Window treatments of a home can serve many purposes. The window coverings can create privacy, frame a beautiful view and can be the focal point of a room. It can provide an elegant, casual, subtle or dramatic background to the rest of the interior decor. As one of the state's most respected window treatment manufacturers, Kreative Kama'aina Enterprises in Honolulu, Hawaii, shares a few insights of common natural fibers used in drapery fabrics that adorn windows (refer to article: Common Engineered Fibers Used in Fabric Draperies). Fabric construction plays an important role in the performance and characteristics of drapery panels such as the feel in one's hand, how the fabric reacts to the sun, and care.  

Natural Fibers - Any textile fiber manufactured from an animal or vegetable source.

1. Cotton
A white vegetable fiber grown in warmer climates in many parts of the world has been used to produce many types of fabric for hundreds of years. Cotton fabric feels good against the skin regardless of the temperature or the humidity. Cotton generally wears excellently in drapery.

Drapability: excellent hang, soft hand
Color Fastness - good
Sun Resistance: excellent, does not sun rot
Abrasion resistance: excellent
Sagging: does not stretch, except when wet
Resiliency: poor, packs easily, wrinkles easily, very absorbent, flammable
Care: wash or dry clean and iron at high temperature.  Always refer to cleaning instructions for drapery. 

2. Linen
Linen is a natural plant fiber and is stronger and more lustrous than cotton. They are excellent in plain or printed fabrics. Linen fibers also performs very well in a casement construction.

Drapability: good hang, but not as soft as cotton
Color Fastness - good to poor, prints do not hold their color as well as plain fabrics
Sun Resistance: excellent, does not sun rot
Abrasion resistance: excellent
Sagging: strong, does not stretch
Resiliency: poor, packs badly, does wrinkle 
Care: dry clean and iron at high temperature. Always refer to cleaning instructions for your drapery. 

3.  Silk
A natural filament fiber produced by the silkworm in the construction of its cocoon. Most silk is collected from cultivated worms. Tussah silk, or wild silk, is a thicker, shorter fiber produced by worms in their natural habitat. Due to poor sun resistance and cost factors, silk drapes are rarely produced. 

Drapability: good hang, medium to soft hand
Color Fastness - good
Sun Resistance: poor, deteriorates in short time, lining recommended
Abrasion resistance: good
Sagging: strong, does not sag
Resiliency: good, does not pack badly 
Care: dry clean and iron at medium temperature.  Always refer to cleaning instructions for your drapery. 

For all your drapery needs, contact the team at Kreative Kama'aina at (808) 841-8731 or visit their website at www.kreativekamaaina.com

Kreative Kama'aina serving Hawaii nei, including Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai.

Kreate the possibilities...Kama'aina Style.