GLOSSARY
Curtain & Blinds |
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| Architrave | A wooden surround to a window frame – also the moulding to an arch |
| Austrian blind | A soft fabric blind which is ruched from top to bottom |
| Batten | A thin piece of timber that slots into the base hem of a roller or Roman blind so that the fabric hangs straight |
| Bed Valance | A decorative cover made for a divan base |
| Bias cut | Cut diagonally across the straight grain |
| Box pleats | Flat symmetrical pleats formed by folding the fabric to the back at each side of the pleat |
| Buckram | Stiffened woven material used for making pelmets and curtain headings |
| Bump | Very soft thick cotton interlining |
| Cafe curtain | Curtains hung to cover the bottom part of a window |
| Cafe rod | A slim rod, usually of brass, used for cafe curtains |
| Cartridge pleat | A rounded single pleat which is stuffed with wadding |
| Cased/Slot heading | A curtain heading consisting of a simple, hemmed top through which a rod or narrow pole may be slotted |
| Casement windows | Windows which open from the side |
| Cleat | A small double hook around which blind cords are wound |
| Cording set | Equipment for drawing curtains with a pull cord |
| Cornice | A decorative moulding at the top of a wall immediatelybelow the ceiling |
| Cornice pole | A curtain pole with rings used for heavy curtains |
| Corona | Coronet or semi-circular bracket fixed to the wall above the bed head to which curtains are attached. This can also be centrally mounted on the ceiling above the bed |
| Crossway strip – bias strip | A strip of fabric cut across the weft and warp of the fabric |
| Dado | Lower part of interior wall decorated differently from upper part |
| Dado rail | Moulding dividing upper and lower part of wall originally designed to stop chair backs damaging wall decoration |
| Dead light | Space immediately above the window and below the ceiling and cornice |
| Double-hung windows | Windows which slide open vertically – also known as sash windows |
| Draw rods | Rods inserted into the heading, used to open and close curtains |
| Dress curtains – show curtains | Curtains that do not close but are merely hung for effect |
| End stop | A plastic or metal fixing on the end of the track to prevent hooks and curtains from sliding off |
| Face cloth | Term used for the main fabric of the curtains |
| Face fitting | Fixing blinds or curtains to a vertical surface as opposed to ceiling or soffit fixed |
| Fascia | A rectangular board, set horizontally to cover a curtain heading or track fixings |
| Fenestration | The arrangement of windows in a building |
| Festoon blind |
A blind that is ruched down the whole length so that billows are formed |
| Finial | Decorative end of a curtain pole |
| Fitted bedcover | This has a flat top panel, straight skirt with inverted pleats at each corner. Skirt can also be box pleated or gathered and could be attached to a box section covering depth of mattress |
| Flemish heading | A Goblet heading in which the pleats are linked together along the base by hand-sewn cord |
| French pleats – pinch pleats | On a curtain heading hand-sewn triple pleats separated by flat areas |
| Glazing bars | The bars of wood or metal which hold panes of glass in place |
| Goblet heading | A curtain heading consisting of hand-sewn tubes whose tops are stuffed with wadding or contrasting fabric |
| Half-tester | A rectangular canopy above a bed, extending only part-way down the bed from the headboard. Drapes at the back and either side make a shallow three-dimensional effect |
| Hold-backs | Decorative woods or metal arms fixed to the wall on either side of a window, curtains draped over them |
| Interlining | Soft material sewn between a curtain and its lining to add bulk, to improve the ‘hang’ of the curtain and to improve its insulation |
| Inverted pleat – kick pleat | A pleat formed like a box pleat in reverse, so that the edges of the pleats meet in the middle on the face side of the fabric, most often used in loose covers, bed valances and upholstery |
| Knife pleats | Sharply pressed, narrow, closely spaced pleats, all running in the same direction |
| Jardiniere curtain | Usually sheer, the bottom of the curtain rises in the centre to give a curved finish and reveal something of the window |
| Lambrequin | A stiff, shaped surround to a window. Unlike a pelmet, a lambrequin continues down the side of the frame |
| Leading edge | The front edge of a curtain that is the centre of the window when the curtains are drawn |
| Lintel | Load carrying wooden or concrete beam over door or window |
| Lining | A secondary hanging sewn in at the back of a curtain to protect it from the light and improve its hanging qualities |
| London blind | Made with inverted pleats creating a swag and tail effect |
| Louvred blinds | Slatted blinds – the slats are usually made of wood, metal or plastic |
| Pelmet | Board or fabric hung at the top of the curtains to hide track and give a decorative finish |
| Pelmet board | A horizontal board used to support a pelmet and sometimes as a base for swags and tails |
| Pencil pleat heading | A curtain heading formed by a tape which, when drawn up, creates a row of narrow, densely packed folds |
| Pinolleums | Very narrow wooden slats |
| Piping | Fabric covered cording used to emphasise the edge of a curtain, pelmet or tieback – often in a seam |
| Portiere curtain | One which hangs over a door |
| Lit a la Polonnaise | A bed set lengthwise against the wall (can also be freestanding) and surmounted by a small dome |
| Pre-corded track | Curtain track bought with an integral cording system for closing and opening curtains |
| Recess | The window niche in which window is fitted |
| Recessed fitting | Curtain or blind fixed within the recess of a window |
| Return | The part of a curtain, pelmet or valance that turns around the side of a window |
| Reveal | Side wall of window niche |
| Roller blind | A blind/window shade operated by a spring mechanism, so that, when let up, it coils itself around the cylinder in which the mechanism is located |
| Roman blind | A corded blind with horizontally set rods at the back, causing the blind to form a series of lateral pleats when raised |
| Rosettes | A device for focusing attention on a particular area within a curtain arrangement. An attractive ‘finishing off’ motif for curtain headings, swags and tails and tiebacks. Can be knife pleated, choux or bow style |
| Scalloped heading | A heading with deep, rounded cutouts, which slots onto a rod or pole |
| Selvedge | The woven finished edge of fabric (running parallel to the warp) |
| Shirring | Gathering |
| Smocked heading | A heading of pencil pleats anchored together at regular intervals to create a honeycomb effect |
| Soffit | The ceiling of a recessed window |
| Swag | A generous scoop of fabric hanging from two fixed points over a window or bed |
| Swags and tails | A decorative pleated arrangement of fabric hung at the top of curtains to hide the track. Swags are draped horizontally, tails hang on either side of the curtain |
| Tails | Hanging trail of fabric, either shaped and stiffened or falling fluidly from the end of swags |
| Tie-backs | A decorative band of fabric used to hold open curtains |