FABRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE

These characteristics are not considered defects and therefore, not reasons for returning fabric.

BOW, BIAS AND SEAM MATCHING

The industry standards are 1-1/2" to 2" on bowing and bias. Certain types of print and solid patterns may have difficulty with seams matching.

BROCADE PATTERNS

These fabrics may have a rippling effect which is a natural characteristic of jacquard weaves.

DRY CLEANING

Use a reputable dry cleaner who specializes in home furnishing. Dust has impurities which affect fabrics. Vacuum fabrics often. Dry cleaning should be at regular intervals before excessive soil has accumulated. Very few fabrics are washable.

DYELOT MATCH

If an exact dyelot match is required, please send swatch of material for match. Otherwise, we will ship the dyelot as close to the sample as our stock permits. We cannot accept the return of cut yardage material for full credit because the dyelot is off, in cases where a swatch was not sent with the order for match.

FINISHES

Applied finishes may help fabrics resist soil and stains, but they are not necessarily the end-all to every problem. Light colors are likely to benefit most. Dining room chairs will soil no matter what is used. A finish does not eliminate the necessity of properly caring for fabrics.

FLARING

Flaring custom drapery returns is a natural characteristic of many fabrics, especially those woven from synthetic fibers. If flaring is a problem with your client, we recommend memory stitching when fabricating custom draperies. Some casements and polyesters have a tendency to flare. Flaring is not a reason for return.

HANDWOVEN AND/OR SILK FABRICS

Many silk fabrics are created by home hand weavers thus creating unique qualities. Handwoven fabrics also contain these unique qualities. Definitely expect dyelot variations, inconsistent weaving, heavy threads, wrinkling, flaws, colored yarns, holes, pattern repeats that vary within the same yardage, loose threads, missing yarns and threads, missing beads, pearls, and incomplete appliques will be expected. Puckering around embroidered silks and inconsistent embroidery are natural characteristics. Iridescent metallic silks will drastically change color when exposed to sunlight. Protect all silks from direct and indirect sun as fading is common. These characteristics are not considered a defect and therefore are not reasons for returning fabric. Bow and bias may be in excess of industry standards. These fabrics may also have a tendency to stretch in length.

HEAT SENSITIVE FABRICS

Many fibers used in drapery fabric construction are sensitive to heat and can cause puckering and hiked hems. Polyester is the most sensitive to heat and must be fabricated with a cool iron only. Acrylic and modacrylic fibers are also sensitive to heat. When measuring a drapery prior to fabrication, check to make sure that the drapery will not hang over a hot air duct or a baseboard heater. This kind of heat will often affect the drapery once it is hung.

MOIRE FABRICS

Moire fabrics have a tendency to fluctuate in length. Shrinkage is very common. They are sensitive to variations in humidity & shrinkage is very likely. Moires have a tendency to shrink due to excessive steaming and ironing or being close to heating vents.

PATTERN REPEAT

Pattern repeat, as listed in this catalog and on samples is approximate only, and can vary slightly from one printing to the next. Hence, we recommend that you order several additional inches to avoid possible shortage. WE CANNOT ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL LENGTH BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE DUE TO REPEAT VARIANCE FROM THE CATALOG OR SAMPLE PRINTING.

PUCKERING

It is natural for some fabrics (i.e hammered satins, satin stripes) to have a puckered or slightly wrinkled appearance. This is a characteristic of today's more relaxed, casual fabric constructions.

SHEERS

Sheers will intensify in color when made into a drapery. Fold a sheer sample three times for a true color reading. Darker sheers have more of a tendency to fade in the window than lighter sheers.

SQUARE PRINTING

Fabric is not a completely stable "substance" and should not be taken for granted that, whether printed or woven, the pattern will be completely "square" upon the cloth. In printing, every effort is made to avoid distortion, but occasionally it will exist. When planning multiple-width fabrications, wallcoverings or bedspreads, please make certain BEFORE CUTTING, that the pattern alignment is adequate to produce a satisfactory result. This also applies to woven fabrics.

SHRINKING AND LENGTH FLUCTUATIONS

Be tolerant of normal fluctuations in lengths of draperies. Few fabrics are completely stable. Fabrics breathe and absorb moisture, resulting in stretching or shrinking. Fabrics placed over or near heating and cooling vents may react to a much greater degree to stretching and fading. Wesco will not be responsible should this situation occur. A 2% to 3% change is reasonable. You should allow sufficient fabric in the hems for later adjustments, should it be necessary. Moire and some cotton fabrics have a tendency to shrink. Fabrics that are steamed or ironed often shrink.

SILKS (See Handwoven)

SUN PROTECTION

Fabrics should be protected from the sun. Wesco Fabrics does not guarantee against fading or color fastness. Draperies should be lined. Shades should be drawn during the day and awnings should be used whenever possible. Window glass magnifies the destructive elements in the rays of the sun. The winter sun and reflection from the snow are even more harmful than the summer sun. Colors can fade by oxidation, "gas fading", if fabrics are kept in storage for too long a period without airing. Some colors are more sensitive than others. Impurities in the air may cause as much fading as direct rays of the sun.

SYNTHETIC FIBERS

Despite the impressive strides in the advancement of the technology of weaving synthetic fibers, performance will vary with the construction of the fabric and its application. Whole or partial synthetic constructions may have a tendency to adversely react more readily to atmospheric conditions than natural fibers.

Fabrics woven with synthetic fibers are sensitive to heat, sunlight and steam. Shrinking, hiking seams, puckering and flaring are common characteristics.

WASHED GOODS

Washed fabrics are processed to achieve a casual and soft appearance. Characteristics such as wrinkling, fading, and puckering are normal. widths may vary and may be less than 54" wide. Bow and bias may be in excess of industry standards and guidelines.

WEAR AND TEAR

Fabrics wear out, they are not indestructible. Wear will vary with the amount of use. Some weaves are stronger than others. A favorite chair will not last as long as a seldom used show piece.

WRINKLING

Occasional wrinkling is a characteristic of linen and cotton blend fabrics.