Decoration with fabrics for the home
Striped fabrics, with geometric designs, bold, discreet prints, with warm, cold, dark colors … etc. We have a whole range to dress the house with different home fabrics but first we must recognize all its characteristics to understand the world ofhome textile.
Understand the fabrics for decoration, the different types of tapestries or the world of curtains is a must to know how to decorate a house with fabrics and that the result is satisfactory.
Through the weaving industries Fabrics are manufactured through the union of fibers and threads in different media, finishes, colors, materials and processes in a traditional or industrial way. Distinguishing between them is a difficult choice when practicing the decoration with fabrics when you don't know the different features, so let's go over some key points of interest.
Origin of the fabric and history
Prior to fibers of artificial origin such as polyester or nylon that are widely used in the fabrics for decorationThere were those of animal origin such as cotton or linen that were the most used in the 20th century for the manufacture of fabrics.
Some materials have been used throughout history to make textile fabrics as in the time of the Crusade that they used byiso (very fine textured linen) or in China of more than 6000 years ago and which used hemp for their manufacture.
We want to contribute the following video about a traditional textile factory to realize that behind every fabric there is a complex manufacturing system …
Great inventors developed innovative ideas about textiles over the years using different technologies such as the Frenchman Joseph-Marie Jarcquard, invented a loom with perforated cards in 1801, Wasimoto Tajima who invented the first embroidery machine in Japan in 1962 or Andrés Murillo who used the fabrics as carpeting or upholstery in the home in 1996.
Composition of fabrics and fibers
In the manufacture of ecological fabrics Organic fibers obtained from cultivation are used without synthetic fungicides, pesticides or inorganic fertilizers, so they fully respect the environment.
Among the genres that compose it, they have two types of fibers, such as natural ones with animal origin (llama, cashmere, silk), and vegetable (Manila, hemp, cotton). And artificial with regenerated fibers (viscose), synthetic with chemical compounds (polyester) or minerals (asbestos).
Textile ecolabels
Certification through textile ecolabels, we are talking about the Made in Green. In Europe there are certifications through the Textile Technological Institute, the AITEX (Textile Innovation and Laboratories).
These guarantee that textile fabrics that make up the products that cover their certification have been made through processes free of substances that are harmful to the health of those who use them, which are environmentally sustainable and respect the workers who manufacture them.
The fabric and fabric labels are represented by a stamp «made in Green»Being a pioneering initiative at European and global level in production centers that manufacture and market textile products.
Types of fabrics and fabrics
Although we have a varied range in the classification of fabrics Y types of fabrics, composition and cleaning. Among the different fabrics, a distinction is made between their composition or raw material that forms it.
The types of fabric for decoration They represent a great field of versatility, not only in material, but also in the technology with which they are manufactured. Some of the most used fabrics in the home taking into account the cleaning of the fabrics that is carried out are:
- Dry cleaning: They are some fabrics rich in silks, sophisticated and resistant for upholstery or curtains such as brocade (silver or gold threads), moiré (satin silk in the shape of water) or chintz (satin cotton with a face polished with resin).
- Hand wash: They are the most delicate and some stand out for their rustic appearance such as burlap fabric (jute or bast), for curtains such as cambric (cotton or linen), tulle (mesh made of thread or cotton), originally from China such as shantung fabric (irregular wild silk) or toile de Joly with historical and literary patterned scenes (linen or cotton).
- Low temperature iron: They are distinguished in their labeling by the symbol of the iron with a single point on some fabrics such as corduroy (velvet with a weft), flannel (thick wool ideal for upholstery), tweed (soft wool with houndstooth and speck of color) or tartan (wool in the shape of a Scottish plaid).
- Machine wash: They are the fabrics for home more resistant to washing such as chenille (very common in upholstery and with a velvety appearance), ottoman (thick shiny silk), piqué (cotton with geometric patterns in relief).
And the classification of textile fibers We can see them in the following table:
Using healthy fabrics in home textiles guarantees people's health by integrating green fibers in its composition instead of dyes with toxic substances.
Tips for buying fabrics
Using a certain number of patterns and complementary colors in fabrics can create harmony between the different areas of a room and give continuity to the rooms in the home. We leave a few tips and ideas for decorating with fabric:
Decorate with coordinated fabrics
Geometric designs, stripes, patterns, and solid colors can work together to give a room style and appeal. Fabric manufacturers facilitate their coordination by designing groups of drawings, different fabric prints and complementary solid colors that can be used in any combination.
If you want to decide on the coordinations, it is advisable to unroll the fabrics and compare them on both sides with natural light. Examine fabrics from various angles to judge design and color compatibility.
Always choose the fabric from the same roll
Fabric rolls usually come in batches with different dyes, be careful!… To avoid problems with slight color variations or differences in the printing of the pattern, you have to compare the fabrics for a single roll creation.
Check patterned fabrics to make sure they are printed on the straight thread, this applies to all ranges of decorative fabrics that we can use.
Ask for a sample of fabrics in stores
Consider where the fabric will be used and how it will blend with the other fabrics in the room. So you have to compare!
Most stores have cutouts or fabric samples that sells for decoration. Sometimes, they let you take it for a short period of time, this option will give the opportunity to see the fabric in contrast with the others and with the light of the house, which can be very different from that of the store.
If it is not possible to purchase a fabric swatch it is advisable to order a sample of the roll or purchase a small piece before investing in a larger fabric cut.
Tips for choosing fabric colors
Now touch give some useful tips on the choice of colors on fabrics, is useful to avoid wasting time or spending money in a consistent way:
- The colors that are already in the room. When shopping for fabric, a trick is to bring a small piece of paint from the room and a sample of the carpet or a small cushion if there are any.
- The wood tones in the room. The colors of the fabric can enhance the tones and richness of the wood.
- Color affects mood. Pastel, neutral, and cool tones like blues and some greens are calming. Bright hues and warm colors like reds and yellows tend to stimulate. Dark colors create a cozy atmosphere.
- Colors alter perceptions. These appear darker in contrast to the light background, and lighter compared to dark surfaces. Warm colors make objects appear larger, while cool colors seem to move away. In general, avoid using strong colors in small rooms. We recommend reviewing the article of 11 tricks and ideas to paint walls that you have forgotten where there are several tips on color in rooms.
- Keep in mind the layout of the room. You may want to warm a cold room with warm tones or cool a warm room with light blue tones.
- Dirt stands out more on light tones than on dark ones.
- In the windows, pale colors diffuse light, while dark colors obstruct it. It is advisable to keep a length of fabric in the sunlight to see if the desired effect is achieved.
Last, and most importantly, consider personal preferences. It is a matter of applying these tips and your own tastes to choose the colors and designs of the fabrics that beautify the home and reflect your personal style.
As a note, from the article on color in architecture you will be able to see an App that will help you identify and save the color you like in an easy way with a simple photo.
How to measure to make curtains
We want to emphasize how to calculate fabric for curtains that we need in the home since in many cases it is literally a nightmare if we make a mistake, so we add a video that explains it in detail.
Textile apps to help with decoration
Thanks to technology we already have different tools and applications in the style of Textile apps that will help us organize or determine the best fabric for our room. The different textile applications to decorate that we advise and that have a Spanish version are:
- To organize fabrics with the CoraApp. It is simple to use and in Spanish (Only Iphone). You take a photo, upload it and add the type of fabric, measurements, colors, where you bought it, for which interior design project you want it … etc. Useful if you work with a lot of different fabric patterns.
- A good textile encyclopedia. Is a Textile App In 3D and in Spanish that has received different awards with more than 500 references and all kinds of information, we are talking about Textilae. Possibly more aimed at professionals and you have to buy it, but of course, it is amazing!
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