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Oct 30, 2014
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FABRIC ELEMENTS
• Fiber & Yarn
• Fabric Construction
• Design & Color Application
• Common Fabric Classifications
End Use
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NATURAL PLANT FIBERS
Photo Credits: Cotton Australia, Equa Fair Trade Fashion, Janata Jute
CottonDraperies, Roman Shades, Roller Shades, Upholstery
Flax/LinenDraperies, Roman Shades, Upholstery
Jute/BambooWoven Wood Shades, Rugs, Carpet, Towels
Popular, Many Uses,Inexpensive
Guaranteed to Wrinkle - in a
Good Way!
Durable, with a rich texture
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NATURAL ANIMAL FIBERS
SilkDraperies, Roman Shades, Upholstery, Rugs, Carpet
WoolUpholstery, Rugs, Carpet
Photo Credits: Buzzle, Bure Bure
Lustrous, Not LightfastMore Costly
Durable,Versatile,Rich Color
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MAN MADE FIBERS
Photo Credits: Skoeber, Pedro Szekely, Tsuda
Rayon/Cellulose• Regenerated wood pulp• Draperies, Roller Shades,
Upholstery
Fiberglass• Derived from sand/silica
heated to melting point• Vertical Blinds
Polyester/Vinyl• Derived from petroleum• Poly: Draperies,
upholstery, most window shades
Popular, Versatile,
Often Not Durable
Flame Retardant,
Durable
Fewer Wrinkles,Inexpensive
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FIBER TO YARN
Photo Credits: Paradise Fibers
Yarn…
• Most fabrics are made from yarn.
• Filament yarns make fine, lustrous fabrics and are made of continuous strands of fiber made from silk or man made materials; yarns can be mono or multifilament.
• Staple fibers are spun into yarns that tend to be softer. Multiple fiber types are often combined. Natural fibers other than silk are always staple, and any man-made fiber can be cut to a staple length.
Staple FiberAny type of fiber in short lengths
Filament FiberSilk or man-made
fiber in continuous
strands
Yarn
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FABRIC CONSTRUCTIONS
Photo Credits: Blinds.com, Ryj/Wikipedia, CottonGuide, Interchopen,
Woven• Vertical and horizontal
yarns (warp and weft) interlace to form a fabric.
• The majority of interior fabrics are woven.
• Most fabrics we’ll be showing you today.
Knitted• Yarns create interlocking
loops to form a fabric• Horizontal Sheer Shadings
and Macrame Verticals are knitted
Nonwoven• Raw fibers are bonded
with heat, entanglement or chemicals to form a fabric.
Plain Weave
Nonwoven Close-Up
Warp Knit
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DESIGN & COLOR: PIECE DYEDThe whole “piece” of material is dyed after the fabric is
produced. Multi colored effects can be achieved if different fibers are used. Piece dyed fabrics are the same color, front and back. Often the texture of the fabric will
show through.
Photo Credits: Blinds.com
Drapery: Velvet
Pleated Shade: Cove
Roman Shades:Palm
Roller Shades: Light Filtering
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DESIGN AND COLOR: YARN DYED
Yarns are dyed before the fabric is created.
Photo Credits: Blinds.com
Outdoor Shades:Beachside Dockside
Draperies:Troika
Roller Shades:Hartford
Roman Shades:Ikat
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DESIGN & COLOR: WOVEN IN
The pattern is created in the weave. Dobby Weaves are simple textures. Jacquard Weaves can be very complex.
In the kit: Charleston, Bombay and Savannah are Jacquards
Photo Credits: Blinds.com
Roman Shade:Herringbone
Drapery:Bombay
Roller Shades:Steppe
Roman Shade:Damask
Jacquard WeavesDobby Weaves
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DESIGN & COLOR: PRINTED
A pattern is applied to the face of the fabric, and is usually only visible on one side.
Photo Credits: Blinds.com
Cellular Shades:Wheat
Roman Shades:Essence
Roller Shades:Linen Stripe
Drapery: Granada
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KNOW YOUR FABRICS
Photo Credits: Blinds.com
Plain, Duck, Broadcloth or CanvasPlain or basket weave, solid color, usually inexpensive.
Drapery:Wilmington
TwillBasic weave that forms a diagonal pattern.
HerringboneTwill variation that forms a chevron pattern.
Roman Shade:Herringbone
13Photo Credits: Blinds.com
Satin, Sateen, Antique SatinCompact weave with fewer interlacings to create a lustrous surface
Drapery:Wilmington
ShantungWoven fabric with strong horizontal slub; originally silk.
Drapery:Bravo
Velvet/Velveteen/CorduroyWoven or knitted with cut pile on the surface. Chenille has a similar effect, but it is the yarn that adds the surface texture.Roman Shade: Velvet Sheen
KNOW YOUR FABRICS
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Jacobean BotanicalRefers to an allover, classic floral inspired by English gardens.Drapery:Kayo
Trellis or Tile PatternBasic design inspired by tile patterns.
Roman Shades:Wilmington
Acanthus, Brocade, DamaskClassic, leaf-inspired pattern. Can be jacquard or printed.
Roman Shade:Hanna
KNOW YOUR FABRICS
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IkatA currently popular technique that imitates an old craft technique where the warp yarns were dyed prior to weaving.Roman Shade:Granada
Awning StripeLarger-scale stripe, usually 2 colors.
Roman Shades:Broad Stripe
Ticking StripeSimple 2 color, small scale stripe
Roman Shade:Ticking Stripe
KNOW YOUR FABRICS
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LET’S START DECORATING!
• How much light do you want?• Need insulation?• What are your colors?• Are your windows a focal point
or a backdrop?
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PRO SAMPLE TIPS• See fabrics in person for a
perfect match. • Hang them around the house
for 24 hours. • Hold them up to woodwork, walls,
furniture.• Poll your friends!
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Q+A
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CHECK OUT THE FABRICS 101
INFOGRAPHIC!
See it here: http://blnds.cm/fab101infographic