Linen is a classic fabric that has been in use for thousands of years

Linen is a classic fabric that has been in use for thousands of years. It is a natural fibre and offers the perfect balance between billowy and tailored, which makes it an ideal fabric for both traditional and modern drapery. However, linen is a fairly delicate material that needs to be handled with care to avoid shrinking or stretching out of shape.

To help with this, linen is often blended with another fabric - often either cotton or rayon. Cotton is a strong and affordable fabric that can add strength and durability to your curtains, while rayon is a unique fibre that imitates the look of other fabrics, making it an excellent choice for blending with linen.

It's a simple, light linen fabric that can be used as a sheer curtain. It looks stunning against the light and brings a fresh, natural style to your home. This is a great option for people who want to filter out the sunlight, but don't want to lose their privacy and natural light.

Pure linen is a very delicate fabric that moves with humidity, which can cause it to become wavy and uneven over time. Because of this, it can be difficult to keep it looking its best - especially in humid climates like New Zealand. In addition to this, pure linen can attract mould and mildew if it is not washed regularly.

Because linen blends are so long-lasting, they are a smart and eco-friendly alternative to pure linen fabric. They are also wrinkle resistant, easy to care for and hypoallergenic - making them a great choice for families with sensitive skin. These qualities also make them very family-friendly, as they can be cleaned and maintained easily without the risk of shrinking or fading.

When choosing linen for your window treatments, it's important to think about where you want the curtains to fall. The most common placement is to have them start about six inches above the window, but you can also choose to have them extend further out than this if you prefer. Alternatively, you can have them land gently on the floor, known as pooling or 'puddled'.

Once you've decided on the placement of your linen curtains, it's time to choose a heading style. Pencil pleat is a classic and stylish option, or you can go for a more laid back tab top style. You can even decide to have your linen curtains lined, which will increase their thermal properties and keep them in better condition. Adding a liner will also give your curtains added privacy, as they will block out around 40-50% of the light that would otherwise come through your windows.