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Short answer
Sheer fabrics differ in their yarn and weave. Voile is a soft, matt, fine plain weave and the standard sheer for curtains. Organza is crisp with a sheen. Chiffon and georgette are fluid, floaty crepe fabrics more common in fashion than on windows. Batiste is a fine, smooth semi-sheer, and net is an open mesh. For curtains, polyester voile and linen-look sheers are the most practical: they drape well, wash easily and hold their shape.
What makes a fabric sheer
A fabric is sheer when light and shapes show through it. That comes from very fine yarns, an open weave with space between the threads, or both. The type of yarn then sets the character: smooth filament yarns give sheen, matt spun yarns give a soft, natural look, and tightly twisted crepe yarns give the slightly grainy, fluid feel of chiffon and georgette.
This guide is about the fabrics themselves. For using them as curtains, including fullness, colour, privacy at night and double tracks, see Sheer Curtains.
Sheer fabrics compared
| Fabric | How it is made | Look and drape | For curtains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voile | Fine plain weave, usually of twisted yarns | Soft, matt, gently translucent; drapes in soft folds | The everyday choice for day curtains |
| Organza | Fine plain weave of tightly twisted filament yarns | Crisp, stiff, with a sheen; holds its shape | Formal and decorative looks; can crease |
| Chiffon | Plain weave of highly twisted crepe yarns | Very light, fluid and floaty, slightly grainy | Rarely; too light and delicate for most windows |
| Georgette | Like chiffon, with a heavier crepe yarn | Fluid, with a crinkled, matt surface | Occasionally, for soft decorative drapes |
| Batiste | Fine, tightly woven plain weave | Smooth and soft; semi-sheer, more opaque than voile | When a little more privacy is wanted |
| Net and mesh | Open knitted or leno construction | See-through, with a visible open structure | Cafe curtains, textured sheers |
| Linen-look sheer | Slub or linen-blend yarns in an open weave | Natural, textured and relaxed | Japandi, resort and casual rooms |
Voile vs organza
These are the two names curtain buyers meet most. Both are fine plain weaves, but they behave very differently on a window.
| Voile | Organza | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Matt and soft | Crisp with a sheen |
| Drape | Falls in soft, rounded folds | Stands away in stiffer folds |
| Light | Diffuses daylight evenly | Sparkles and reflects light |
| Look | Calm, modern, everyday | Formal, dressy, decorative |
| Creasing | Low in polyester | Creases show more |
| Best for | Living rooms, bedrooms, condos | Feature windows, formal rooms, layered swags |
Most modern homes choose voile or a linen-look sheer. Organza suits a more formal room or a decorative top layer.
Sheer, semi-sheer and dimout
Sheers sit at one end of a scale. Semi-sheers such as batiste and denser linen-look weaves let in a little less light and give more privacy by day. A dimout is opaque enough to give privacy day and night while still letting a soft glow through. See Blackout vs Dimout vs Sheer.
Good to know
At night, with the lights on inside, every sheer becomes see-through from outside. Pair a sheer with a dimout or blackout on a double track for night-time privacy.
Patterned and decorative sheers
- Woven stripes and checks: pattern woven into the sheer, such as FURLEY.
- Gradient and ombre: colour that fades across the fabric, such as GRADIENT.
- Embroidered sheers: a pattern stitched onto a voile ground for a richer, more formal look.
- Devoré (burnout): part of the fibre is dissolved away in a pattern, leaving sheer and denser areas side by side.
- Crushed or crinkle: permanently creased, so the fabric never needs ironing.
In the JOTEX range, plain voiles include CALLIE, MISTY and NATORI; VALERY is a linen-look sheer with 20% linen; and POSH Creation's DIMOS, HENSLEY, MAPLE, OBERON and ZONA are designer sheers.
How to judge a sheer
- Hold it to the light. The weave should look even, with no thick or thin lines.
- Check it in daylight and lamplight. White can look cool and blue by day; ivory and cream look warmer in the evening.
- Gather it up. Sheers are made at 2 times fullness or more, so judge a gathered sample, not a flat one.
- Pull across the weave. In a loose sheer, threads that slide apart easily can open at the seams.
Tip
Many sheers are woven extra-wide so they can be railroaded: one length covers the whole window with no visible joins, which matters on fabric this transparent.
Caring for sheer fabrics
Polyester voile is the easiest: wash cool on a gentle cycle in a laundry bag, and hang it back up while slightly damp so the creases drop out. Organza needs a cool iron, and chiffon and georgette are delicate and best hand-washed or dry-cleaned. See How to Wash Curtains.
Sheers in the JOTEX range
Every JOTEX and POSH Creation sheer, updated from the catalogue. See the sheer fabric page.
Browse sheer fabric →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between voile and organza?
Both are fine plain weaves. Voile is soft and matt and falls in rounded folds; organza is crisp with a sheen and holds a stiffer shape. Voile is the everyday curtain sheer; organza is more formal and decorative.
Is voile see-through?
By day, voile is translucent: it softens the view and gives some privacy from outside. At night, with the lights on inside, people can see through it, so pair it with a dimout or blackout.
Which sheer fabric is best for curtains?
Polyester voile or a linen-look sheer. They drape softly, diffuse daylight evenly, wash easily and hold their shape in humid weather.
Can chiffon be used for curtains?
It can for decorative drapes, but it is very light and delicate. It tends to float and flare, and it needs careful washing. Voile is more practical for everyday curtains.
What is a semi-sheer curtain?
A sheer with a denser weave or heavier yarn, such as batiste or a tighter linen-look, which lets in a little less light and gives more privacy by day than a voile.
What is a net curtain?
A sheer made from an open knitted or mesh construction rather than a woven voile. Nets are often used as short cafe curtains or for a textured, lacy look.
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.