Pros and Cons of Facing Cascades

Back in the 90’s, we used to face a lot of cascades in my business. It be came so popular that I had to create a workroom detail item in my operating system, as it was being requested all the time by the designers.  Recently, I just finished up a job using the technique, and discovered a more in-depth of the pro’s and cons.

A gathered Open Swag style is shown above (Click here to learn about Open Swags)

 

What is Facing?

Facing is similar to banding, except it is a strip of fabric stitched along the back side of the main fabric of an Add-on item or embellishment, which exposes the reverse side of the fabric (the lining side). The facing can be seen from the front view of the window treatment or add-on item.  
Facing can be found on the tops of draperies, cascades, the horns/bells of Empire or Kingston swags, and roll-ups topper valances.

What is Facing on Cascades?

Similar to above, except the facing is applied to the bottom leading edge of the cascades
(Add-ons) where the lining is exposed on the mitered cut of the cascade.  

What are the Pros and Cons of Facing Cascades

First let’s look at the:

Pros:

• Saves fabric when using expensive lining fabric
• Can help minimize sun rot when using lining
• Can be used in the design of treatment
• Minimize bleed thru.  Bleed thru (see glossary) will happen only where the facing is, as lining is used on the rest of the cascade.
• Works best with side panels under or small projection return.

Cons:

• Can see light differentials from the facing (banding) when in the sun
• Lining exposed from the side view on deep projection treatments, or when side panels are not used
• Extra labor cost when fabricating
• Creates a band effect when the light passes through the cascade Interlining may minimize this affect.

 

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