Window Treatment Glossary
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Applique`
Where a piece of fabric is an overlay onto a bottom fabric to form a decorative application or specific cut out pattern then sewn onto the bottom fabric for texture and depth.

Angelica
Similar to swags and cascade valances, but less formal in nature. Fabric is cut straight from fabric width (unless more than 3' wide) and pleated at the top to create scallop or swag look. It represents an informal closed swag. Tails representing cascades are flatter and more square in a layered fashion sometimes accompanied by rosettes on top.

Austrian Shade
Shade that is gathered and drawn by vertical shirring down both sides and possibly one or two other vertical areas of the shade to create folds of swag-like billowing of fabric folds from top to bottom. Usually made of sheer fabrics and used as an under-treatment or bathrooms over glass block. When drawn makes fabric folds tighter all the way to the top of the shade.

Avalon Valance
This valance resembles a cornice in that it has structured returns and fabric represents tightly connected swags that are tightly pulled on the outer end and tapered on a diagonal in the middle with one swag overlapping the other. Similar to a turban style - but with swagged fabric instead of gathered.

Balloon Shades
Fabric shade that has swag-like folds of fabric at the bottom edge when drawn by vertical shirring down both sides and possibly one or two other vertical areas of the shade that draws up in loose gathers. Unlike the Austrian Shade, these poufs are permanent and only gather at the bottom of the shade, not all the way to the top like Austrians. They have a curved horizontal bottom when drawn.

Banner Valance
Banners are like pennant flags that hang in triangles forming "v's" from a rod or on a board much like a diagonally folded handkerchief overlay many times. Often these banners are bordered with a contrasting fabric or a fabric of a different texture for a dramatic look and can have multiple lengths for overlays.

Banding
To frame or border a piece of work with a contrasting or similar strip of contrast fabric to add interest to the finished work. Banding can be placed anywhere - sides to frame a window, top to bring the eye up, bottom to ground the work, inside two panels to add focus to the window, or diagonal to add abstract interest or focal point.

Bias Cut
A diagonal cut across the nap of the fabric, usually a 45 degree angle, allowing ease and "give" for curving and swagging and for bindings to curve around something without creasing or "denting". This is used for formal structured swags as a rule, and for welting around curves.; or to add interest to straight welting on bedding or pillows with patterned fabric cut on the bias. Stripes particularly look amazing done this way. But some patterns do not look right cut on the bias. Up an down patterns in particular sometimes will not work. An example would be toiles with story pictures.

Black Out Drapery or Shade
Custom Drapery or Shades that are manufactured using normal fabric with a Black Out type lining to block the light that filters through the fabric. Many times inner lining is used in addition to black out lining. This treatment will darken the room, also will shield against heat and cold coming through or leaking out; and can even work as a sound barrier between window and outside noise. There are different grades and types of black out lining.

Bleed Through
This is quite common on printed fabric or when two fabrics are used in layers. Sometimes the darker color of the bottom one will "bleed through" to the top one in the light and spoil the color and pattern of the top one. This can be corrected with the use of interlining in addition to lining.

Blind Stitch
This window treatment glossary term is a stitch is used on the side and bottom hems of drapery panels to make them hang straight. There is more fabric on the sides and bottom folds and this keeps the fabric neater and straighter than top stitching. It also looks more professional. You can tell the quality of a workrooms work just by looking at the sides of the panels. Blind Stitching is a much more desirable and professional finish.

Brocade
A woven fabric suitable for drapery and upholstery that has both a matte finish and a shiny finish, and that is woven in the background. Most of the time there are gold or silver threads added in the weave, but not always. Shiny patterns give a raised-look effect, almost an embroidered look.

Buckram
A stiff fabric treated with glue that is used to shape ruffles around pillows, tops of drapery, any window treatment that needs to have fabric "stand up" or need to hold a particular shape, like a goblet pleat. Similar to crinoline.

Bullion Drapery Trim
Very long thick twisted rope-type cording that is twisted and looped to attach to drapery, bedding, pillows, etc. for interesting trim features.

Bump
A thick blanket-like fabric that is often used as interlining for drapery for insulation and some sound-proofing with other liners and face fabric. It is place between the face fabric and the lining and makes the window treatment thicker and more luxurious.

Café Curtain
Short drapery to cover the bottom half of a window and can traverse or be stationary, pleated or gathered at the top; and usually accompanied by a matching or contrasting top treatment with the top part of the window being left bare.

Cantonniere
A Cornice that has long sides that go to the floor framing the window usually made of wood and wrapped with fabric and some foam padding. Great window treatment for light-blocking needs in bedrooms and media rooms or theaters.

Cartridge Pleat
Often confuses with a Goblet Pleat, a cylindrical fold of fabric lined with buckram to hold the cylinder shape at the top of a drape or panel. These pleats can range from just a few inches to over a foot long for great drama effects and at a tall window and be very narrow or very wide depending upon the height of the window treatment and how dramatic you want them to be. However, what separates the two is the tucking or tacking at the bottom of the goblet pleat. For a Cartridge Pleat - there is none. It creates a rolling effect of the fabric and the cylinder is stuffed to hold it's shape. The goblet pleat has tucking or tacking at the bottom to add detail or trim to the drape.

Cascades
Side treatments to valances and/or cornices that is separate pair of end treatments with returns that fall in folds creating a zig-zag effect, left and right framing the window, usually lined with contrasting fabric or self-lined with same fabric as front. Sometimes referred to as "side tails"

Casual Swags
Free-form folds of fabric - usually gathered at the ends - cut straight on fabric - and assembled in a sweeping fashion on a pole or board that drapes into informal folds in a semicircle fashion. Usually has cascades and jabots to accompany the end of the swags or center. Casual Swag

Chenille
A beautiful soft fabric getting it's original name from the caterpillar for the softness. This fabric is now made from synthetic materials also, but originally was cottons and wool derived. This fabric makes heavy rich drapery and bedding. Oftentimes found in deep paisley patterns or raised texturesin single colors. Chenille and velvet can look different colors from different angles. (See other drapery fabrics in this Window Treatment GlossaryA-D)

C.O.M.
Better known as Customers Own Material - a window treatment glossary term you see frequently in the industry and not something that every designer allows. Let me explain. This is where the customer purchases their own fabric and supplies it to the workroom or designer to create the finished product. Most designers only source of profit is on the fabric, and most will not accept this deal. Other reasons for rejecting it is the quality of the fabric. Good workrooms are particular about the quality of fabric, and for good reason. Some fabrics are just inappropriate for the design proposed. Better to leave this job to the professionals if you want a professional job done for you.

Contemporary Drapery Hardware
Represents modern flair for drapery fixtures like sleek new shiny metals and composition jewels and unique knobs. These are styles "in the now". They are fashionable today, have modern components, and are the current trend in custom drapery hardware. Contemporary Drapery Hardware

Corner Pleated Swags
These are typical corner pleated swags commonly used to embellish stationary panels. Often use of tapestry or seasonal fabric used for these swags as they are easily changed through rings attached at each end of the panel. Width is usually the same with as the stack of the panels and fall down over the front of the drapery panels like a normal swag would. Can be either gathered or pleated at the ends where they are attached to rings. (Check other swags in the Window Treatment Glossary under the "S" for more detailed info on swags).

Cornices
A wooden top window treatment that is upholstered like furniture and can be straight or curved at the bottom, plain or fancy with overlays of fabrics or inlaid with decorative items; originally made to hide the drapery hardware. Also a great way to block the light that escapes at the top of a window treatment, because the cornice usually has a dust cover. Professional Custom Cornices are as beautifully finished like fine furniture.

Cottage Style Window Treatments
These are the counterpart to café curtains, these are over the top of café curtains with a valance and tied back on each side, exposing the upper part of the window to view outside. These curtains are usually unlined and lend themselves well to kitchen windows.

Crinoline
This is essentially another word for Buckram. It is a stiffened fabric that is layered between two fabrics to keep them firm and from bending and standing up, like the ruffles of a pillow or the header of drapery. Has the feel of heavily starched fabric.

Curtains
Usually a short drape and unlined; but can be long, and hung from a curtain rod over a window. Usually unlined, short and comes in pairs of hemmed and finished panels. Curtains

Custom Drapery
Custom Made-To-Order Drapery and specific to each measured window to be an exact fit and manufactured in a drapery workroom. A broad term specifically for this Window Treatment GlossaryA-D.

Damask
A fine drapery fabric that has a pattern on both sides and can be reversible with the designs woven into the fabric. Originally used for fine table linens, graduated to window treatments, also. Fabric is solid color and textured from the weave but reflective in nature of the weave.

Decorative Hardware
Showy pieces of drapery rods and accessories that hold drapes, shades, valances like finials, scarf rings, medallions,twisted poles, tiebacks, etc. Usually made of wood or metal and special decorations for appeal.

Double Hemmed
A heavier bottom drape using twice the hem fabric to double it in equal amounts. This adds weight to the bottom of the drape so they stay in place better. Many workrooms add drapery weights to the bottom of the drapes for the same reason. Some us drapery chain weights.

Double Top Header
This is similar to double hemmed - only at the top of the drapes and not the bottom. This gives a sturdier top for pleats and hanging purposes and makes the drapes look nicer from the back because this is a finished like the front fabric that hides the buckram and lining.

Drapery Rings and Hooks
The hardware for holding drapery either to the rod or to the window can vary in style, color, and type vastly. Everything from custom iron drapery hardware, chrome, wood drapery rings, decorative knobs and creative hooks, are just a few of the endless supply. The drapery rings allow the drapes to move freely on the pole and hooks keep stationary scarves and swags in place.

Drapery
Long Window Coverings that are usually lined and hung from rods and have uniform tops like pinch pleat, etc. that open and close for privacy.

Drapery Accessories
Classified as any decorative item that enhances or enriches the drapery treatment as an embellishment.

Drapery Hardware
Any fixture that supports drapery or shades that are hung on windows like rods, rings, hooks, brackets, etc.

Drapery Hold Backs
decorative hardware accessories mounted to sides of window to hold back drapery panels to expose more of the window and afford more light into the room.

Drapery Rod and Rings
A drapery rod with matching rings that are attached to the drapes to allow them to traverse open and closed freely.

Dye Lot
Fabric that has been manufactured all at once with a particular color or pattern has a specific dye lot. Another "batch" may have a different dye lot. They may vary in color and not recommended unless physically compared for color before ordering. Best to get a sample of both and match them physically yourself.


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