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Though plain curtains are common, the patterned ones are more popular as they provide variety and a higher aesthetic value but needs to be planned carefully. The patterns can also be used to signify certain theme and to express various moods. Woven patterns are more distinctive than the printed ones that are done on woven fabrics. The patterns can be grouped into following categories.
The overall pattern is created when the pattern covers the entire area of the fabric. Practically no background space is made visible. The closely woven or printed patterns seem to merge with the background space.
Small neat pattern is another type of pattern which is spread all over the fabric. It is different from the previous one in the sense that they are evenly spaced and a certain amount of background space is made visible. The design therefore appears tidier which are normally woven or printed on a pale color against a dark background or vice versa. Thus they make a striking contrast when looked from a distance.
Bold sharp pattern is another type of pattern which can be done as checks, stripes, animated or broken up patches of color or sheer abstract patterns. Most of these are strong in color. These patterns can be done either in two or more colors. The pattern effects are created either at the time of weaving or printed after the fabric is woven. The most popular of all patterns are the natural floral patterns or geometrical patterns such as squares, triangles, circles etc. They are evenly spaced and so appear attractive. Such patterns give weight to the fabric. They become more conspicuous and contrasting when the patterns are made in contrasting colors. Sometimes a combination of two or more of these patterns is also produced to give variety, and to provide striking results. Points to decide as to how much pattern to use:
- While deciding the furnishings the size of the room, the patterns used on furnishing floor, wall and ceiling are to be taken into consideration.
- A patterned rug or a patterned wall paper calls for plain draperies. If a room has uninteresting furniture or is dull for other reasons, it should be enlivened by an attractive contrasting pattern in the drapery fabric.
- Since draperies hang in folds, patterns should be viewed in folds.
- It is necessary to keep a balance between plain and patterned areas in a room. Pattern should cover at least one-third of a room, and the remaining two-thirds as plain.
- Patterns also give some effects in a room. A pattern with wide upright stripes makes the wall to look higher. A pattern with stripes going across make the room looks wider.
- In a really small room, draperies with large pattern can be over powering similarly, in a large room, a small pattern can almost disappear, or look dull and feeble.
- The age, likes and dislikes of the user of the room needs to be considered. For ex: animated or stylized patterns for children’s room are appreciated.
Fabrics used:
The texture of the drape curtains must agree with the mood and style of the room. A variety in texture is necessary, but extremes of contrasting textures must be avoided, because extremes of contrast are incompatible and makes the room restless. Points to remember for selecting of fabrics are as follows.
- General rooms need natural cottons, casement cloth, voile, gauze, organdy, colored sheeting, handloom fabrics etc.
- Delicate rooms require fabrics like silk, satin, chiffon, taffeta, velvet etc.
- Elegant stately rooms require raw silk, silk, satin, damask, brocade, metallic cloth, linen , Velvet or other high-grade textiles.
- Modern rooms can use either the new sleek shiny composition fabrics or the boldly textured novelty weaves or polyester blends which can provide contrast for modern smoothness.
- Rubber, plastic or cell-phone sheets are meant for shower curtains and may be used for bath and kitchen windows.
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