Glossary

A

Acorn

A decorative brass or wooden hollow knob, which slips over the knotted cords of a window blind, to cover the knotted ends.

Allowance

The measurement which has to be added to the curtain fabric quantity in order to neatly turn in the fabric at the hems, seams and headings.

Angle Bracket

A bracket with a 90 degree angled bend used to support curtain tracks, poles, blinds and pelmet boards.

Arched Valance

A valance which is shaped on the lower edge, the sides being longer than the centre used as a soft curtain pelmet often trimmed with decorative curtain accessories such as braid or fringe.

Architrave

The wooden surround of a window or doorway. Unless the window architrave is a decorative Victorian style, then it is usually hidden by the curtain treatment.

Austrian Blind

A soft fabric blind that is gathered in horizontal lines to fall in cascades of fabric when closed.

Austrian Blind Rings

For use with Austrian, Festoon and Roman blinds, these small rings are sewn onto fabric blinds and the cord which allows the blinds to go up and down runs through them.

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B

Batten

A narrow piece of wood used to fix window blinds and curtain tracks to the wall.

Bay Window

A three-sided (or more) window that protrudes from the exterior wall of a house.

Bias

45 degree diagonal to the direction of the weave in the curtain fabric.

Black Out Blinds

A roller blind designed to block out daylight.

Blackout Lining

A three-layer curtain lining fabric consisting of two layers of cotton and one layer of opaque material. This curtain lining used in conjunction with the curtains will help stop light entering the room, especially useful for bedroom curtains.

Bound Edge

A way of neatening a raw edge using bias binding.

Bow Windows

Bay windows that are a semi-circular shape.

Box Pleats

A row of folds in alternate directions. The extra fabric in the folds can be taken to either the front or the back for the desired effect.

Brackets

Designed to be fastened onto the wall to hold the curtain pole or blinds.

Braid

A decorative trim used as a curtain accessory to embellish curtains and window blinds, especially stunning when used in conjunction with matching curtain tassel tie backs or curtain fringe.

Brass Curtain Hooks

Brass finished hooks for attaching the curtains to the curtain pole or curtain track.

Brocade

A rich curtain fabric with an embossed design usually gold or silver ideal for traditional interior design schemes and formal or elegant curtain treatments.

Broderie Anglaise

A fine embroidered cotton fabric ideally used in an interior design scheme for baby's bedrooms or feminine curtain treatments.

Buckram

A coarse cotton, hemp or linen cloth stiffened with glue and used to make curtain tie-backs and to stiffen the curtain heading for certain decorative curtain finishes such as pinch pleat or goblet pleats.

Bullion

A thick twisted fringe often used for decoration on curtains and blinds. This curtain accessory usually has a matching tassel tie backs.

Bump

Soft cotton lining sewn into curtains between the curtain fabric and the curtain lining to add body to the curtains giving the curtain treatment a more luxurious quality.

Burn Ends

The end pieces designed to slot onto cubicle track.

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C

Café Curtains

Short curtains hung at low level on a narrow decorative curtain rod to offer partial privacy.

Café Rod

A slim curtain rod used for slotted, tab top or similar curtain headings and is used for light weight curtains only.

Calico

A plain-weave fabric made from raw unbleached cotton usually used as a under cover in upholstery.

Cartirdge Pleats

Cylindrical pleats that make a stunning decorative curtain window treatment.

Cascade

A rippling fall of curtain fabric making an elegant decorative curtain design.

Casement Window

A hinged window operated by a crank mechanism that can open in or out.

Casing

A stitched channel between two pieces of curtain fabric to hold either a length of dowelling or a curtain rod.

Ceiling Support

A bracket that supports the curtain track from the ceiling.

Centre Joiner

A part used to join two separate pieces of curtain track together.

Chain Weights

A curtain accessory of a continuous chain of small heavy lead beads covered in a fabric casing used to weight the hems of voile or sheer curtains to make them hang correctly.

Chenille

A soft fabric made with fluffy cotton yarns ideal for more traditional decorative curtain designs. This is popular curtain fabric especially for traditional curtain designs. It has an irregular soft pile or pattern often formed with loops.

Classic Holdbacks

Decorative wooden or metal accessories used to hold curtains away from a window to allow as much light into the room as possible. Also, an elegant method of holding the curtains in dressed folds.

Classic Wooden Curtain Pole

A very decorative curtain pole with ornate curtain finials, the curtain pole may be reeded or plain.

Cleat

A metal or plastic hook placed at the side of the window to hold the cords of a window blind or curtain treatment.

Cleat Hooks

Designed to be screwed into the wall to hold the cord from a blind in place. Usually found with Roman Blinds.

Coloured Wooden Curtain Poles

The wonderful colour palettes of wooden curtain poles means that there will be the right colour pole for just about every curtain fabric available.

Colourway

The combination of colours in a piece of curtain or blind fabric.

Combination Rods

Two or three curtain tracks sharing one set of brackets, used for a layered look of curtain treatments and curtain valance treatments.

Contemporary Metal Curtain Pole

A very modern stylized metal curtain pole usually with a special metal finish.

Continental Rod

Flat curtain rods that protrude from the wall to add depth and interest to window curtain treatments.

Contrast Lining

A coloured fabric used as a curtain or pelmet lining when parts of it curtains or pelmets will show from the front.

Cord Connectors

Small white or brass blind accessory for joining two lengths of pull cord.

Cord Tension Pulley

A sprung device fixed to the wall or window sill with a pulley on the end to which the track cording system is connected to under tension.

Cord Weights

A decorative accessory designed to weigh down the cord from a blind, corded pole or corded track.

Corded Plastic Curtain Track

Plastic curtain track with a corded system so the curtains may be opened and closed with the pull cord.

Corded Poles

A curtain pole with a cord mechanism inside the pole allowing the curtains to be opened or drawn on the cord.

Corded Wooden Curtain Pole

This type of curtain pole has a sleeve let into the wooden pole for the cording mechanism.

Cornice & Coving

A decorative or curved molding where the wall meets the ceiling, usually used to conceal any cracks. Some decorative pelmets can be fixed behind the coving if it continues across the window opening.

Cotton Fabric

Cotton produces a wide range of weights of curtain fabrics and makes a very strong, durable fabric suitable for curtains and blinds.

Cubicle Curtain Track

Curtain track with bends that can be suspended from the ceiling with special brackets.

Curtain Accessories

The selection of braids, fringes, tassel ties and many other curtain accessories available today is incredible.

Curtain Brackets

Brackets to fix the curtain track to the wall.

Curtain Hold Back

A short metal or wooden rod with a decorative end that usually matches the curtain pole. It is fixed on the wall and is used to hold the curtains back in elegant folds away from the window opening.

Curtain Hooks

The hooks that hang the curtains onto the gliders onto the curtain track.

Curtain Lining

This is used to protect the reverse side of the curtain treatment from sunlight and dirt. It will extend the life of the curtain fabric and will improve the draping qualities of the curtains.

Curtain Pole

A plain or decorative pole fastened above a window opening to hang curtains.

Curtain Rings

Circular rings attached to the curtain pole designed to hang the curtains from the curtain pole.

Curtain Rod

See Draw Rod

Curtain Tie-Back

A stiffened band of fabric made from the curtain material to hold the curtains away from the window opening.

Curtain Track

A plastic or metal fitting from which curtains are hung. Curtain tracks may have corded systems for pulling the curtains. Some tracks may have a pelmet track that clips onto them. Double curtain tracks are used with two sets of curtains.

Curtain Wire

A sprung metal coil 4mm in diameter coated in plastic.

Cut Width

The width of curtain fabric needed including seams or hems for the curtains or blinds.

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D

Damask

A popular curtain fabric for door curtains especially as it is reversible so is therefore attractive from inside and outside.

Decorative Curtain Hook

A designer hook screwed to the wall to which tiebacks and tassels are looped over enabling the curtains to be draped.

Deep Pleat Hooks

Special hooks designed for holding pinch pleats together.

Dim-Out Backing

A layer of material found behind a curtain or blind designed to reduce sunlight.

Dormer Window

A window that projects from a sloping roof.

Double Fullness

When each of the curtains are the same measurements as the width of the window opening which enables the curtains to drape in folds.

Double Hem

Folding the curtain fabric over twice in equal amounts.

Double Pole Bracket

A Curtain pole bracket with two holes or cups enabling double poles to be used.

Double Wheel Pulley

A pulley found on a curtain track incorporating two wheels into the system.

Dowelling

A circular or oval length of wood or plastic attached to the back of a window blind to keep the fabric flat.

Draw Rods

A piece of plastic or metal that hangs down the side of a curtain track that allows you to draw the curtains.

Dressed Curtains

The term used when curtains are arranged in neat folds in their curtain holdbacks or tie-backs.

Drop Pattern Repeat

The distance on a piece of curtain fabric before the pattern repeats itself across the width diagonally.

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E

Electric Blinds

A blind operated with a motor and control unit.

Electric Curtain Track

A mechanism attached to the track allowing the curtains to be opened or drawn electrically.

End Stops

These are fitted onto the end of the curtain track to prevent the gliders from sliding off the end of the track.

Envelope Curtains

Casual curtains that do not pull back. The bottom inside corners are hooked back to let light in.

Eyelet Curtain

A modern curtain heading that consists of large metal rings usually in brass or chrome placed near the top of the curtains so the curtain pole can pass through. Curtain hooks are not required with this style of curtain treatment.

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F

Fabric Covered Lath

A fabric covered narrow pelmet board or buckram fascia which hides the curtain tracking.

Face Fabric

The main decorative curtain fabric that is used as the main curtains. The patterned fabric seen from the inside of the room.

Festoon Blind

An elegant window blind similar to an Austrian blind but the blind drop is not gathered when closed.

Finial

The decorative feature at the end of a curtain pole to retain the curtain rings and can either be permanently attached to the curtain pole or added as decorative feature purchased as a curtain pole accessory.

Finished Curtain Length

The overall finished length of the curtains when they are ready to hang.

Finished Width

The actual width of the curtains after the treatment is finished and all allowances have been utilised.

French Door

A glass door or pair of doors usually used on patios that extends from the ceiling to the floor.

Frill

A long narrow length of fabric gathered or pleated as the decorative feature onto the edge of a pelmet or curtains.

Fullness

This is the ratio of curtain or blind fabric to the width of the window. Curtains are usually at least twice the window opening width.

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G

Gliders

Used to hang curtains from a track.

Goblet Heading

A decorative curtain heading so called as the heading resembles rows of upside down glasses with a flat section between each goblet.

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H

Half Tester

A rectangular pelmet or curtain rail above a bed usually with bed drapes.

Header

The extra curtain fabric above the curtain rod pocket.

Heading

The top of the finished curtain or blind.

Heading Tape

This curtain making accessory is available in many styles and sizes. It is sewn to the top of the curtains as a means of gathering the curtains and to attach the curtain hooks to fix the curtains to the curtain pole or curtain track.

Hem

The turning at the bottom of the curtains or blinds to hide the raw edge of the curtain fabric and to give body and weight to the curtain treatment.

Hold Fasts

Designed to be screwed into the wall to hold the cord from a blind in place usually found with Roman Blinds.

Holdback

A curtain accessory used to hold curtain window treatments away from the windows when open.

Hook Gliders

Gliders with hooks at the bottom designed to hang straight onto the curtains.

Hook To Floor

The measurement from the curtain ring on a pole or track to the floor, sill or radiator level.

Hook To Hem

The measurement from the top of the curtain hook to the bottom of the curtains.

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I

Interlining

When curtains are interlined it improves the hanging of the curtain. Interlined curtains are not washable so are unsuitable for curtain designs in bathrooms or kitchens.

Iron Curtain Pole

Usually a traditional wrought iron curtain pole.

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J

Jabot

Another word for the tail section of Swags and Tails pelmet.

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K

Kick Pleats

Similar to box pleats but the folds do not butt together at the back, making the pleats further apart.

Knife Pleats

A row of folds all in the same direction.

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L

Lace

Lace when used as a window treatment is most attractive with little or no fullness in the curtain design showing the delicate pattern in the curtain fabric to its best advantage.

Leading Edge

The inside edge of the curtain as it pulls to the centre of the window.

Linen Fabric

A strong durable fabric often mixed with other fibres when used in curtain making as it tends to crease easily. Linen as a curtain or blind fabric is very suitable in kitchens, bathrooms and seaside homes as it is not as absorbent as other curtain fabrics.

London Blind

A cross between a Roman blind, because of its plain heading, and an Austrian blind for the bottom ruching. The ruching comes from inverted pleats.

Loose Lined Curtains

Curtains with a detachable lining so the curtains and the lining can be washed separately.

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M

Made To Measure Curtains

Curtains that are made to a specific measurement given and in a fabric chosen by the customer.

Made To Measure Curtain Poles

A service offered to manufacture curtain poles to a specific length according to the customers own measurements.

Midial

A decorative shape fastened onto the front of a curtain pole to decorate the wall fixing bracket.

Mitring

A way of folding the excess seam allowance to achieve a less bulky, sharp corner.

Moire Curtain Fabric

A delightful fabric for more traditional curtain treatments as the engraved roller finishing treatment leaves a wavy water marked pattern. It is ideal as a contrasting fabric for window treatments such as Swags and Tails.

Motorised Blinds

Window blinds that open and close automatically with a motor making them a useful part of a home security system or for disabled living.

Motorised Curtain Track

Curtain track with a built on motorized device allowing the curtains to open and draw electronically. Interior designers and Architects often include this as a security system. It is also used for home security, convenience and accessible living.

Muslin

An inexpensive fine cotton fabric which when used as a curtain treatment needs to be used in volume to achieve an informal swag effect. It is often used for special events to line marquees or dress trade stands as it is cheap but effective.

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N

Nap

A one way direction of texture on a fabric such as velvet or corduroy. When using fabric with a nap all pieces must be cut with the nap in the same direction.

Net Curtains

A lightweight curtain designed to let the sunlight through the window whilst keeping an element of privacy.

Net Rails

Light weight curtain rails designed for voile or net curtains.

Net Rods

A thin telescopic rod which is used to support net curtains or voiles within a window recess.

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O

One Way Design

When the curtain or blind fabric has a distinct direction to the pattern.

Overlap Allowance

An allowance made when calculating the fabric quantity so that the curtains are wide enough to cross over when closed or draped.

Overlap Arm

An extension on a corded track allowing curtains to cross over by a small amount when closed.

Overlong Curtains

Curtains made specifically too long in order that they drape onto the floor.

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P

Panel Blinds

A window treatment with a sliding mechanism, inspired by Japanese screens that can also be used as a room divider.

Passementerie

Elaborate, high-quality trim, including braid, cord, fringe, and tassels, used as detailing on curtains and blinds.

Pattern Repeat

The measurement taken from where a curtain fabric pattern ends to where it begins to repeat itself.

Patterned Chintz Fabric

A floral glazed printed cotton curtain fabric ideally suited for country living styled curtains.

Pelform

A double sided sticky card especially made for pelmets and tie backs, printed with various edge patterns.

Pelmet

Fabric covered buckram or plywood, shaped or plain, which hides the curtain track and curtain heading. The pelmet can be decorated with braid or fringing which looks stunning when coordinating with matching tassel tie backs.

Pelmet Board

A piece of wood fixed to the wall like a shelf and is used to support a curtain track, blind or pelmet.

Pencil Pleat Heading

A decorative curtain heading of narrow pencil like vertical folds, which are formed by the curtain heading tape when it is gathered up.

Pin Hooks

Sharp ended hooks that literally stab into the curtain fabric to attach the curtains to the curtain pole or track.

Pinch Pleats

A popular finish for curtain and pelmets consisting of symmetrical, stitched-down triple pleats separated by flat areas.

Piping Cord

A cord covered in curtain fabric and sewn into cushions, curtains or pelmets to accentuate the edge or to decorate a seam.

Plain Chintz

This plain curtain fabric is often used as the contrast fabric for curtain treatments as it is available in a rainbow of colours.

Pleated Blinds

A corded blind with pleats running horizontally.

Puddled Curtains

Curtains that are made longer than necessary to allow them to be placed in decorative folds on the floor.

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Q

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R

Railroading

Using fabric horizontally rather than vertically. Fabric without a directional design or nap can be railroaded to avoid seams in long lengths.

Ready Mades

Refers to a set of curtains, curtain poles or blinds that have been manufactured to a specific size.

Reeded Curtain Pole

A wooden curtain pole with grooves carved along the length of the pole as a decorative feature.

Return

The sides of the window curtain treatment, pelmet or valance that turns around the side and back to the wall.

Reveal

The sides of the window opening, at right angles to the faces of the wall and the window itself.

Roller Blind

A blind operated by a spring mechanism so that when let up it coils itself around a cylinder in which the mechanism is located.

Roman Blind

A flat blind which is pulled up into soft horizontal folds using cords attached to the back of the blind.

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S

Scalloped Heading

A curtain treatment with deep rounded cut outs which then slots over the curtain rod or curtain pole.

Scarf

A length of fabric which is neatened and draped across the top of a window treatment.

Screw Eyes

These are used to support and tension net curtain wire.

Seam

A way of stitching two pieces of fabric together.

Seam Allowance

The amount of extra fabric added to make a seam.

Selvage

The woven outside edge of the fabric.

Selvedge

The two side edges of a piece of curtain fabric which may contain the name of the fabric and information about the colour combinations.

Sheers

This translucent curtain fabric is ideal as a secondary window treatment for privacy or as a main curtain usually in a contemporary window design used in conjunction with a window blind.

Short Extension Bracket

A bracket allowing a small extension to be added onto the existing track.

Side Winder

A mechanism found on a blind designed to raise or lower the blind.

Silk

A fine lustrous very strong fabric which makes a wonderful curtain fabric as it responds very well to colour dyes and drapes beautifully. Silk is often mixed with other fibres to make curtain fabrics and this adds shine and lustre.

Slotted Heading

Double row of stitching with a ruffle at the top that slots over the pole concealing the pole except for the curtain pole finials.

Smocked Heading

A curtain heading that has narrow pleats that are sewn together at regular intervals to create a honeycomb effect.

Soffit

The underside of the top of the window.

Spring-Tension Rod

A rod, usually adjustable, that fits inside the window frame and operates with an internal spring butting up against the window jamb on each side. Often used for café curtains and sheer treatments that hang close to window panes.

Stack Back

The area of wall at the side of the window which is covered by the curtain when it is opened.

Straight Run Windows

This is the term given to a window that does not have a bay or curved in it.

Swag

A piece of fabric elegantly hung between two fixed points at the top of a window and draping down in the center.

Swags & Tails

An ornate window dressing consisting of pleated overlapping drapes of fabric across the top of the window finished at each side with pleated tails. The reverse side of the tails is usually lined in a contrasting fabric.

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T

Tab Top Curtains

Flat bands of fabric sewn into the top of the heading which wrap over the pole.

Taffeta

A very fine fabric of woven silk usually used for curtain trimmings and soft furnishing accessories.

Tail

The name for the decorative end feature of a swag and tail pelmet.

Tassel Tie Back

A corded tie back with elegant tassels usually associated with traditional curtain treatments.

Thermal Curtain Lining

This curtain lining has insulation properties. It is available with an aluminium finish to reflect the light which is particularly useful for interior design schemes for curtains or blinds in very sunny positions.

Tieback

A sash, tasseled cord, or separate length of straight, decorated, or shaped fabric that holds back a curtain treatment in dressed folds.

Tie-Back

A shaped and stiffened band or tasseled cord used to hold the curtains back.

Track

A metal or plastic rail from which the curtains are hung from gliders.

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U

Undercurtain

In a treatment incorporating at least two layers, it is the curtain closest to the windows.

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V

Valance

A gathered, and sometimes shaped, mini curtain hung from a pelmet board to conceal the top of curtains or a curtain track.

Velcro

A touch and close fastening.

Velvet Curtain Fabric

A luxurious plush finish curtain fabric available in a fabulous range of colours. Velvet curtain fabric drapes beautifully and is usually used in more traditional curtain designs.

Venetian Blind

Slats of material, i.e. wood or metal arranged horizontally to create a blind.

Vertical Blind

Slats of material hung vertically from a track to create a blind.

Vine Eyes

A large eyelet fixed into a pelmet board to return the curtain back to the wall.

Voile

A finely woven semi-transparent fabric often printed with the same design as the main curtain fabric which makes a stunning double curtain.

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W

Warp

The threads that run down the length of a woven fabric.

Weaves

Fabrics constructed with warp threads running down and weft threads running across the at right angles. It is the most popular fabric used for plain coloured window blinds as a self coloured pattern is formed in its construction.

Weft

The threads that run across a woven fabric.

Welt

A strip of fabric sewn between the two sides of a cushion to give it more depth.

Window Recess

The area inside the reveal of the window where the blinds and sheer curtains can be fitted.

Woodweave

Wood, bamboo and reed woven together with jute in a variety of combinations to make a stunning contemporary window blind.

Wool

Although wool is not often used as a curtain or blind fabric, it dyes well, has good draping qualities and is not static, so stays dirt and dust free. Often mixed with other yarns to produce stunning textured curtain fabrics and window blinds.

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