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Definitions from G to S

G

H

Header: The top edge of a rod-pocket curtain that forms a ruffle when the curtain is on the rod.

Hopper Windows : These windows are hinged at the bottom and open inward from the top - the reverse of awning windows.

J

Jabot: Piece of fabric, long or short, which drape down on either side of a swag or valance, often pleated and tapered.

K

Kick Pleated Valances: Constructed like box pleats, but the pleats are spaced further apart.

Knotting: A technique used when looping and arranging fabric panels.

L

Lambrequins: Eleborate cornices, usually made of wood, which extend all or part of the way down the sides of the window. They are often padded and upholstered.

Lining: Fabric used as a backing for drapery panels. Lining can provide body and fullness, light control, and privacy. Often lining fabrics are decorative and chosen to be a pleasing contrast to the drapery fabric.

M

Mounting Board: A wooden board installed either inside or outside the window frame to which some types of window treatments are attached.

Mullion: Wood trim that sets off smaller panes of glass in a window.

N

Nap A fabric with a texture or design that runs on one direction such as corduroy and velvet. A fabric with a nap will often look different when viewed from various directions. When using a fabric with a nap, all peices must be cut and sewn together so the nap runs in only one direction.

O

Overlap: The area where drapery panels lap over each other at the center of a two-way traverse rod.

P

Passementerie: Fancy edgings or trims which emphasize the shape of the curtain, such as fringe, tassels, braid, and ruffles. Plinth: A square of decorative wood installed at the corners of a window frame.

Puddled Curtains: Curtains with long side panels allowed to drape and puddle onto the floor to create a soft, full look.

Projection: The distance from the front of the drapery rod to the wall on which it is mounted.

R

Railroading: Refers to using fabric horizontally rather than vertically. Fabric without a nap or a directional design can be railroaded easily. Used to avoid seams in long lengths of fabric (as in dust ruffles).

Repeat: How often the pattern is duplicated at intervals down the fabric or wallcovering. One repeat is one full pattern.

Return: The portion of the drapery extending from the corner of the rod to the wall, enclosing the brackets of the drapery hardware.

Right Side: The printed side of the fabric that is used as the finished side of an item. The right side generally has the most color and the most finished look to it.

Rings: Rings of wood or plastic are hooked or sewn to the top edge of a curtain and these rings are then threaded through the curtain rod.

Rod Pocket Curtains: The most common window treatment. A stitched pocket at the top of the curtain is gathered or shirred onto a curtain rod.

Roller Shades: Shades made of vinyl or fabric attached to spring rollers, mounted to the inside window casing or the window frame.

Roman Shades: Drawn up from the bottom by means of cords and rings, these shades create horizontal folds when raised. A roman shade panel is flat when lowered and covers the window glass completely.

Ruching: Extremely tight gathers used as a decorative top finish to a panel.

S

Self-Styling Tape: A stiff tape with woven-in cords used to create pleated and shirred curtains. Selvage: The selvage edges of fabric are the finished sides of the lengthwise grain.

Sheer: A drapery panel made of sheer or translucent fabric, sometimes used underneath an outer drapery.

Shirred Curtains: Curtains stretched tightly and gathered on rods at both the top and the bottom.

Stackback (or stacking space) : The area of the wall where drapery comes to rest when it is opened and the window is exposed. Draperies are sometimes installed so that the stackback clears the window frame, allowing an unobstructed view.

Stagecoach Valance: Used on narrow windows, this is a panel of fabric mounted on a board, and attached to the inside frame of the window. It is rolled up and tied in the center with a ribbon.

Straight Grain: The lengthwise threads of the fabric, running parallel to the selvages.

Swag : One or more pieces of fabric draped over a rod, typically used at the top of a window treatment with jabots. Also known as a festoon.

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