Can You Use Taffeta for Curtains?

Identification

• A high-end fabric, taffeta is a woven material that is made from silk or synthetic fibers. While it is used a lot for formal gowns, including wedding dresses, several manufacturers also use it to create high-end, versatile curtains and wall coverings. Taffeta is either yarn-dyed or piece-dyed. Most window coverings will be yarn-dyed, as this creates a stiffer, more durable material.

Benefits

• Because the fabric is thicker and is sometimes made with silk, taffeta curtains give a room an upscale, elegant look, though homeowners will certainly pay for the look. Also, most taffeta curtains come in the form of drapes, so they work well for large windows, or they can make small windows look larger. Its looks can vary, and you can purchase numerous colors and embellishments to make the look individual to your home. When the curtains or drapes are old or damaged, the fabric can be recycled and used for other home projects, as the fabric itself has a long life expectancy.

Caring for Taffeta

• You should only dry clean taffeta curtains. Do not place them in your home washing machine. If you need to clean them, vacuum them with a hand vacuum. If you are concerned about wrinkled fabrics, iron the taffeta on a low setting, and avoid the steam options. Or let them hang for a few days before putting them up to get rid of as many creases as you can without risking damaging them with the heat of an iron. Though most taffeta curtains are sold with a liner, sunlight can still fade the material. If this becomes a problem, purchase a thicker or darker liner to protect the taffeta from the sun.

Considerations

• A taffeta curtain’s quality will depend on how it was manufactured. Most recently, taffeta is machine woven, yet some is still woven by hand. The hand-woven taffeta will be considerably more expensive, though it is higher in quality. Also, some manufacturers create a faux taffeta that is supposed to mimic the feel of taffeta without the price or quality of a woven taffeta fabric. This often contain a blend of polyester and cotton. Check with the manufacturer about caring for faux taffeta.