GLOSSARY

AUSTRIAN BLIND:
A soft fabric blind which is ruched at the base.

BOX PLEATS:
Flat, symmetrical pleats formed by folding the fabric to the back at each side of the pleat.

BUMPH:
A soft material used as interlining.

CORNICE POLE:
A curtain pole with rings, used for heavy curtains.

FESTOON BLIND:
A blind that is ruched down the whole of its length, so that pillows are formed when the blind is raised.

FINIAL:
An attachment placed at each end of a curtain pole, originally to stop the rings falling off, but usually treated as a decorative addition.

FLEMISH HEADING:
A goblet heading in which the pleats are linked along their base by hand-sewn cord.

FRENCH PLEATS:
(or pinch pleats) On a curtain heading, hand-sewn triple pleats separated by flat areas.

FULLNESS:
For curtains the length of the track is multiplied by the fullness factor required. The general range is between twice and two and a half times fullness depending upon the type of heading used and the effect required.

GOBLET HEADING:
Curtain headings consisting of hand-sewn tubes whose tops are stuffed with wadding or contrast fabric.

HALF-TESTER:
A rectangular canopy above a bed, extending only partway down the bed from the headboard.

INTERLINING:
Soft material sewn between the curtain and its lining to add bulk, to improve the "hang" of the curtain, and to improve insulation.

LAMBREQUIN:
A stiff, shaped surround to a window. Unlike a pelmet, a lambrequin continues down the sides of the frame.

PELMET:
A shaped, stiffened drapery across the window, used ornamentally and to hide the curtain rail.

PELMET BOARD:
A horizontal board used to support a pelmet or 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.

PINCH PLEATS:
See French pleats.

PIPING:
Fabric-covered cording used to emphasise the edge of a curtain, pelmet of tieback, often let in at a seam.

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

ROLLER BLINDS:
A blind, usually made of plain linen cloth, operated by a chain mechanism which allows the blind to be stopped at any distance from the top of the window.

ROMAN BLIND:
A corded blind with horizontally set rods at the back, causing the blind to form a series of lateral pleats when raised.

ROSETTE:
A decorative trim made by gathering a strip of fabric to form a circle and finished with or without a fabric-covered button.

SWAG:
A piece of lined fabric draped into folds to form a semi-circular shape. Each swag is made separately and placed onto the pelmet board or pole according to the swag design.

TAIL:
A length of shaped fabric, which is folded vertically into a concertina of pleats. At the hem of the folded tail both sides are visible from the front, so it should be lined in a main or suitable contrasting fabric.

TIE-BACK:
A shaped and stiffened band, tasselled cord, sash or ribbon used to hold back a curtain.

TRACK:
A plastic or metal fitting from which curtains are suspended when a pole is not used. Modern tracks often have cording systems and overlap arms. Some curtain tracks can have a valance track clipped onto them. Double tracks are also available, for use with two layers of fabric.

VALANCE:
A soft fabric skirt that hangs from the top of the window or bed, as an alternative to a pelmet.