Exciting Windows! by Craig & Darlene Rhodes

Polyesters are made from unlikely products – petroleum, coal, air and water. But they are pretenders frequently used by decorators. Polyester fiber is made into many different fabric types. It has a high degree of resilience and elasticity allowing fabrics to hold their shape and resist wrinkling. Polyester is frequently added to natural fabrics. When added to wool or cotton, polyester adds washability and greater resistance to spots and stains. It also helps cotton resist rotting and spotting. It adds wearability, allowing heat-set creases (permanent press). It is a strong fiber, durable on its own and adds durability to any blended fabric.

Polyester resists fading and deterioration from sunlight. It holds its shape and has good strength. Its limitations include susceptibility to abrasion, a tendency to hold oil-borne stains and piling.

Our next topic will be Acrylics …

Nylon hit the world with a splash in 1939 when its inventor (DuPont) used it for women’s hosiery. Until then, women’s stockings were made only from silk; they were extremely expensive and because of Asian unrest, the needed silk became almost impossible to obtain. Nylon has lived up to its advertising slogan as the miracle fabric. Shortly after being introduced as hosiery, it went to war in the form of parachutes.

Nylon threads are made by spinning and stretching yarns from a syrup of chemicals. When color is added to the chemicals while still liquid, the fabric is usually color fast. Next to fiberglass, which is rarely used in fabrics anymore, nylon is the strongest of all textile fibers, with the highest abrasion resistance, This makes nylon desirable for carpeting and upholstery.

However, nylon has low resistance to sunlight and heat. It will lose strength and deteriorate over time. It also conducts static electricity and has a harsh hand. Nylon’s use in ddrapery fabrics is limited.

Our next post will mention polyester…

Rayons, acetates and triacetates are man-made fibers produced from cellulose such as cotton linters or wood chips, to which various chemical solvents are added. When a French scientist reproduced the chemical actions of a silkworm feeding on mulberry leaves and spinning a cocoon, he came up with a sort of artificial silk. This new fiber, produced from wood pulp, was called rayon. Because rayon is made from plant material, it is sometimes called a man-made natural fiber. Rayon dyes better than other synthetics, withstands strong sunlight better than silk and produces a durable, economical fabric. However, it does not wash well and wrinkles easily.

Acetates are truly synthetic fabrics, since they contain synthetic protein (cellulose). Acetates are available in a wide range of colors and a variety of weaves. One step in the process of producing acetate includes dissolving particles in acetone. This same substance is found in nail polish removers, perfumes, air fresheners and bug sprays. Therefore, any of these acetone-based products can make holes in the fabric by dissolving it. Acetates normally have a high luster and are frequently used alone or combined with other substances, to create satin, taffeta, and other silk-like fabrics. That they cannot be cleaned well is a major drawback of acetates, but they do not rot and do hold colors well.

Triacetates are related to acetates but include more synthetic cellulose to give them extra body. In addition, because less acetone is used, triacetates can withstand greater amounts of heat, which means that they can be treated for permanent press. Triacetates fall in beautiful gathers and can be cleaned or washed without particular effort or concern.

Our next post will be about Nylon…

What looks and acts like natural fiber but isn’t the real thing? Synthetic fiber. Man-made fibers attempt to duplicate the advantages – and eliminate the disadvantages – of natural fibers. To a great extent, they have succeeded. The color brilliance of silk and the beautiful wearabilityof wool and linen are not exactly equaled by synthetics, but their versatility and lower prices make them very popular – even in the most expensive interiors. Frequently, synthetics are mixed with natural fibers to derive the qualities from both.

More on these fibers, tomorrow…

Ancient Egyptians wrapped their dead in flax, and the fabrics covering those mummies have survived to this day! Linen, made from the stems of flax, is the oldest of all textile fibers. Linen is especially durable, second only to silk in strength among natural fibers, and is an excellent choice when you need a sturdy fabric that is lightweight in appearance.

But beware, linen, while beautiful and long-lasting, has failed many an uninformed decorator. Its strong cellulose fibers are very difficult to dye. A beautiful printed linen fabric on a chair may appear to fade on the seat and back area in a very short time. Actually, the problem is not due to fading; the dye, which was never able to impregnate the fibers, is simply wearing off. In such a case, the actual fabric will far outlive its pretty print. Even when linen is dyed evenly, plan on some fading. This is not always a negative factor since fading can give it a very comfortable appearance. But you should consider this point before deciding to use linen on a particular item.

With today’s technological advances, some linen is dyed well enough so that the print will hold up nearly as long as the fabric. To test the linen, simply turn it over. If the design colors showing through on the back are at least half as strong as the top pattern, the colors should last. On most linens, design dye simply sits on top and the back is off-white with little trace of dye. When this is the case, either choose another fabric or switch to a natural colored linen and add interest by using patterned throw pillows of another fabric.

We’ll discuss synthetic fibers next…

Do you cotton to cotton? You aren’t alone. It seems everybody from decorators to athletes like cotton. Why? It is easy to sue and to live with. This versatile fabric is made from the flower of the cotton plant. Cotton soils and wrinkles easily, but it can be cleaned and ironed smooth again. Because cotton readily absorbs moisture and releases it quickly, it is an ideal summer fabric. Since it is simple to launder without harming the fiber, cotton fabric is ideal for slipcovers or other items that receive heavy use or require frequent cleaning.

Cotton is a favorite of upholsterers. It doesn’t unravel when cut; it stretches evenly without puckers; it feels smooth to the touch; it accepts dyes well; and is fade-resistant. It is far less expensive than silk or wool. And it is virtually non-allergenic.

Some heavy cotton weaves wear quite well. Cotton corduroy, sometimes referred to as cut velvet, wears very well. Batiste, broadcloth, calico, chintz, denim, gingham, percale, velveteen and voile were all originally fashioned only from cotton. Negative characteristics include wrinkling, shrinking and low abrasion resistance tendencies.

Next on the agenda, Linen.

Wool fabric is particularly valued for its fine body and durability. Wool continues to be considered a fabric of quality, although its use in home furnishings is limited primarily because of competition from lower cost synthetic fibers.

Wool is an animal fiber with exceptional resilience. Because it adjusts so easily, wool upholstery looks taut and unwrinkled and will not develop stretch waves with use.

Another fine characteristic of wool is its colorability. It accepts dye beautifully. Wool resists spots and stains if given immediate care. Wool fiber is the weakest natural fiber, but the fabric is made more durable through the use of selected grades of wool and hard twisted ply yarns.

The type of wool yarn and its construction determine the type of finished woolen fabric made from it. Fabrics are made of thin or thick, fluffy wool yarn and are soft to the touch. Worsted wool fabrics are produced from combed yarns to remove short, loose fibers. The resulting yarn is firmer, tougher and thinner. Worsted fabrics can be more tightly woven, are less bulky and much smoother and stronger than non-worsted.

Of course, wool does have a few limitations. Unless woven in a very tight weave, it is casual in appearance and not appropriate for semi-formal or formal decorating schemes. Also, the price of good wool upholstery fabric often prohibits its use. In addition, unless wool is processed, it can emit an undesirable odor, especially in damp climates. Finally, some people are allergic to wool.

What do camels, vicunas and Kashmir goats have in common? Their furry bodies produce different types of wool. These wools are particularly valued for their softness and are seldom, if ever, worsted. Camel hair, vicuna and cashmere are all more expensive that the finest of other wools. Use these luxury fabrics on rare occasions, and only when they won’t receive lots of wear, such as for decorative pillows.

Cotton is the next topic of discussion…

It takes 36,000 silk caterpillars 60 days and one ton of mulberry leaves to produce 12 pounds of raw silk. This reduces down to even less fine silk. So if you ever question the high value placed on silk fabric, just remember these facts:

• Silk accepts dye better than any other fabric, which means it can be made in the most beautiful assortment of colors possible. Intricately detailed patterns are produced crisply and clearly on silk, and no other fabric has its elegant, soft sheen.
• Silk is very durable when the fabric is well constructed. Its use for parachutes is the highest recommendation that can be given for the strength of its fiber. The great length of the filament, a factor in strength, imparts smoothness to the constructed cloth.

Its rich colors, delicacy, and high cost have earned silk the nickname, “the fabric of royalty.” This high quality fabric sets a tone of formality and elegance in a room. Because of its special qualities and regal associations, many people love to have silk used in their interiors. However, it should be used only where it will be subject to a minimum amount of wear from sitting, rubbing or pulling. Also, its use in fabrics for window treatments is limited as it performs poorly in sunlight (it will rot in a short time).

Tomorrow, we’ll discuss wool.