The
most basic lining is a good quality sateen. A satin weave is more
pliable than a plain weave. My go-to lining is a 100% cotton sateen in
pale ivory. This is the equivalent of wearing a slip under your dress
(fellas--use your imagination!). The lining protects the face fabric
and gives body to the treatment. If the face fabric is white or has a white background, it is important
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with white sateen with ivory sateen
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to choose a white colored lining so that there is no yellowing of the
face fabric. Sateens are also available in tan or putty. Colored linings differentiate custom window treatments from ready-mades
and also have nice curb appeal on dark colored or brick homes.
Interlining is a lining that is sandwiched between the face fabric and the drapery lining. Interlining is primarily used to add body and give a rich elegant look, 
particularly
when used with silk. The interlining layer can be heavy flannel,
English bump, or a 3-layer woven blackout. If you have budget or space
constraints and can't use multiple width panels, consider adding a layer
of interlining to help plump up single width panels. Another option
for the budget conscious client is to use a napped sateen lining with
silk. Napped sateen is a sateen lining that has undergone additional
processing to brush and raise the fibers on one side. Silk
with napped sateen looks much better than silk with only a basic sateen
but it is NOT a replacement for interlined silk draperies!
particularly
when used with silk. The interlining layer can be heavy flannel,
English bump, or a 3-layer woven blackout. If you have budget or space
constraints and can't use multiple width panels, consider adding a layer
of interlining to help plump up single width panels. Another option
for the budget conscious client is to use a napped sateen lining with
silk. Napped sateen is a sateen lining that has undergone additional
processing to brush and raise the fibers on one side. Silk
with napped sateen looks much better than silk with only a basic sateen
but it is NOT a replacement for interlined silk draperies!
Traditional
blackout linings contain several layers of acrylic foam. The layers
block light and provide excellent thermal insulation. In recent years,
there have been several advances in blackout linings making them more
fluid and better draping, but they still have a drawback when used in
roman shades. Pin holes are formed when rings are sewn on the shades. One option to overcome this is to use the technique known as French
blackout where there are four layers in the window treatment: face
fabric - interlining - black sateen - ivory (or white) sateen.
As
a custom workroom to the trade, I stock many different linings and
special order as needed. I discuss lining choices with my designer
clients and quote the best fit for each project/end customer. But I have
been known to switch linings (after talking to the designer) during the
fabrication process because after seeing and touching the face fabric, I
just can't let a window treatment experience a wardrobe
malfunction!
Ripplefold
panels are making a resurgence in residential settings. The clean lines
and smaller stackback are perfect for those large window expanses where
the customer says "I don't want to block any of my view".
