Types of Voile Linen Fabric
- Linen is woven thick in this example but is thin in voile fabrics.rustic linen fabric background image by GoodMood Photo from Fotolia.com
Voile is a sheer or semi-sheer fabric constructed in a plain weave with silk, rayon, cotton, wool or linen. The name was adapted from French in the 1850s, and this material was often used for dresses and home furnishings in France at the time. Voile is lightweight and transparent, and works well as a base layer in window treatments, letting light through while preserving privacy. Linen is one of the strongest natural fibers, made from the flax plant. It holds its shape very well, but is also easily wrinkled. Linen can be mixed with other fibers to create fabrics with a range of other properties. - In order to increase the materials flexibility and resistance to wrinkles, the linen can be mixed with polyester. A curtain made of 80 percent polyester and 20 percent linen will be less likely to fade or weaken in the sun, and will also be easier to care for, and possibly machine-washable. Viscose and cotton may also be added to the mix, especially if the curtain has a pattern of stripes or dots sewn into it. Materials used for curtains are often treated with other flame-retardant chemicals for safety reasons, although not all.
- Floral embroidery in cotton or polyester thread is popular on voile linen curtains, because of their stiff decorative nature. Certain dress fabrics could also fit this description. Voile is used as a soft outer layer for evening wear. The stiffness of the material creates the flowing effect of drapery around the body. Stripes can also be woven into voile linen fabric in other fibers or embroidered on top of the material to create patterns with regular repeats. Common colors for voile with embroidery are a variety of crèmes or off-whites sometimes accented by leaf or flower patterns in pastel greens and pinks. The style of the material is soft and feminine.
- Open weave uses thread woven with more open space between each row.Brown weave Pattern image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
Open weave voile means that the threads are spaced farther apart and the fabric is subtly more transparent than a normal or tight weave. Though voile is always classified as a sheer fabric, it has a range of thickness and transparency that can be tested for the ideal amount of blocked light. Open weave voile linen makes a good summer fabric because its breath-ability and lift, meaning that it does not cling to the body. Voile made of cotton is more popular for clothing because of its softness. Linen for apparel is often blended to create a strong yet relaxed material for comfortable shirts, pants and dresses.
