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Drapery Interlinings - Beauty and Function
03/03/2009 - By Cathie Gulliver Sew Simple Elegance Custom Drapery
Sew Simple Elegance Custom Drapery
Windows are notorious for letting in the cold during the winter and heat during the summer. Lined and/or interlined functional drapery panels can actually raise the energy efficiency (R-value) of our homes.
Using multiple layers of fabric in a drapery panel (rather like wearing layers of clothing for warmth) actually assists in reducing our overall energy consumption which in turn also saves money on the high costs of heating and cooling in the home.
An interlining is one or more layers of fabric that is inserted between the face fabric and the drapery lining that serves as a layer or layers of insulation. Not only does this interlining provide a degree of insulation it also helps to protect draperies from sun deterioration. Fabrics such as silk and velvet are especially prone to sun damage and interlining is highly recommended to keep these fabrics looking as good as new for as long as possible.
However, the ‘biggest’ bonus of all is the pure luxury look and feel interlining gives to draperies. English Bump is the heaviest and softest interlining of all and can elevate an inexpensive fabric to pure luxury status. Traditionally, English Bump was used in Europe providing necessary insulation qualities in old drafty homes. Homes aren’t quite so drafty anymore but that doesn’t mean that the old-fashioned benefits of using interlinings in drapery panels should be ignored.
And as if that isn’t enough, interlinings also have acoustic properties which help to keep noise levels down. This is especially important to keep in mind when designing treatments for homes in busy downtown areas and when designing the current trend for media rooms in larger homes.
Surprisingly, the cost of interlinings are no longer as ‘grand’ as they look in appearance. As the demand for interlinings has increased in recent years, along with improvements in manufacturing methods, interlinings are no longer as ‘expensive’ as they once seemed.
It is worth remembering that for absolute luxury in draperies always choose to go with more fullness in an inexpensive fabric than to skimp with an expensive fabric!!!!! Using an interlining will also elevate an inexpensive fabric to a new level AND by using an interlining you can often get away with less fabric creating the illusion of more fullness in the panels. This can be well worth the investment when using a very expensive face fabric.
Cathie Gulliver
Sew Simple Elegance
www.SewSimpleElegance.ca
Guelph, Ontario
