As a fabric, silk has always been synonymous with sophistication, class and luxury. What makes silk drapery a favorite with consumers and designers is its versatility. You can hang it in thick folds and enjoy the sheen and gloss of the material or hang it in sheer folds of wispy material. The fact that there is a large variety to choose from also adds to the popularity of this drapery.

Some of the most popular varieties of silk drapery are:

Brocades: Thick and lined, the embossed designs on brocades impart a formal sophistication to any room.

Charmeuse: This silk is stiff and lined with crepe.

Italian Doupioni: This is generally used in expensive silk drapery and is made of very fine silk.

Chiffon: Most people know what chiffon silk looks like. Light, airy and sheer, they look great and are easy to maintain.

Georgette: Georgette silk drapery is immensely popular. These are crinkled drapes and are a blend between chiffon silk and charmeuse.

Raw silk: As the name suggests, the texture is raw and rough - something slightly removed from the satiny look of silk.

Satin: Who hasn't seen or fallen in love with the sheen of satin? Satin looks rich and sophisticated and is durable.

Although this drapery is popular, some people like to use them seasonally. Summer is the best time of the year for silks because the warmth of the sun keeps the material dry and airy. In the winters and monsoons, silk has a tendency to become moldy.

Important things to remember when using silk drapery:
Silks tend to wrinkle. It also stains quickly. Therefore, silk drapery requires lots of loving care and attention. In case of wrinkles, it is advisable to use a steam iron to lift the wrinkles off the silk drapes.

Hand washing silk drapes gives them a brighter sheen and a softer look. But, inferior quality silk might fade or shrink if they are washed at home. To avoid nasty surprises, it is better to test washing a small portion of the drapery first.

Washing silk curtains is easy though some amount of caution is necessary. There is no need for expensive silk soaps. Store bought mild detergents are more than equal to the job. First, soak the silk drapery in lukewarm soapy water. After a few minutes, rinse out the soap with cool water. To remove any residue of soap, rinse the curtains in a mixture of water and white vinegar.

Leave the curtains on a flat surface to dry. In case of wrinkles, use a steam iron gently on the surface.