| Back to index Next Page Previous Page |
© Copyright Merrick & Day
| ALLOWANCE - A measurement which has to be added in order to
turn in the fabric neatly at the seams, hems or headings. ARCHITRAVE - The wooden surround to a door or window frame. BATTEN - A narrow length of wood. COLOURWAY - One of many combinations of colours in a print. CONTRAST BINDING - Strips of contrasting fabric sewn onto the edges for decorative effect. CORNICE AND COVING - Decorative or curved moulding where the wall meets the ceiling. CORONA - A semicircular fitting used to hang curtains above a bed. CUT DROP - The cut length of fabric. It is the finished length of the curtain or top with turning allowances added at the top and hem. CUT DIAMETER - The cut size of a round table cloth. The finished size with a turning allowance added all round. DROP PATTERN REPEAT- The measurement of a pattern which repeats itself diagonally across the width. ESS HOOK - A figure of eight hook to extend the curtain length. It adds a link between the track eye and the curtain hook. FABRIC-COVERED LATH A narrow pelmet board with a fabric covered buckram fascia to conceal the curtain track. FINIAL - A round or pointed shape, screwed into a curtain pole at both ends to contain the rings. FINISHED LENGTH OF THE CURTAIN - The length of the curtain when ready to hang. FULLNESS RATIO - The relationship between the track or pelmet board measurement and the width of the ungathered curtain or valance. Fullness ratios range from 1.5 times fullness to 3 times fullness depending on the heading. GRAIN LINE - The direction of threads on woven fabrics HALF-TESTER - A rectangular pelmet board or curtain rail above a bed. HEADING - The way the the top of a curtain, etc. is finished. HOOK TO FLOOR/SILL - The measurement from the eye of the track or pole ring to the floor/sill. HOOK TO HEM-The measurement from the top of the hook to the bottom of the curtain. HOOK TO TOP-The measurement from the top of the hook to the top of the finished curtain. LAMBREQUIN - A pelmet with deep sides which can extend to the floor. LEADING EDGE - The edge of the curtain facing into the centre of the window as opposed to the outside edge. |
LOOSE LINED
CURTAIN- Has a detachable lining so that curtain and lining can be washed
separately. Not often used. OMBRA - A decorative round fitting with a stem to fix it to the wall; used to hold the curtains open. ONE-WAY DESIGN - Has a directional pattern or weave going onlv one way. OVERLAP ARMS - Extentions of corded tracks which let the curtains cross over at the centre. OVERLAP ALLOWANCE - Extra width to allow curtains to cross over, avoiding draughty gaps. OVERLONG - Extra length to allow curtains to lie on the floor. Also called 'puddling'. PATTERN REPEAT - The length of the pattern before it repeats itself. PELMET - A fabric covered band of buckram or plywood which is fixed onto the front edge of a pelmet board. It conceals the curtain track and heading. PELMET BOARD - A piece of planed timber fixed to the wall like a shelf, used to support a curtain track, valance, etc. PIN HOOKS - Small metal hooks that are stabbed into the back of hand sewn headings. PIPING - Cord sandwiched inside a strip of fabric, often in a contrasting colour, and inserted into a seam. RETURN - The space between the front of the window treatment and the wall. This is covered to give a neat finish. CURTAIN RETURN - The outside edge which turns the corner from the face of the track to the wall. PELMET BOARD RETURN - The measurement from the front of the board to the wall, covered by the pelmet or valance return. SELVEDGE - The woven side edges of fabric. SOFFIT - The underside of the top of the window SPACERS - Small wood or plastic rings inserted between the underside of pelmet boards and tracks to create a gap for brackets or to lower curtains. STACK BACK - The wall area at the side of the window covered by the curtain. The curtain 'stacks back' or folds into this area when opened. STIFFENING - Stiff fabric used inside flat pelmets and tie-backs. TESTER - A full canopy over a four-poster bed. TOLERANCE - An extra measurement added to the finished width of curtain for ease of movement. TRACK - A metal or plastic rail from which the curtains are hung from gliders. VALANCE - A gathered band of fabric hung from the front edge of a pelmet board or valance rail. It hides the track and curtain heading. A valance is the fabric equivalent of a pelmet and serves the same purpose. WINDOW RECESS - The area inside the reveal of the window where blinds and sheer curtains can be fitted. |
| Back to index Next Page Previous Page |