Why Storage of New Draperies Is So Important

Drapery length plays the biggest factor in planning and installation. The other factor that you must consider that go into drape length is the weave, embroidery, storage, weight, and fabric content. Let’s address one of these factors. 

A. storage -  

When drapes are produced fabric is taken directly off a bolt (new fabric that is unstressed and folded from factory). This means this unstressed and thereby virgin fabric has not stretched at all. Have you ever had a pair of new jeans fresh from the drier? Those jeans fit nice and snug right? Now after you wear those jeans for a full day maybe two depending on what you do…. That second day those jeans get a little more relaxed and fit looser. Thats because the fabric has relaxed. Now that’s with a small amount of fabric. Imagine what +10ft of fabric will do. 

We all know drapes stretch, but what does storage have to do with this. As mentioned earlier fabric in tailored straight from a bolt. These Draperies are made to order at custom lengths. You might ask, “If I order drapes at 96″ they should be 96″ right?” Well, the short answer is no. You may be thinking, “I pay such a premium they should come at the correct length!” My response to this is “technically”. Before you grab your seam rippers and start trying to look up my address let me explain. 

There is a huge difference in shipped length and stressed length. Again, you may wonder why this is even a thing. There are multiple things to consider. let’s go down this rabbit hole.  

Example 

You just bought Draperies from a manufacture (big box). Most of these companies focus of quantity to stay in business and offer the best prices. These drapes are made from bolts like all other drapes. Most of the time (99%) I feel fabric content and behavior are not taken into consideration. what does this mean for you?  

Let’s say you have a 10ft drape, will it stretch as much as a 20ft drape? OK this is just size. Now consider this, does tight weave fabric like silk stretch like an open weave linen? Of course not! So fabric material, weave, length, and weight all play a factor. 

What in the world does this have to do with storage? This Blog just sound like drape manufactures are at fault! Wrong! They provide you with a drape that you order. You need to consider a few additional factors as a professional when ordering or installing. 

STORAGE / What you can do? 

Back to storage. This is why it’s so important. Have conversations with your suppliers. Do what you can on your side. Ask if they Pre hang draperies? most don’t. So now what can you do as a designer or installer?  

1. If you have the space, you can put your drapes on hangers ahead of time before install. This allows them to stretch a bit before install. Don’t forget to re measure! 
2. You can educate yourself of fabric behavior, weave, embroidery, fabric contents, weight, and other behaviors.  Also, Learn from your mistakes. 
3. Another work around is hand stretch fabric and measure right before mounting hardware and factor in stretch when hanging. Maybe hang drapes 1/2″ higher if you know it’s going to stretch (you develop intuition over time)