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DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Be True to Your Self
There are times when self-lined draperies are not the best solution.

by Sharon L. Anderson

CHALLENGE: You are an expert in the drapery business, I was wondering if you would answer some questions for me?

I ordered four pairs of draperies from a decorator. When the draperies came they were wrinkled so I told her I wanted them professionally steamed. She sent over someone who did the job. However, the draperies still do not hang right. The draperies were self-lined. When are draperies self-lined? Are there times when they shouldn’t be self-lined? I feel that they should have had regular drapery lining and maybe then they would have hung correctly. Is this true? I would appreciate any and all help you could give me.

SOLUTION: We all learn daily about this profession, and I always keep an open mind. I will try to answer your questions in a professional response.

The term self-lined is defined as a custom drapery, usually including swags and cascades, having the same fabric on the face as on the back of the custom treatment. Because a swag and cascade usually can be seen from all sides, self-lining is the answer.

This does not mean that all custom draperies must be self-lined. This is more of an aesthetic decision from the designer or decorator’s point of view. When self-lining, you need to be careful and determine first if the fabric is compatible for self-lining. In other words, how does the fabric perform? Is it the right weight to be considered for self-lining? For many heavier fabrics it might not be the correct choice.

Fabricators refer to the hand of the fabric as the fabric’s softness or stiffness to the human touch. Lightweight fabrics are considered as having a soft hand. An example might be a lace. Medium weight fabrics, such as antique satins, could be considered as having a medium hand. These fabrics hang well as a window treatment. Heavier fabrics, usually for upholstered furniture, are considered as having a stiff hand and are not appropriate for draperies. They will not hang correctly.

In reference to your particular problem, because I do not know the exact type of fabric, it may or may not be compatible for self-lining and steaming might have made the problem worse! Remember that steam is made from water and water shrinks particular fabrics. Usually a professional installer will spray a chemical that will relax the wrinkles in a fabric and not harm it in any way. The result is the wrinkles will disappear. This is performed quite frequently in professional installations.

There are other issues to be aware of when it comes to lining—regardless of whether the fabric is self-lined or lined with some other lining fabric. If in doubt, you need to ask the professional workroom or decorator who is working on the job: Was the proper lining chosen for the window location? If the window receives direct sun, is there a lining on the drapery that will protect the window treatment, the interior furniture and textiles from the harmful effect of the sunrays? There are certain types of lining fabric available that will perform in a manner that protects from fading and harmful rays of the sun. There also are window film products (applied to the glass) that can do the same.

Editor's note: This is a continuing series of articles written by Sharon L. Anderson that will answer some of the many questions we receive at Draperies & Window Coverings as well as questions Anderson has encountered in her own business. If you have a question you would like Anderson to address, please send it to:

Design Solutions
c/o Draperies & Window Coverings
1724 E. Grand Ave.
Lindenhurst, IL 60046
Fax: (847) 356-9013
E-mail: SharonAnderson@adelphia.net