| A |
Architrave |
A wooden border
surrounding a window (usually found in older properties) or a doorway |
|
|
Appliqué |
Pieces of fabric or
felt applied to a background fabric |
|
|
Austrian blind |
A soft fabric blind
that is gathered or pleated along the top and which draws up in soft pleats |
|
| B |
Batten |
A narrow piece of
timber that slots into the hem or casing pockets of a roman blind |
Back to top |
|
Bias or crossways
strip |
A strip of fabric cut
on the diagonal across the warp and weft of the fabric |
|
|
Binding or lipping |
A strip of
contrasting fabric applied to the edges of curtains, valances or tiebacks etc. This
decorative edging can be cut to varying widths depending on the nature of the article
being edged |
|
|
Blackout lining |
A thick fabric used
to line curtains where light exclusion is required. Available in 2 varieties – 2 pass
in which the lining is coated white or ecru on one side only or – 3 pass in which
both sides are coated. Because of its rubberised feel, it makes it more difficult to dress
the curtains satisfactorily |
|
|
Box pleat [headings] |
Flat symmetrical
pleats that are formed by folding the fabric back on itself either side of the pleat |
|
|
Brocade |
A rich fabric with an
intricate pattern created within the weave, traditionally embossed in gold or silver. This
term is now applied to any flowered fabric with a raised pattern |
|
|
Buckram |
A coarse fabric of
cotton or linen used for stiffening pelmets, curtain headings and tie backs |
|
|
Bump |
A soft, thick
material used for interlining curtains, pelmets etc |
|
| C |
Café rod |
A narrow rod usually
made of brass used for curtains with a cased or scalloped heading |
Back to top |
|
Calico |
A cheap, coarse
textured plain weave cotton, similar to muslin other than in its thickness. Available in
different weights - can be fire retardant treated for upholstery work |
|
|
Chintz |
A printed cotton
fabric usually with a glazed finish. |
|
|
Cleat |
A metal or plastic
hook with two arms used for holding in place the cords on fabric blinds |
|
|
Cornice or coving |
A decorative moulding
positioned at the top of a wall where it meets the ceiling |
|
|
Cut drop |
The cut length of a
piece of fabric before any hems, headings or turnings have been stitched in place |
|
| D |
Dacron |
A synthetic fibre
used for filling and padding articles |
Back to top |
|
Damask |
Traditionally a silk,
cotton or linen fabric with a textured pattern woven into it. Cheaper substitutes are now
available made of synthetic fibres |
|
|
Dormer |
Term applied to a
window set within a roof |
|
|
Dupion |
A plain, shiny fabric
similar to silk in appearance. It is a fairly difficult fabric to work with as it frays
very easily once cut |
|
| E |
|
|
Back to top |
| F |
Face fix |
A term usually
relating to the installation of a curtain track fitting or the positioning of a blind
fixing. The fixing is screwed into the face of the wall above the window recess or into
the front of the window frame itself if the window dressing is to be inset into the window
recess |
Back to top |
|
Fascia board |
A narrow strip of
board covered with fabric that is used to cover a curtain track |
|
|
Festoon blind |
A very decorative
blind that is ruched all along its length as well as across the heading |
|
|
Finial |
A shaped attachment
that slots onto the ends of a curtain pole. It helps secure the rings onto the pole but
its primary function is decorative. Vast choice available in terms of shape and colour |
|
|
Finished drop |
The final length of
fabric after the hems, headings or turnings have been stitched in place |
|
|
French/Triple Pleat |
A decorative curtain or valance heading in which the fabric is
gathered into groups of 3 pleats. The heading is usually stiffened
with buckram for a professional finish. It is possible to achieve a
similar result using a curtain heading tape. |
|
|
Fusible lining |
Lining with special heat
activated glue on one side. Used for 'no sew' methods of curtain and blind construction |
|
| G |
Gimp |
A narrow braid used
as a decorative trimming |
Back to top |
|
Goblet pleat [heading] |
A decorative curtain
heading in which the fabric is stitched into narrow tubes that are then stuffed with
wadding. |
|
| H |
Heading |
The top edge of a
curtain or valance finished either with a tape or a curtain buckram |
Back to top |
|
Half
Drop |
A half drop pattern repeat is where the pattern repeats itself on
the diagonal rather than on the horizontal. |
|
|
Hem |
The bottom edge of a
curtain or valance |
|
|
Herringbone stitch |
A strong stitch that
is used to hold a single or double layer of fabric in place over another layer of fabric |
|
|
Holland (cloth) |
A plain linen cloth
commonly used in the making of roller blinds |
|
| I |
Interlining |
A soft material sewn
in between the face fabric of a curtain and its lining. It gives the curtains a very
luxurious appearance and provides extra insulation |
Back to top |
|
Italian stringing |
Curtains with Italian
stringing are joined together permanently in the centre and are as such ‘dress
curtains’. The stringing is set on the diagonal near the top of each curtain thus
pulling the curtains back at this point |
|
| J |
|
|
Back to top |
| K |
|
|
Back to top |
| L |
Lacing |
A very long stitch
used to attach a face fabric to a buckram pelmet or tie back. |
Back to top |
|
Lambrequin |
A stiff shaped
surround to a window, similar to a stiff pelmet, but with much longer sides that can go as
far down as the window sill. |
|
|
Leading edge |
The edge of the
curtain that faces the centre of the window |
|
|
Lining |
A closely woven
cotton fabric with a shiny surface used for lining curtains etc. |
|
|
Lockstitch |
Akin to a loose
blanket stitch, lockstitch is used to hold linings or interlinings to the reverse of a
curtain face fabric |
|
| M |
Mitre |
A particular method
of folding a corner enabling the fabric to lie flat. See Soft Furnishing Sewing Techniques |
Back to top |
|
Moiré |
A watered silk or a
cheaper synthetic substitute |
|
|
Muslin |
A very fine cotton,
very like a modern sheer |
|
| N |
Notch |
A ‘V’ shaped
cut in a seam allowance, helps to reduce ‘bulk’ |
Back to top |
| O |
Outside edge |
The edge of the
curtain that faces the outside edge of the window |
Back to top |
| P |
Pattern repeat |
The length of the pattern on a
piece of fabric before it repeats itself. When joining lengths of fabric with a pattern,
regard must always be paid to the pattern repeat |
Back to top |
|
Pelmet |
A stiff pelmet is a fabric covered
window dressing usually installed on top of curtains creating a decorative finish. It is
flat not gathered |
|
|
Pencil pleat [headings] |
The most commonly used taped
curtain heading. When pulled up, the fabric forms a row of parallel vertical pleats |
|
|
Pinch pleat [headings] |
See French and triple
pleats |
|
|
Pintuck |
A very narrow
decorative seam that stands proud on the right side of the face fabric. These are usually
arranged in a series of parallel lines |
|
|
Piping |
Made by covering a cord with fabric |
|
| Q |
Quilting |
A
Technique for padding a fabric - the common method uses a layer of
wadding and a backing cloth as well as the face fabric. The layers
are then anchored together using decorative stitching techniques. |
Back to top |
| R |
Repp |
A coarse fabric with a ribbed
appearance |
Back to top |
|
Return |
The flat side of a lambrequin,
pelmet or valance that buts up to the wall. This term also applies to the outside edge of
a curtain that covers the space created between the track and the wall at the sides. It
cuts out the light that would otherwise filter into the room down the sides of the
curtain, creating a very tailored or ‘boxed’ effect to the window dressing |
|
|
Reveal |
The side of a window recess, i.e.
the wall adjacent to the window frame and at right angles to the surface wall |
|
|
Roller blind |
A blind made of a stiffened fabric
that is mounted on a spring mechanism. The blind can be raised or lowered to a specific
height |
|
|
Roman blind |
A roman blind is a flat, ungathered
blind with no fullness. It offers a smart clean-cut finish to a window, with its pleats
forming a soft layered pelmet when the blind is raised. |
|
| S |
Sateen lining |
100% cotton sateen lining used for
lining curtains, valances, pelmets, blinds, etc. |
Back to top |
|
Selvedge |
The bound edge running along the
side of a length of fabric |
|
|
Sidelay |
The turning on the side of a
curtain, both on the leading and on the outside edge |
|
|
Silk |
A beautiful fabric made from the
fibres produced by the silk worm. Care needs to be taken when using silk as the fibres
eventually rot when subjected to direct sunlight |
|
|
Skewer |
A long thick pin that is used to
hold fabric in place during the making up process |
|
|
Sliphem |
Used on the hems of lined and
unlined curtains and on the sidelays of unlined curtains |
|
|
Slip stitch (Ladder
stitch) |
An invaluable stitch used to hold
two folded edges together or a folded edge to a flat edge |
Back to top |
|
Slot heading |
A curtain heading with a simple
hemmed top into which is inserted a rod, pole or wire. The curtain is then bunched
together to form gathers |
|
|
Smocked heading |
A decorative curtain heading in
which a series of pencil pleats are stitched together at regular intervals to form a
honeycomb design |
|
|
Squab |
A loose cushion with ties attached
to the back edge for anchoring to a stool or chair seat |
|
|
Swag |
A soft swathe of fabric usually
coupled with tails to form a highly decorative window dressing |
|
|
Stiff pelmet |
A stiff pelmet is a flat window
dressing with either a flat or shaped lower edge. It is typically placed above curtains or
blinds, and made using buckram or MDF. |
|
| T |
Tacking |
A temporary stitch
used to hold layers of fabric together, tacking removed after final stitching |
Back to top |
|
Taffeta |
A shiny fabric
initially made of woven silk but now available in synthetic substitutes |
|
|
Tab Top |
A decorative curtain heading by which the drape is hung from a pole
using a number of fabric "loops" rather than a traditional taped or
hand stitched heading. |
|
|
Tails |
A pleated and shaped
piece of fabric installed on the outside edge of a curtain - usually coupled with swags to
form an overall window dressing |
|
|
Tapestry |
A thick heavy fabric
woven from a number of different coloured fibres. Ideal for upholstery and for drapes in
period properties. Due to its bulk, care should be taken when estimating |
|
|
Template |
A pattern used as a
guide when cutting out |
|
|
Ticking |
A stiffened, striped,
woven fabric, traditionally in black and white and used for making mattresses. Modern
derivatives are not as stiff and come in a wide range of colours. Currently enjoying a
revival in its popularity, it is an ideal fabric for a more informal setting |
|
|
Tie
Top |
Similar to a tab top heading but here the curtain is suspended from
the pole using a series of "ties" rather than a "loop" tab. |
|
|
Toile de Jouy |
A printed cotton
originally from France, usually bearing pastoral scenes. This fabric is undergoing renewed
popularity, with its pastel designs on a white or cream background |
|
|
Top Fix |
A term usually
relating to the installation of a curtain track fitting or the positioning of a blind
fixing. The fixing is screwed directly into the ceiling above the window rather than into
the wall above the window if there is any. If the window dressing is to be inset into the
window recess, then the fixings are screwed into the top of the recess above the window
frame rather than into the window frame itself. This
type of fixing, particularly for blinds, is becoming more popular with the installation of
UPVC windows. These windows often have quite large vents at the top and there has to be
sufficient room for these to be opened without being obstructed by the blind. Window
manufacturers will often advise very strongly not to drill into the frame itself and will
even go so far as to say it will affect the guarantee on the window if this advise is not
heeded |
Back to top |
|
Turnings |
A seam allowance |
|
| U |
|
|
Back to top |
| V |
Valance |
A pleated or gathered piece of
fabric usually installed over the top of curtains. This term is also used to describe the
decorative skirt used to hide a divan base |
Back to top |
|
Velvet |
A good old favourite, velvet is a
pile fabric made of cotton or synthetic mixes available in a vast range of colours and
different decorative finishes. It will always be at home in a traditional setting |
|
|
Voile |
A very finely woven cloth usually
made of cotton or silk |
|
| W |
Warp |
The lengthways thread in a woven
fabric |
Back to top |
|
Wadding |
A batting or filling |
|
|
Weft |
The crossways thread in a woven
fabric |
|
| X |
|
|
Back to top |
| Y |
|
|
Back to top |
| Z |
Zipper foot |
A sewing machine attachment –
a half foot that enables you to stitch very closely to a zipper or piping |
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
