Fabric for Glass Curtains or Thin Sheer Curtains

Fabric for Glass Curtains or Thin Sheer Curtains

Glass curtains, or thin sheer curtains, have come to be more and more popular hanging alone, with no over draperies. New concepts in light and space have inspired spider-web techniques in gauze with the merest suggestion of plaid; strong glass fibers spun into shimmering fabrics, woven into curtains that seem to shed dust and soil, that launder ready to hang without stretching; soft glowing weaves of acetate rayon, remarkably sturdy for all their look of delicacy; gossamer wool, nylon and vinyon weaves. These sheers are screens that, when used as casement cloths, cut glare from strong daylight, providing a decorative yet unobtrusive accent. They maintain that look of maximum space and close contact with the out-of-doors that modernists treasure.

What are some of the familiar types of materials you encounter when you go to buy fabric for sheer or glass curtains? Most prevalent are the marquisettes in silk, cotton, rayon, nylon, glass fiber, or any similar yarn, square meshed or open meshed, open weave, lightweight fabrics. The newer nylon and fiber glass marquisettes may be more expensive than cotton or rayon, but their makers claim better lasting powers, explaining that they make for economy in the long run since they need less frequent laundering than ordinary marquisette. They won't shrink, and consequently need no alterations. Also, since they won't absorb moisture, they won't wrinkle or rot.

Fabric for Glass Curtains or Thin Sheer Curtains

Ninon, in both cotton and rayon, differs from marquisette in that it is heavyweight (rather than light-weight), closely-woven, (rather than loosely- woven), filmy, and extra fine. Ninon is a type of voile, a plain weave in a cotton or rayon, usually fine and sheer, although it is available in many grades from coarse-open to fine, veil-like material.

Choosing between these two materials in draw draperies for large window expanses in modern rooms can be of more importance than it would seem at the first consideration. If your room is based on rough textures, earthy colors, with an emphasis on natural woods, potteries, and California styles, the filmy smoothness of nino might look just a trifle wrong; whereas it would be just the thing far preferable to marquisette in a room with sleek surfaces, the Far Eastern touch, lacquered ebony, polished brass, spun aluminum, and shining taffeta, or upholstery with metallic accents, taffeta or satin. And again, when choosing between a voile and a marquisette for a glass curtain, think how it will look paired with the over- drapery. A filmy smooth, translucent voile would conceivably look better next to a more formal rayon faille; a marquisette better next to a chintz.

Fabric for Glass Curtains or Thin Sheer Curtains

Grenadine is a fabric similar to marquisette made of silk, mixed with cotton. Loosely woven, it is fine, more transparent than marquisette and made with a dot or figures.

Muslin is a glass-curtain fabric, with an old-fashioned charm that is being brought back by decorators, especially in Dutch curtains for den, kitchen and dinette. Muslin is a firm, plain-weave cotton cloth ranging in weight from thin batiste to heavier sheetings such as percale. Lawn is a sheer muslin, slightly stiffened, with the pattern printed on.

Organdie, which is a sheer stiffened muslin, holds ruffles and flounces better than most sheers, and is a favorite for achieving a fresh, crisp, feminine look, for little girls' rooms, for cottage interiors, for pretty boudoirs. Used as a trimming with eyelet embroidery on chintz it is dainty and appealing.