HIGH POINT, NC—Valdese Weavers, the largest upholstery mill in the USA and second in the world only to D’Décor (India) has thrown its hat in the drapery weight goods market for the first time with a collection of 300 best selling designs taken from its upholstery archives.

The new business, Valdese Weavers Drapery is forecasted to reach $10 million in sales and represents another niche business for Valdese in addition to the existing lines: Valdese Weavers (Upholstery); Circa 1801 and Crypton (R) Home; Valdese Weavers Contract; Home Fabrics and VIP, the import division.

“Of course, these designs are being adapted to the lighter weight jacquard drapery fabric in 100 percent polyester and 54 inch widths,” according to Joe Feege, Executive Vice President, more affectionately known as ‘Sales Guru Emeritus’ according to Mike Shelton, CEO & President of Valdese Weavers. “We can also offer wide-width goods for drapery if the customer requests it,” Feege added.

“We have done multipurpose goods in the past that met drapery specs but this is the first time we have actually designed goods for drapery application,” Shelton added. “We had the jacquard cards, designs and yarn so we figured—‘why not do this?’

Feege spearheaded the program by asking his weave manager, dye house manager and yarn specialist if they could do these goods in the first place. “They all said ‘yes’, Feege laughed. “We can custom dye any of these selected designs in our own dye plant with one piece minimums, guaranteed quality and quick delivery times,” he said, holding one of the contemporary fleur de lis patterns engineered for drapery.

The new drapery items fall between $6.95-$14.95 for jobbers, tabletop and top of bed manufacturers. Valdese Weavers can custom design and color any drapery weight item for their customers, Feege said. The drapery program is expected to find residential customers as well as hospitality buyers. This is a custom program as opposed to readymade. 

In the past few years, many customers have been importing these items from China, India or Turkey but Valdese feels it is offering a viable alternative with quick shipping and local resourcing.

Joe Feege with Valdese Weavers Fleur De Lis Drapery design