Linen Curtain Fabric - Soft Furnishing

How to choose quality linen curtain fabric

To find the perfect linen curtain fabric for your space, we recommend you keep in mind the following:

• Fibre quality: Look for 100% linen fabric, as this guarantees all of the natural benefits of linen, including durability. Yes, good quality linen is very durable and will last a long time because of its strong natural flax fibres. What's more, linen ages well, and can be easily washed and ironed to look just like new. Just remember that while linen can be ironed at a somewhat higher temperature than cotton, it will scorch if the iron temperature is set too high.
• Weight: Middle-weight fabrics between 150 to 200 gsm (gram per square metre) are ideal for curtains. This weight provides enough structure for the curtains to drape well, offers a degree of privacy, and lets some light through. You can of course opt for heavyweight fabrics that sit between 200 to 600 gsm for warm curtains that showcase that quintessential linen look.
• Weave: Loosely-woven linen tends to be lightweight and breathable, and can give your space a casual, airy feel. It's ideal for sheer curtains. By contrast, tightly-woven linen is a bit heavier, more durable, and less prone to wrinkling.
• Finish: Stonewashed and prewashed linen curtain fabric is softer than classic linen and less likely to shrink after the first wash. They're perfect for creating a soft but elegant style. If you prefer curtains with a bit more structure, then we'd recommend opting for classic linen curtain fabric that's untreated.
• Colour and pattern: When it comes to choosing colours and patterns for your linen curtain fabric, we'll refrain from offering advice as it's best to trust your instinct and design preferences. What we would say is that you should make sure OEKO-TEX certified dyes have been used. These are dyes which are low-impact and free from harmful chemicals. We also recommend you order free samples to make sure your linen curtain fabric meets your expectations in terms of texture, colour, and weight. We guarantee there's a world of difference between samples viewed online versus in natural light. (This is due to different computers having different colour display settings.)

Read our guides on how to how to measure curtains, curtain fullness, curtain length or drop to sew the perfect set of curtains for your space.