Decorating Guides
Draperies Lay It on the Lining
Drapery looks and performance rest on the right lining. Here's how to get the best coverage for your needs
The decision process isn't over once you've chosen your drape fabric and style. Lining can make or break the look you're envisioning. What type of lining is necessary? Terms like "bumph," "1-pass lining" and "3-pass lining" can be bandied about, making you wish you had never thought of draperies in the first place. Never fear — here's some practical advice on when to line and when not to line.
The beauty of the sheers does not go unnoticed in this sweet little guest house. I imagine that this location has great weather, so this style of curtain probably keeps prying eyes out rather than the cold. Lining these curtains would detract from the whimsical feeling.
If you have a room that faces the south or east, combining a sheer and a lightweight linen or silk works beautifully. For balance, the sheer here is one-third the length of the curtain. No need to line the other fabric — dappled light is the loveliest light of all. Keep in mind how the drapes look from the outside and make sure all the seams are neat and tidy.
If you like your bedroom dark while sleeping, go for blackout lining on your drapes. You can use fabric that has the blackout acylic membrane already sprayed onto the fabric. If you find this limits your choice of fabrics, use a 3-pass lining to make your finished curtains 100 percent blackout. Use a combination rod and place a sheer curtain behind for those nights when you may prefer a little light. I use bumph in bedroom drapes too, to keep out noise.
Outdoor curtains work best in warmer climates, offering shade and bug protection. These fabrics often don't need extra lining, since they're specifically constructed for these purposes. They defy mildew, moisture and fading. A few sheers will give you the same satisfaction, so do your homework. Weather-resistant hardware means that rust won't ruin your curtain fabric.
A tall window furnished from top to tail requires a lot of fabric — and the same applies to the lining. Lightweight fabric that's twice the width of the window, lined with bumph and 1-pass lining, will achieve the look you want. One-pass lining is a polyester cotton base cloth sprayed with one layer of acrylic to make a membrane; it's usually available in white, ivory and colors. Forgoing the bumph may achieve an even flatter look, but I would hesitate if the window treatment is for a bedroom.
The finer the fabric, the more you will need for your drapes. Silk or faux silk fabrics are a great example of this. If you want to use bumph and lining, talk about the kind of header you want with your curtain maker. Some headers will look untidy when the draperies are open if they look too thick.
Three-pass lining is a polyester cotton base cloth sprayed with white acrylic to make a membrane, followed by a black membrane and then another coat of white acrylic. It may seem like overkill, but if you have a west- or north-facing window, your furniture will thank you.