Glossary of Terms

Bell	Outward projecting "bell" or "cone" shaped feature on a curtain.
Bias Cut	45-degree angle to the grain of a fabric utilized to create a smoother fit (fabric will drape nicer), however, images on fabric will be diagonal as to what is normal.
Blackout Lining	Lining that is used in replace of standard curtain lining to block out light and help protect drapery from sun damage.
Box Pleat	A tuck or pleat of fabric that is pressed flat either in the front or the back of a curtain or drape.
Buckram	Also called crinoline, it is the stiffening in the top of pinch pleat draperies enabling pleats to hold their shape.
Casing	Trim around a window or door opening.
Closed Box Pleat	Tucks or pleats of fabric are pressed flat so that the edges of the pleats touch each other all the way across the front and all the way across the back of the drape or curtains.
Cording	Machine-made or handmade decorative binding.
Double Hem	The hem is turned over 2 times so there are two complete layers of fabric behind the front of the fabric.
Drop	A term for length commonly used in reference to swags and valances or items where the length is shorter than the width.
Fabrication	The process of manufacturing raw goods into a finished product.
Face Fabric	The decorative fabric on a curtain that "faces" into the room, lining would be behind it.
Fan-folded	This is a back and forth fold like an accordion. Pinch pleated draperies are folded this way by folding pleat to pleat. This helps to train the folds of the drapery and makes handling the drapery easier and neater for installation.
Finished width	Distance from side to side of a curtain plus distance added for projections.
Fullness	The amount of extra fabric added to a finished measurement to create the desired "full" effect. 2 1/2 to3 times the total width of a curtain or drape is standard custom fullness.
Header	Extra fabric at the top of a treatment that is only for decorative purposes. The extra fabric above the rod pocket in a curtain creates a ruffle effect when the curtain is shirred on the rod.
Interlining	A flannel like cotton fabric that can be used to hang between the lining and face fabric of a drapery - will create a more lush appeal to the drapery. Also can be used as a source for insulating.
Inverted Box Pleat	Tucks or pleats of fabric are taken in the back of the curtaint and pressed flat against the back but the sides do not touch.
Jabot	The side portion of a curtain where fabric is draped in soft folds vertically.
Open Box Pleat	Tucks or pleats of fabric are taken on the front of the drapes and pressed flat against the front but there is a space between the edges of the pleats.
Overlap	The space before the first pleat in a panel of pinch pleat drapery that will overlap the opposite panel of drapery.
Pair Width	Rod width plus one overlap plus two returns. This is the measurement you would get if you took 2 panels of a pair of pinch pleat draperies and you laid them down end to end width-wise, not overlapping. This measurement allows for the panels, when hung, to completely fit and hug against the rod when closed with no buckling of the buckram between the pleats.
Panel Width	The pair width divided by 2. This is the finished width of a panel drape.
Pelmet	A decorative accessory to be placed in between multiple swags for a more finished look. Pelmets are not a necessity - they are made with the same fabric as the swag itself and are used based on sole preference.
Pillowcase	The technique where face fabric and lining are seamed together, usually with a 1/2" seam, then turned and pressed so the seam becomes the very edge of the item. Ideally all of the face fabric is on one side and all of the lining fabric is on the other side. In most cases where the lining is not to be seen, the face fabric is rolled to the back side 1/8" to 1/4". In some cases the face fabric is rolled back as much as 1/2" and may still be referred to as pillow-casing.
Projection	Another name for return. The distance from the wall to the front of the rod.
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 wall covering. One repeat is one full pattern.
Return	The measurement from the front of the rod or board back to the wall.
Rod Pocket	A flat casing across a panel through which a rod will be inserted. It is also the name of a drapery with this casing across the top of the panel. The drapery is mounted by inserting the rod through this casing.
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.
Scallop	Curved shapes repeated along the edge of an object.
Self-Lined	The face of the fabric is also used as the lining.
Sleeve	A decorative casing made to cover a rod without a panel hanging below it. It may or may not have a header on top and/or bottom.
Stationary Panels	Purely decorative drapery panels that do not open and close.
Thermal Lining	Lining used in replace of standard lining. This lining will help insulate your home.
Valance Board	The flat board with no front or sides from which a board mounted valance is hung.