Lining, Interlining and Fullness: What Makes Drapery Hang Beautifully
The three decisions hidden inside every fine pair of drapes, and how each one changes the way fabric falls, wears and holds its color.
Two pairs of drapes can be cut from the very same fabric and look entirely different on the wall. One hangs in deep, even folds and seems to glow. The other looks thin, hangs flat and shows every seam when the sun comes through. The difference is almost never the face fabric. It is what lies behind it, and how much of it was used.
Fullness: the generosity of the fabric
Fullness is the ratio between the width of fabric in a panel and the width of window it covers. A panel made at two times fullness uses twice as much fabric as the space it spans, and it is that surplus which forms the folds. Pleated drapery is commonly made at two to two and a half times fullness. Sheers, being so light, are often made fuller still. Ripple fold drapery is specified a little differently, as a percentage, with higher figures giving a deeper and more pronounced wave.
Skimping on fullness is the most common false economy in window treatments. A panel that is too lean will look stretched when closed and meager when open. If the budget must give somewhere, a simpler fabric at proper fullness will nearly always look finer than an extravagant one used sparingly.
Lining: the working layer
Lining does several jobs at once. It gives the face fabric body, hides seams and hems against the light, presents a uniform appearance from the street, and takes the brunt of the sun so the decorative fabric does not have to. A standard lining filters light gently. A dim out or blackout lining is the choice for bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms, where darkness is the point.
Interlining: the secret of a luxurious hand
Interlining is a soft, flannel like layer sewn between the face fabric and the lining. It is the reason some drapery has that rounded, almost upholstered quality. It adds weight so the folds fall straight, improves insulation at the glass, softens sound in a room with hard surfaces, and gives delicate fabrics such as silk the protection and substance they need. Silk in particular should rarely be hung without it, since sunlight is hard on unprotected silk.
The details that finish the work
- Deep, double turned hems, which add weight at the bottom and allow for adjustment later.
- Weights at the corners and seams so each panel hangs true.
- Hardware mounted high and wide, so the drapery stacks clear of the glass and the window appears larger.
- A considered length: just touching the floor for a tailored look, or a slight break for something softer.
None of this is visible in a fabric sample, which is why a conversation about how drapery will be made matters as much as the choice of cloth. When the construction is right, the result is felt every time the room is used.
Would you like advice on your own windows?
Request a Quote →
