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Short answer
Compare fabric samples by testing each one the same way at home, in seven quick checks. Hold it to the window, look at it morning and night beside your walls and sofa, fold it into pleats, rub it, scratch it gently, scrunch it, and read the label. Narrow your shortlist to two or three, then ask for larger cuttings before deciding.
What are the seven tests?
| Test | How | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Light | Hold it against the window | Sheer, dimout or blackout; weave evenness |
| 2. Colour | Look morning, afternoon and night, beside walls and furniture | How the colour changes in your light |
| 3. Folds | Gather it into pleats | How it drapes at full fullness |
| 4. Rub | Rub firmly with your palm for a minute | Pilling and fuzzing |
| 5. Scratch | Scratch gently with a fingernail | Snagging; pet-friendliness |
| 6. Crease | Scrunch it in your hand for 30 seconds | How much it creases |
| 7. Label | Read composition, width, weight and rub count | Whether it suits the job |
How do you read the results?
- Light: a sheer should look even, not blotchy; a dimout should hide shapes behind it. See Blackout vs Dimout vs Sheer.
- Rub: fuzz or little balls on a sample will be worse on a sofa after a year. See What Is Fabric Pilling?
- Scratch: if threads lift into loops, claws will do the same. See Pet-Friendly Sofa Fabric.
- Crease: deep creases that stay suggest a linen or cotton-rich fabric. See Crease-Resistant Fabric.
- Label: check the rub count for seating and the width for curtains. See How to Read a Fabric Sample Book.
Tip
Photograph each sample at the window at the same time of day, with its label in the shot. Comparing photos side by side makes the shortlist easier.
What should you avoid when testing samples?
- Judging colour on a phone screen or under a single lamp. See Buying Curtain Fabric Online.
- Wetting, washing or using cleaners on a sample you need to return.
- Comparing a tiny swatch with a large one; ask for cuttings of a similar size.
- Forgetting fullness: curtains hang in folds, so a flat sample looks lighter and thinner than the finished curtain.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose between fabric samples?
Test each one the same way at home: light, colour through the day, folds, rubbing, scratching, creasing and the label. Then compare larger cuttings of your top two or three.
How can I test if a fabric will pill?
Rub it firmly with your palm for a minute. Fuzz or small balls mean it will pill in use.
How do I check a curtain sample for light?
Hold it against a bright window. A dimout hides shapes behind it; a blackout lets almost no light through.
Why does my curtain look different from the sample?
Finished curtains hang in folds at about 2 times fullness, which makes colours look deeper and fabric look fuller than a flat sample.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.