be bent to the shape of a bay window, a vertical blind will take away the lovely effect and leave the room looking more like an office. A curtain track or curtain pole can be made to measure and bent to suit a bay window and the curtains will once again add elegance and style. Curtain tracks are also more flexible and can be made to fit a wider range of bay windows.
Increased fitting flexibility
Some of today's more modern windows and patio doors open inwards leaving little space to fix. With curtain tracks that can be as small as 5mm and some that can even be recess fixed into a ceiling, this will leave plenty of room for a window or door to open inwards.
Curtains provide insulation
Typically blinds are thin and offer minimal heat insulation to a room. Compare this with a lovely warm set of curtains which not only keep the heat inside but also cut draughts as they can hang below the window ledge, unlike blinds which stop just above the ledge. Curtains can also be interlined with a thick material to add extra heat insulation.
Hand, cord or electric operation
Curtain tracks and curtain poles can be hand operated so that many different curtains can operate on one window. This allows curtains of different widths and drops to stack at different locations on the window. In addition they can also be operated as a blind with a cord to avoid handling the curtains or electrically for the extra security and a touch of luxury.

Easy to keep clean
Blinds can be dust traps, especially horizontal ones. As more people are suffering from asthma and dust allergies, curtains are a healthy choice, requiring little care to keep them clean and presentable. The tracks and poles need little servicing and the curtains need only be vacuumed or dry cleaned on the odd occasion.
Want a new look and feel?
Although white or cream blinds will fit in with most room styles and colours, they do nothing to enhance it. Curtains can blend in with your room, or can be chosen to enhance or contrast with it. Redecorating? No problem, just choose new 
curtains to match. Curtains can also have trimmings and contrast edges to pick
 out other colours within the room. Buttons can be added to pleats, cord can be added to edges or pleats as can a contrast trimming. Curtains offer a much wider 
scope for design.
Curtains can be controlled remotely
As mentioned above, electric curtain tracks can be fitted which allow you to control your curtains from the comfort of your armchair. Although it may seem like the height of laziness, there is a practical aspect to electric curtain tracks. When on holiday, people typically use automated light-switching devices but have to leave curtains or blinds half open. Electric curtains can be set to open and close at set times each day, giving the impression that someone is home. Alternatively 
a light sensor can be added to open and close the curtains in conjunction with
 the daylight hours.
Curtains are easy to hang
Want to change your curtains? Simply unhook them from your curtain pole, attach the hooks to your new curtains and away you go. Replacing vertical blinds can involve unhooking each blind from the next, unclipping each one carefully (the plastic is easy to snap), and then going through the whole rigmarole in reverse to put them back up. Other blinds must be removed all in one, making it easy to damage them as they are taken down or put back up.
Reliable and cost effective
With so many working parts or fiddly clips, blinds tend to be less reliable than curtains on a track or a pole. Combining curtains with a good, reliable curtain track or pole can be a more cost effective option; especially as curtain prices 
have been greatly reduced since the introduction of ready-made and express curtain
 making services. And if your requirements change, you can simply hang new curtains on your existing track or pole.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

How to Choose the Type of your Curtains


How to Choose the Type of your Curtains


 If you have just bought a house or you are thinking of re-decorating your home, consider the options presented to you by a number of different curtain types and their functions. With correct curtain choice, it is possible to change the look and feel of a room completely. Curtains are an important feature of your room's style and feel. Curtains are no longer just used for blocking cold, keeping warmth inside, blocking out light and creating a private atmosphere. Now curtains are used in a decorative manner as well as practical functions. Depending on the window you need to dress, curtains can become a focal point of an entire room or frame a view from the window. Interior decorators use colour, style and new materials to help create an excellent looking window curtain.

If you were to consider the many different types of curtains, you will be left feeling confused; there are a wide range of creatively developed curtains. According to your taste and personal style, the type of curtain you choose reflects your personality and reflects the feel of your home you wanted to create. Depending on the room you want to dress with curtains, the function and style of each considered curtain needs to be discussed and well thought out. From kitchen windows to bedroom windows, the function of these curtains must suit that particular room.
If you choose translucent curtains such as nets or sheer curtains which can often create a subtle light effect on your room during the day, it is important to remember that these curtains do not provide privacy, especially at night time. These types of curtains can be used in conjunction with opaque curtains to aid in desired privacy. These net curtains can aid in preventing glare during the day, although not totally blocking light. If your window requires more privacy during the day time from peering eyes, consider using sheer or net curtains, along with opaque curtains for night privacy.
When you choose your curtains for any particular room, consider the aesthetic appeal of the room, whether the curtain enhances a certain style or colour, if done properly the curtain will not only enhance the style of the room, but adds an opulent feel to any space. Be aware that the incorrect choice such as curtains which are dirty and unkempt or miss-matched can give any room an extremely gloomy, uneasy look. When decorating your home with curtains, consider the underside of the curtain, and how it will appear from the outside, especially if your window is street or entrance facing. The appearance of your curtains from the outside of your house will immediately affect the appearance of your house from the street.
As we have discussed before, it is impossible to name all the variations of curtains available on the market today. Shopping for curtains is made easier for customers today with the use of the worldwide web. Most curtain retail suppliers have web sites where their customers can peruse curtain catalogues, see different hangings, view materials and designs and more. With popular curtain retailers, customers are able to order samples of materials and shop for curtains online. This new and easy way of shopping makes choosing curtains easier as you can be in your home when visiting curtain retailer's web sites.
With the internet it is possible to view the many types of curtains, choose the appropriate style and colour to suit your home. To name a few types of curtains you are likely to find: curtain valance, cascade curtains, shirred curtains, café curtains and more. When you consider curtain types, also investigate the type of hanging style you require, for example you may want to choose a rod which has designs to fit, you may be interested in pelmets or using a tie-back curtain system.
It can be difficult to choose curtains with so many influencing factors. To make curtain shopping more enjoyable and easy consider making your purchase from a reputable company with many years of industry experience. Your chosen retailer can offer you advice and customer assistance for your curtain purchases, ensuring you get the correct curtain for your home, the first time.

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