Linen and Fabric Weave Guide

All fabrics are made of natural or man-made synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers, such as nylon, rayon, polyester, acrylic and olefin are made in factories all across the world. Synthetic fibers are commonly added to natural fibers to enhance fabric's overall durability, stain and wrinkle resistance.

The fabrics you choose for your bedding and upholstered furniture can affect the look of any room. The more information you know about fabrics and linens and their uses, the easier you will make your way through any decorative challenges that come along.  Many times the type of fabric you choose will depend on its durability for a particular use. Below is a list of fabrics and their primary uses.

Brocade- fabric made of cotton, wool, or silk. It usually features floral designs that are raised on the fabric. It is a romantic, classic look that hides soiled areas well.

Bamboo-  Bamboo is a new fabric that is made from the pulp of the plant. Bamboo fabric is natural, antibacterial, and Eco-friendly. Bamboo fabric can be found in all bedding--sheets, pillow cases, drapes, and bedspreads. The antibacterial proprieties of bamboo last up to 50 washings. Bamboo fabric is extremely odor-resistant.  Home Source Bamboo Sheets and Bedding.

Canvas- canvas fabric basically a very heavy cotton. canvas is extremely durable, so makes a great material for high-traffic, high wear areas like furniture covers. Because of its flat surface, canvas does tend to show dirt. Dark canvas is the perfect solution for a piece that maintains lots of wear and tear.

Chintz- chintz is made from a light-weight cotton often used to make decorative pillows, fancy bedding, and window treatments. It has a shiny finish and tight weave. Since the threads are woven so tight, it is a good fabric that resists soiling. Spills usually bead up. Chintz does not hold up as well as canvas. 

Cotton- common, strong fabric found in a variety of weights and textures. The durability of cotton depends on the tightness of the weave.

Damask- damask is made from tightly woven silk wool or cotton weave. Often seen with a satiny contrast, damask is used in many bedding products such as comforters, duvets, and bedspreads to create a romantic decor.

Lace- lace is mostly made from a cotton polyester blend.  It can be made from 100% cotton but most lace companies are making lace it with polyester to reduce shrinkage when washed. It features a loose pattern woven into crochet-like designs. Lace gives a touch of country, old world elegance, or romantic design to a room. It is used for window curtains, table clothes, doilies, mantel scarves and runners. You will find that .Heritage Lace is the most popular ready-made lace with beautiful mantel scarves, tableclothes, runners and window curtains.  

Leather- leather is a durable material made from animal hide. The most common leather is made from cow, and it comes in different grades, and most often used in upholstered furniture. Leather is rarely used in bedding. It is occasionally used as trim for decorative pillows--to give a Southwestern feel to a room, for example.  It can ge cleaned by gentle vacuuming, or wiped clean with a damp cloth. Leather conditioners and saddle soap can also be used to keep leather products supple and crack-free.

Linen- linen fabric is used most often in formal home decorating. Most 100% linen fabric needs to be dry cleaned to prevent shrinkage and prolong the live of the linen fabric. 

Moire- moire is either made from a synthetic or silk. It is used to dress window curtains, bedding, or decorative pillows. Moire can also be used to make tableclothes.  Moire is not as commonly found in bedding as much as it was ten years ago, but is more popular today for tableclothes and curtains. When used in curtains, the fall is classic and elegant.

Muslin- Muslin is a woven fabric made from cotton, low in price and found in a wide range of decorative items from slipcovers to tab top curtains. It can be used in an informal room to produce a comfortable, casual feel. When used for slipcovers it is usually woven coarsely for a more durable fabric.

Silk- Silk is an expensive fabric that produces an elegant, romantic look. 100% silk should be professionally cleaned, and only if soiled. Since 100% silk is usually expensive it is wise to use it in low traffic areas. Drapes are often made from silk because the fall is so graceful.  For some wonderful silk curtain options, see our section of Charles Curtain 100% Silk Drapes.

Tencel- tensel is a fabric made from eucalyptus wood pulp. It is a wonderful natural, organic fabric choice. Like bamboo, it is moisture manageable, durable, and environmentally friendly. On the down side, tencel is fairly expensive due to the fact that its production is so new and only three plants in the world currently produce it. However, the price of tencel should fall when additional factories begin tencel production.

Velvet-  velvet is a beautiful, touchable fabric that can be seen anywhere from cocktail dresses to drapes. Is is made from a blend of cotton, linen, silk, or rayon. With its heavy, thick properties, velvet is a great choice for darkening curtains. As a matter of fact, in medieval ages, velvet was used to block chilly drafts from windows. You will see velvet used in decorative pillows, drapes and even comforters. It is a poor choice for upholstering furniture, as it will not hold up to the normal wear and tear of constant seating.

Vinyl- Vinyl is an inexpensive fabric often used in upholstery. It can also be used when making place mats, and tableclothes that can be easily wiped clean. It is a less expensive alternative to leather. However, vinyl will not pass the test of time, as it will stiffen and tear when exposed to the elements.