There are two basic kinds of fibers: natural and synthetic. The most durable fibers in the natural category are:
cotton, wool, linen and silk. Cotton, wool, and linen are durable. Silk is delicate. Synthetic fibers include: acetate, polyester, nylon and rayon. All of these are quite durable and easy to clean. Polyester washes and drip dries very well, it doesn't show wrinkles and does well in direct sunlight. So, for your windows that get a lot of hot sunlight all day long, choosing curtains made of polyester is a good choice. Acrylic is wool-like to the touch, resists wrinkles, mildew, moths and fire. So, for older homes, this is a perfect curtain choice.

Acetate has good draping qualities and is soft to the touch. It is nice to know that acetate also is sun, moth and mildew resistant. It has excellent crease retention. Nylon is a very strong fabric and it pleats well. It is also wrinkle and sun resistant. Often times the synthetic fibered fabrics are your best choice for curtains.

When choosing curtains you start by picking a fabric type, but I unless you are a talented seamstress, you should buy your curtains and drapes from a professional. Generally you can find a good selection of fabrics, colors and patterns in ready made curtains that come in standard window sizes. However, they only come in standard sizes, so if you have an odd-size window, you're going to have to go custom. Standard sizes are 63" long by 48", 72", or 96" wide per pair. And 84" long by 48", 72", 96" 122" and 144" wide per pair.

Should you choose curtains with a lining? Well that depends. What does it depend on: personal taste and on fabric type. For example, if it is a sheer fabric, lining is usually not used. If you line a sheer, it is no longer sheer, which defeats the purpose. Lining helps most other fabrics, however. If you line it, the drapery will handle more smoothly and give more depth to the pleats. Also, lining a lighter fabric will help it hand straighter. Sun damage can be a killer to fabric, so a good lining will help protect your fabric from fading and sun rot.

Natural fabrics are more prone to rotting, so they should always be lined. Lining your fabric also helps conserve energy, as less energy will be lost through your windows. Last but not least, lining fabrics can help give the outside of your home a more uniform appearance. If all of your fabrics are lined with the same fabric, you can change the color and pattern of the fabrics you use from room to room without changing the color or look of your home from outside.

Choosing curtains should be fun. While you can have them custom made, if your windows are typical sizes, you will have plenty of choices at department stores, and won't need to get custom made curtains. Choosing curtains is personal, and there is no one way to determine what curtain will be right, so consider your climate, your personal taste, and the textures and richness you want in your home.