Today we would like to write about what we call Swags & Jabots here at Fashion Window Treatments. This very popular window treatment style can also be referred to as a Festoon & Cascade. The word festoon originated from the Latin word festo and was used to describe a wreath or garland hanging from two points. When depicting fabric or linen the motif became known as a swag, as to hang in a drooping curve.
A jabot, which can also be called cascade or tail, is a vertical, normally pleated piece of fabric used with festoons or swags. The original purpose of a jabot was to hide the seams between individual swags, though their purpose today is simply decorative (unlike most curtains, jabots do not serve to block the passage of light). Visually, they represent a continuation of the swag over the ends of a pole or board, and are generally made of the same decorator fabric on the facing side as the swag itself. Jabots are often lined with a different style or color of fabric which is then revealed along its bottom edge with each pleat. One can also use the same fabric to line the jabot as the main swag and jabot fabric, which we refer to as “self” lining.