A
Acetate
Man-made fibers of cellulose acetate, and fabric made of those fibers which have a silk-like appearance and texture. Acrylic man-made fibers in which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain synthetic polymer. Soft and lightweight, with wooly feel, it’s resistant to sunlight and washes well.
A drapery product feature which affords additional insulation at the window and eliminates the need for a liner.
A customary variation from an “exact” measurement, taken for the purpose of anticipated needs.
One of the most common drapery fabrics sold. Characterized by a lustrous effect and normally composed of rayon/acetate blends.
D
Damask
Firm, glossy jacquard-patterned fabric. Damask is similar to brocade, but flatter and reversible. It can be made from linen, cotton, rayon or silk, or a combination of fibers.
May be several items: Double hung window, Double hung shutters, and Double hung draperies. Two sets of draperies, usually sheer fabric under opaque fabric, both operating independently.
Decorative fabrics for the home. Made of virtually all types of man-made fibers and blends, including glass fibers, for hanging around windows.
A cleaning method or process applied to fabrics where organic solvents are used.
H
Hand, Handle
The reaction of the sense of touch when fabrics are held in the hand. There are many factors which give character or “individuality” to a material observed through handling. A correct judgment may thus be made concerning its capabilites in content, working properties, drapability, feel, elasticity, fineness and softness, launderability, etc.
This is the top part of a drapery that accommodates the pleats. The heading can vary in depth, but the most common are 2″or 3″ high.
Refers to finished sides and bottom edges of a drapery.
I
Inherent Flame Frees
Fabric woven of flame-resistant fabric (not processed) and flame-free for life of the fabric.
J
Jacquard
A system of weaving invented in France; fabrics made on a jacquard loom have the pattern woven in. The system is used for tapestry, brocade and damask among others
L
Leno
A lightweight fabric with an open weave in which warp yarns are paired and twisted, one around the other between picks of filling.
This is a product of the flax plant. Among the properties of linen are its rapid moisture absorption, natural luster and stiffness, non fuzziness feel, and ability to not soil quickly.
A fabric backing for a drapery.
M
Malimo
Fabric made of filling yarn laid over a set of warp yarns and stitched together with a third yarn. It gives the appearance of textured robe-like yarns held together by a network of finer threads.
Appearance of a quilted weave; figured pattern with a raised, bubbly surface.
The formation of the bottom edge of a drapery panel with a 45 degree angle on hem side.
A finish given cotton, silk, acetate, rayon, nylon, etc. where bright and dim effects are observed. This is achieved by passing the fabric between engraved rollers which press the particular motif into the fabric.
O
One-Way Draw
Drapery designed to draw one way only, in one panel.
Loosely woven fabric, sometimes referred to as casement that is characterized by widely spaced openings.
A coarse, strong, plain weave fabric, medium to heavyweight, often consisting partly of cotton waste.
An overlap of a pair of draperies is the part of a drapery panel which rides the master carrier of a traverse rod and overlaps in the center when draperies are drawn. Usually 3 l/2″ on each side.
P
Panel
One half a pair of draperies or curtains.
The “repeat” of a pattern is the distance between any given point in a design to where that exact point is repeated again.
A drapery heading where the basic pleat is divided into two or three smaller equal pleats, and then sewn together at the bottom edge on the right side of the fabric.
The number of single yarns twisted together to form ply yarns. Also the number of ply yarns twisted together to form cord.
A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long-chain synthetic polymer. It is crease-resistant, quick drying and requires minimum care. Registered trademarks for Polyester include Dacron (DuPont), Kodel (Eastman), Fortrel (Celanese Corp.) and Trevira (Hoeschst Fibers).
R
Rayon
Man-made fibers of regenerated cellulose. Originally known as artificial silk, it has high absorbency, superior strength and good draping qualities.
Standard size draperies, manufactured to accommodate standard size windows; they are factory-made and available at local stores or through mail order sources.
The return of a drapery is that part of a drapery panel which is needed to cover the rod projection from the wall or window.
A hollow sleeve in the top — and sometimes the bottom — of a curtain or drapery through which a rod is inserted. The rod is then attached to a solid wall surface.
S
Sash Rod
A small rod, either decorative or plain, usually mounted inside a window frame on the sash.
One of the three basic weaves, the others being plain weave and the twill weave. The surface of satin weave cloth is made up almost entirely of warp or filling floats since in the repeat of the weave each yarn of the one system passes or floats over or under all but one yarn of the opposite yarn system. Satin weaves have a host of uses – brocade, brocatelle, damask other decorative materials.
Registered trademark name for 3Ms fluoride – based grease and water stain repellent fabric finish.
A voile with an effect produced by employing seed or nub yarn.
Each side edge of a woven fabric and an actual part of the warp in the goods. Other names for it are listing, self-edge, and raw edge.
Any transparent or very lightweight fabric, such as ninon, batiste and voile, of various constructions and yarns, especially man-made fiber yarns.
Parallel rows of short, running stitches with gatherings between rows.
The turned part forming a finished edge at the side of the drapery
The only natural fiber that comes in a filament form reeled from the cocoon, cultivated or wild.
Yarn of any type which is irregular in diameter; may be caused by error, or purposely made with slubs to bring out some desired effect to enhance a material.
T
Tab Top
A popular casual style. They are easy to install, do not require any special topper treatments and are perfect on any decorative pole. They are made with 5 to 8 tabs depending on style and width. Great for a casual look. Usually made in heavier opaque fabrics but can also be found in sheers.
A fine plain weave fabric smooth on both sides, usually with a sheen on its surface.
Polyester produced by Rhone-Poulenc Textiles of France, often used to describe imported French voile.
The first meaning is the actual number of warp threads and filling picks per inch in any cloth that has been woven. Texture is also much used by the public and in advertising circles to mean the finish and appearance of cloth.
1. The actual number of warp ends and filling picks per inch in a woven cloth. Texture is another name for this term. 2. In knitted fabric thread implies to the number of wales or ribs, and the courses per inch.
To draw across. A traverse drapery is one that opens or closes across a window by means of the traverse rod from which it is hung.
Registered trademark name for Hoeschst Fibers polyester fiber.
W
Warp
The yarns running lengthwise in the fabric parallel to the selvage, through which the filling yarns are passed.
The yarns running crosswise in the fabric from selvage to selvage at right angles to the warp.
(Chain and Lead) – Lead weights are sewn in at the vertical seams and each corner of a drapery panel. Chain weights are small beads strung in a line along the bottom hemline of sheers to insure an even hemline of sheers and straight hanging.
A word to describe a single width of fabric. Several widths of fabric are sewn together to make a panel of drapery. “Panel” is sometimes used in referring to a width of fabric
Z
Zepel
Du Pont’s registered trademark name for a chemical compound which forms a layer of film around textile fibers to prevent spots and stains from penetrating.