While undertaking fabric
window treatment there are certain terms that you will
come across again and again. It is good to have a
clear idea as to what these terms mean. Given below
are a list of terms and their meanings.
Seam - Seams are used to lengths of fabric
together. The different types of seams are - Flat seam, and
French seam.
Acorn - This is as decorative wood or brass
end that is used at the end of the cords of blinds to hide the
knotted ends.
Arched Valance - In this valance, the sides
are longer than the center and the lower edge is shaped.
Austrian Blind - This is a gathered blind
that is longer than required. The extra fabric forms ruching
at the bottom of the curtain. Ruching is a ruffle or pleat at
the end of the curtain.
Bed Valance - This is a skirt that covers the
divan part of a bed from the sides to the floor.
Bishop's Sleeve Curtains - Curtains are made
longer than required and tied securely, pulled up and flounced
over the tied part.
Blind - This type of curtain is fixed at the
top and can be pulled up from the bottom.
Bound Edge - This is a means of tidying up a
raw edge by using bias binding.
Box Pleats - This is a row of fold whose
direction alternates. The fabric in the folds can be gathered
either in the front or the back depending on the effect to be
created.
Braid - This is a decorative trim that can be
added to curtains, sheets and valances to embellish them.
Bullion - This is a thick twisted trimming
used as ornamentation.
Cafe Curtains - This curtain fits only the
lower half of the window, thus giving the room privacy and
light at the same time.
Chain Weights -This is a chain of small heavy
beads encased in cotton casing used for light fabrics.
Combination Rods - A set of brackets with two
or three curtain lengths. This is used to give a layered
appearance for curtain and top treatments.
Envelope Curtains -Curtains that cannot be
pulled back. The lower inside corners are hooked back to allow
light into the room.
Festoon Blind -Though it looks a lot like the
Austrian blinds, these blinds are ruched or pleated from top
to bottom.
Finial - These are ornamental ends of a
curtain pole.
Header - This is the extra fabric above a
cased heading that forms a frill.
Lambrequin - This is a pelmet that extends
down the side of the window.
Pelform -This is a double-sided sticky card
especially made from a sticky card made especially for pelmets
or tiebacks, printed with various edge patterns.
Pelmet - This is used to conceal the top of
curtains and curtain tracks. Normally a flat panel that can be
painted or covered with fabric to enhance it.
Pillow Sham - An ornamental pillow cover that
is used in the day.
Puddled Curtains -These curtains are made
longer than required and are allowed to gather or puddle on
the floor.
Scarf - This is a length of fabric that is
tidied and draped across the top of a window treatment.
Stack back - This is the amount of space
occupied by the curtains when they are drawn open.
Tie Backs - Lengths of stiffened fabric that
are fastened to the wall to hold the curtains back.
Valance - This is a pleated or shaped
miniature curtain that is hung from the pelmet to cover the
top of curtains or curtain tracks.
