Gingham curtains were initially used in one’s kitchen, but over time it became common to use them in other areas of the house as well. Gingham curtains are checkered curtains in which the most common version is made from a plain weave fabric that is strong and durable and the iconic graphic for cottage decor. The weft or woof thread is drawn over and under parallel threads that are termed the warp. The word Gingham is a word that was derived from the Malaysian word “ginggang” and the Dutch word “ginang”, both refer to the stripes in the fabric. In the beginning of the 1600′s, the Dutch began to export the fabric to England. The fabric soon after made its way to the American colonies where textile production would soon become established and the familiar pattern soon became popular in the homesteading pioneers.
Blue and whites were the most popular original colors of the gingham material design that featured yarn-dyed cotton woven in stripes. Soon after being imported into England the material began to evolve into one that featured plaids and checks. Stripes would remain popular until the end of the Victoria era around 1900, however. It was in the middle of the 20th century that checked gingham became popular in the United States and the iconic material featured in many a girl’s bedroom.
The unique character of the orignal gingham fabric was derived from woven material the patterns used and manner of dying. The first fiber used was cotton, with a striped pattern and only the warp or parallel threads being dyed. The same appearance could be seen on each side with no right or wrong side. A deep color such as red gingham curtains was given balance to by its lightweight characteristics and this provided a feeling of warmth in the rooms of the simplest of homes.
Many purists will argue that gingham curtains must only be made from cotton fabric in which the cotton only woven after it has been dyed, however the makeup of contemporary curtains varies. A colored check and white combination as used almost universally in all curtains, although occasionally stripes will appear. The pure cotton fabric tends to wrinkle, so in practice most gingham curtains use a mix of cotton with synthetic fiber with some materials using olefin, a material that is sensitive to heat requiring different care than the traditional cotton curtain.
Gingham curtains can spruce up any room of your house, where you want to create a “country” feel. Curtain styles come in a wide variety of colors and materials, from traditional cotton to more contemporary blends that resist the problems of wrinkling.
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