Glossary
A
Acetate: Acetate is a manufactured fiber composed of acetylated cellulose.
Acrylic: Acrylic is a manufactured fiber derived from petrochemical by-products. (Ex. Wicking Cloud)
Alpaca Wool: Alpaca wool is the textile fiber obtained from alpaca. Naturally hypoallergenic, alpaca fiber offers the exceptional softness of sheep's wool without itchiness or sensitivity. This lightweight material boasts a natural luster and beautiful drape, while also being highly durable and moisture-wicking, ensuring a long-lasting lifespan. Alpaca wool is resistant to flames, wrinkles, pills, and color-fading. Eastern Accent's alpaca wool is sourced from the Peruvian Andes and certified by the International Alpaca Association. (Ex. Brahms Fern)
Aramid: Aramid is a type of chemically manufactured fiber. Aramid fibers are polyamides that are strong and fire-resistant.
B
Bar Tack: Bar tack is a sewing machine operation of repeated stitches, concentrated to secure the lowest portion of curtain pleats.
Bast Fiber: Bast fiber refers to a plant fiber located between the pithy center of the stem and the skin. Examples are flax, jute, hemp, and ramie.
Blind Stitching: Blind stitching is stitching that is only visible on one side of a fabric.
Bolt: A bolt is an entire length of fabric, rolled full-width on a tube.
Border (trim): A border is similar to, but is wider than, a gimp. It is a flat, woven textile made in many styles. One or both edges of a border may be plain, cut, or have scalloped loops. Borders are sometimes woven in patterns such as stripes or chevrons. (Ex. Border Amberlynn)
Boucle: Boucle is a knit or woven fabric made from a rough, curly, knotted yarn. The fabric has a looped, knotted surface. (Ex. Marl Cream)
Box Pleat: A box pleat is a fold of cloth sewn in place to create fullness. Box pleats are evenly spaced and stitched. Note: We do not recommend using a box pleat panel with a traverse rod because box pleat panels do not stack back well.
Brocade: Brocade is a heavy, jacquard-type fabric with an all-over raised pattern or floral design. (Ex. Lourde Celadon)
Brush Fringe: A brush fringe is a cut fringe with a flat skirt made of thin yarns. The heading of a brush fringe can vary from simple to elaborate. (Ex. Brush Fringe Aiden)
Buckram: Buckram is a stiff fabric (usually made of cotton), used for reinforcing curtain panel headers.
Bullion Fringe: A bullion fringe is a fringe made of plain or crepe cords rather than yarns. The heading can range from simple to decorative. (Ex. Bullion Palermo)
C
C.O.M.: C.O.M. stands for Customer's Own Material.
Calendaring: Calendaring refers to a process for finishing fabrics that can produce high luster, embossing, glazing, or moire.
Cartridge Pleat Curtain: A cartridge pleat panel has approximately 1.5 inch diameter pleats with cardboard tubes inserted in the pleats to stabilize and maintain the shape of the pleats.
Cascade (Drapery): A cascade is a fall of fabric which descends in a zigzag line from a curtain heading or top window treatment.
Cashmere: Cashmere is a fine fiber obtained from the undercoat of the Himalayan Cashmere goat.
Center Draw: Center draw refers to a pair of curtains that draw open and closed at a window's center point.
Center Support: A center support is a bracket used to support the center of a drapery pole or rod, preventing the rod from sagging in the middle.
Chenille: Chenille is a special yarn with a fuzzy pile protruding on all sides produced by first weaving a fabric - usually with cotton or linen warp and silk, wool, rayon, or cotton weft. The warps are taped in groups of four and the wefts are beaten in very closely. After weaving, the fabric is cut lengthwise between each of these groups of warp yarns, each cutting producing continuous chenille which is then twisted. The word "chenille" means "caterpillar" in French. (Ex. Benedict Taupe)
Chiffon: Chiffon is a plain woven, soft, sheer fabric often made of silk or rayon.
Chintz: Chintz is a cotton fabric, with or without a printed pattern, that has a glaze created by applying resin and calendaring.
Colorblock: Colorblock or colorblocking refers to the pairing of usually bold and bright colors in design, typically in a collage style.
Cord (Trim): A cord is plied yarn that has been twisted together. When used for a seam, a tape is sewn onto the edge of the cord. Cords are frequently used in place of fabric welts. (Ex. Cord Caldwell)
Corduroy: Corduroy is cut pile fabric, usually made of cotton, in which the ribbed pile is produced with a supplementary weft yarn. (Ex. Zeta Copper)
Cornice: A cornice is a shallow, box-like structure, usually made of wood, secured across the top of a window to conceal drapery hardware.
Cornice Board: A cornice board is the horizontal board used as support for a cornice or as a foundation for swags and tails.
Cotton: Cotton is a natural, cellulosic seed hair fiber obtained from the seedpod of the cotton plant.
Couching: Couching is a fabric embellishment technique where a cord, yarn, or other decorative element is laid onto the fabric surface and secured with stitches. It's a way to add texture and visual interest, often used in embroidery and machine sewing. (Ex. Arlet Natural)
Crewel: Crewel is a hand embroidery technique from Kashmir in which fine, loosely twisted two-ply yarn is chain-stitched on cotton cloth. Imperfections, color variations, irregularities, natural black specks, dye marks, and dirt spots are characteristics that label it as genuine. These fabrics are handwoven by artisans in India, and the beauty of the cloth is in its natural, homespun appearance.
Crushed Fabrics: Crushed fabrics -typically velvet or satin- are those treated with heat, moisture, and pressure in finishing to distort pile formation. (Ex. Pieta Smoke)
Cut Pile: Cut pile is a fabric in which the pile is cut rather than looped, creating a velvet effect.
D
Damask: Damask was originally a rich silk fabric with woven floral designs made in China and introduced to Europe through Damascus, from which it derived its name. Typically, damasks are woven with a single beam (warp) with one or two weft colors. Fancy damasks reveal a smooth warp satin in the background with a low lustre, reverse satin in the motif. In two color damasks, the colors reverse on both sides. Single damask is made with a five-harness satin weave; the true, or double (or reverse) damask, is woven with an eight-harness satin weave and has a firm hand. Today, a damask is typically a glossy, jacquard fabric, usually made from linen, cotton, rayon, silk, or blends. (Ex. Arthur Ochre)
Denim: Denim is a yarn-dyed cotton cloth woven in a warp-faced twill, usually with a dyed warp and a natural weft.
Double Valance: A double valance has two layers of fabric that are not sewn together on the bottom edge. The top layer of fabric is typically shorter than the back layer of fabric.
Drapery Hook: A drapery hook is a metal pin used to fasten curtains to a rod. It pins into curtain pleats and hooks to a traverse carrier or cafe rod. Also referred to as Pin-on-Hooks.
Drop: Drop is the length of a bed skirt, measured from the bed's box spring to the floor. The drop is also referred to as the skirt drop.
Duck: Duck is a broad term for a wide range of plain weave fabrics. Duck is usually made of cotton, although sometimes linen is used. The terms "canvas" and "duck" are often interchangeable, but canvas is often used to refer to heavier constructions. The term duck had its origins before the mid-19th century when all canvas for sails was imported. The light flax sail fabrics imported mostly from England and Scotland bore the trademark stencil of a raven, while the weights bore the trademark of a duck. The word duck became associated with a heavy fabric and was applied to cotton canvas when it was first manufactured in the U.S.
Dutch Euro Sham: Dutch Euro shams are shams measuring at 27x37 inches - equivalent to the height of regular Euro Sham and the width of a King Sham.
E
Egyptian Cotton: Egyptian cotton is a fine, lustrous, long-staple cotton that produces a soft, high-quality fabric. (Ex. Nuvola Classic White)
Elasticity: Elasticity is the ability of a fiber or fabric to return to its original length, shape, or size immediately after the removal of stress.
Embossing: Embossing is a calendaring process which produces a raised design or pattern in relief. The design is pressed into fabric or leather by passing it through hot, engraved rollers. Velvet or plush is embossed by shearing the pile to different levels or by pressing parts flat. (Ex. Mackay Embossed Decorative Pillow)
Embroidery: Embroidery refers to the process in which threads are sewn on a fabric, creating a design. (Ex. Miranda Sand)
End Brackets: End brackets are the two supporting grips which secure a curtain rod to a wall and affect projection from the wall.
Eyelet: Eyelet is a type of fabric or trim that features patterned cut-outs, around which stitching or embroidery may be applied in order to prevent the fabric from unraveling. (Ex. Eyelet Trim Budding Spring)
F
Face Fabric: Face fabric is the primary fabric of a product; on curtain panels, it is the fabric that faces the interior of a room.
Facing: Facing is a strip of fabric over a main fabric that hides raw fabric edges and unlined curtains.
Faille: Faille is a glossy, soft, finely-ribbed, silk-like, woven fabric made from cotton, silk, or manufactured fiber.
Faux Bois: Faux bois refers to the artistic imitation of wood or wood grains. The term means "false wood" in French. (Ex. Hobart Fog)
Felt: Felt is a fabric made from fibers not taken to yarn form but instead enmeshed by heat, moisture, and agitation. Felt can also be a fabric made by shrinking and agitating woven or knit cloth to obtain superior density, resilience, and strength.
Filament: A filament is a continuous strand of silk or manufactured fiber.
Fil Coupe: Fil Coupe is a French term that translates to "cut thread" in English. It refers to a weaving technique where threads are woven into a fabric and then strategically cut, creating a delicate, tactile fringe effect on the surface. This technique is often used in jacquard fabrics, particularly for lightweight fabrics like silk, to add subtle texture and a unique appearance. (Ex. Nobu Teal)
Fill Power: Fill power refers to the quality and fluffiness of down, measured as the amount of space one ounce of down occupies in cubic inches. A higher fill power indicates better quality, higher loft, and greater insulation because the down can trap more air.
Finial: A finial is a decorative end piece on a drapery pole or traverse rod. A finial is also called a pole end. (Ex. Metallo Nickel Trumpet Finial)
Finished Length: Finished length refers to the length of curtain panels after they have been made.
Finished Width: Finished width refers to the width of curtain panels after they have been made. Note: The finished width for all Eastern Accents single width panels (both pleated and flat styles, with a standard 2.5 fullness) is approximately 20 inches.
Flame-Resistant Fabric: Flame-resistant fabric is fabric with a fiber content or topical finish that makes it difficult to ignite and slow to burn.
Flame-Retardant Fabric: Flame-retardant fabric is manufactured fabric with a fiber content made or treated to resist burning, and that passes most fire code requirements.
Flange: A flange is a decorative finish on a fabric, and is sewn into a seam. To avoid having the flange droop, a pellon may be inserted to stabilize the flange.
Flannel: Flannel is a fabric with a surface that is slightly napped in finish. (Ex. Brera Gray)
Flax: Bast fiber is extracted from the flax plant's stem by retting to produce linen. Linen fiber is often mistaken for flax, particularly in blends.
Fringe (Trim): Fringe is a decorative edging with hanging tassels or threads. (Ex. Fringe Isolde)
Fullness (Drapery): Fullness refers to the proportion of the finished width of a window treatment compared to the width of the mounting board or drapery pole. The most common fullness is 2.5, which indicates the width of the mounting board or drapery pole is multiplied by 2.5 to obtain the finished width of the valance or curtain panel.
G
Gathered Heading: A gathered heading is a heading for a curtain or valance in which the heading is gathered by means of a gathering tape.
Gathering Tape: Gathering tape is tape that, when stitched to the top of a curtain or valance, creates a gathered effect when the cords that run through the tape are pulled.
Gimp (Trim): A gimp is a flat, narrow, woven textile made in many styles. One or both edges of a gimp can be plain, cut, or have scalloped loops. (Ex. Hugo Citron Gimp)
Gingham: Gingham is a yarn-dyed, combed, or carded cotton fabric woven into a series of simple patterns (such as checks, stripes, or plaids) in two or more colors. (Ex. Tila Leaf)
Goblet Pleats: Goblet pleats are pleats that have a padded top edge, pushed out in a goblet-type shape. These pleats are similar to pinch pleats. Note: We do not recommend using a goblet pleat panel with a traverse rod because goblet pleat panels do not stack back well.
Grommet Curtain: A grommet curtain is a flat curtain panel with grommets attached along the top, which allow it to be threaded on a drapery pole.
Grosgrain Ribbon: A grosgrain ribbon is a heavy, corded ribbon. (Ex. Ribbon Halo)
Gusset: A gusset refers to the depth of a mattress or fitted sheet.
H
Hand: Hand is a qualitative term used to describe the tactile properties of a fabric. Literally, the word refers to the feel of a fabric in the hand.
Heading or Header: A heading or header is the folded, usually stiffened, portion across the top of a curtain.
Heat Set Finish: Heat set finishing is a process used to stabilize manufactured fiber fabrics in order to guarantee they do not change shape or size. Heat setting is used to permanently impart a crease, a pleat, or durability into a fabric or garment -a finish that will remain through repeated washings and dry cleanings.
Heat Transfer Printing: Heat transfer printing is a method that transfers designs from rolls of paper to polyester or other thermoplastic fibers. Designs are preprinted with disperse dyes on paper, and under high temperature, are transferred onto fabric when both are passed through a heat transfer printing machine. Disperse dyes are the only dyes that can sublimate and, therefore, are the only dyes that can be used. This printing process is an adaptation of the decalcomania method.
Hem: A hem is a finished edge of a sewn item.
Hemstitch: A hemstitch is a stitch used to create a decorative, open weave pattern. A hemstitch is created by sewing along a line from which threads have been drawn out, gathering the cross threads into a series of small groups.
Herringbone: Herringbone is a twill weave that reverses direction across a fabric to form a chevron design. (Ex. Kilbourne Rust)
Hide or Leather Hide: Hide refers to the raw skin of an animal that has been processed through tanning to create a durable, flexible material. It's essentially the raw material from which leather products are made. (Ex. Tudor Gold Leather Hide)
Holdback: Holdbacks are decorative pieces of hardware, fabric, or tassels designed to hold curtains back from the window to allow light passage, or to add a decorative touch to the window treatment. Holdbacks are also referred to as tiebacks. (Ex. Quincy Pearl Rope Tieback)
Honeycomb: Honeycomb is a pique weave in a hexagonal shape. It is also known as waffle weave.
Houndstooth: Houndstooth is a pointed check effect produced by a two-up, two-down broken twill with four ends and four picks in a repeat. (Ex. Johnstown Charcoal)
I
Inside Mount Window Treatment: An inside mount window treatment is installed inside a window frame.
Interlining: Interlining is a layer of fabric (Eastern Accents uses cotton flannel) between the face fabric and the lining.
Inverted Pleat Curtain: An inverted pleat curtain features pleats constructed of a reversed box pleat that causes a fabric's fullness to turn inward. Note: We do not recommend using an inverted pleat panel with a traverse rod because inverted pleats do not stack back well.
J
Jacquard: Jacquard is a woven fabric, manufactured by using the Jacquard attachment on a loom. This attachment provides versatility in designs and permits individual control of each of the warp yarns. Brocade and damask are examples of jacquard woven fabrics. (Ex. Adobo Charcoal)
Jute: Jute is a bast fiber obtained from the round or long pod jutes of the family Tiliaceae. It is grown extensively in Pakistan and India, and is mainly found in the Bengal district of Pakistan. (Ex. Border Silas)
K
Kick Pleat: A kick pleat (or inverted pleat) is a reversed box pleat that causes a fabric's fullness to turn inward. This type of pleat is commonly used on the corners of a bed skirt to hide the bed frame legs.
Kilim: Kilim fabric is a type of pileless, flat-woven textile produced using a specific weaving technique called "slit weave". This technique interweaves warp and weft threads to create a flat, dense surface without a pile, often resulting in crisp, geometric designs. Kilims are traditionally made from natural fibers like wool and cotton. (Ex. Fortnum Redrocks)
Knife Edge: A knife edge is a seam without a decorative finish.
L
Lace: Lace is an openwork fabric produced by a network of threads that are twisted together and sometimes knotted to form patterns. Lace is made by hand with needles or hooks, or by machinery. (Ex. Lace Juliet A)
Laser Cutting: Laser cutting is a precise and efficient method that cuts or engraves materials, like fabric, to create shapes, patterns, or smooth cuts. The machine works by focusing a high-powered light beam on an area to burn, melt, or vaporize the material while following the pattern or shape programmed into the machine.
Linen: Linen is a strong, lustrous yarn made from flax fiber. (Ex. Breeze Linen)
Lining: Lining is a fabric backing of an item such as a curtain panel.
Long-Staple: Long-staple refers to fabrics that have relatively long fibers.
Loom State: Loom state refers to goods as they come off the loom before converting or finishing.
Loop Fringe: A loop fringe is similar to a brush fringe except the yarns at the base of the skirt are looped, not cut. The bottom edge of a loop fringe can be straight or scalloped. (Ex. Loop Fringe Lucerne)
M
Matelasse: Matelasse is a woven fabric similar to a brocatelle. It has two warps that, in weaving, achieve a puckered or quilted effect. In French, "matelasse" means "to quilt" or "to pad". (Ex. Costa Indigo)
Mitered: Mitered refers to a border or a flange that is matched in the corners with a diagonal seam.
Mitered Corner: In draperies, a mitered corner is the formation of the bottom edge with a 45-degree angle on the hem side.
Mohair: Mohair is long, white, lustrous hair obtained from the Angora goat. Mohair plush is a fabric with a cut pile of mohair yarns that are lustrous and extremely strong, and will hold a permanent embossing. (Ex. Bach Truffle)
Moire: Moire is a finishing process that produces a wavy or rippled pattern on a fabric, and is unique from fabric to fabric. In French, "moire" means "watered". (Ex. Ciel Daiquiri)
Multi-Draw: Multi-draw refers to multiple curtains on one rod that may be simultaneously opened and closed.
Muslin: Muslin is a plain weave, strong cotton cloth.
N
Nap: Nap is a fuzzy texture created when fiber ends extend from the basic fabric structure to the fabric surface. A fabric may be napped on one or both sides.
Nylon: Nylon is a generic term for synthetic polyamide fibers.
O
One-Way Draw: One-way draw refers to single-panel curtains designed to open and close only one way.
Opacity: Opacity is the degree to which a solid material or fabric blocks light.
Organza: Organza is a thin, transparent silk, rayon, or nylon fabric made in a plain weave and given a stiff, wiry finish.
Outside Mount Window Treatment: An outside mount window treatment is installed outside a window frame, on the wall.
Overlap: An overlap is the part of a curtain panel that rides the master carrier of a traverse rod and overlaps in the center when the curtains are drawn closed. An overlap is typically 3.5 inches on each side.
Overlay Curtain: An overlay curtain has a sheer face fabric on top of a second, heavier face fabric, allowing the second fabric to show through the sheer fabric.
P
Parisian Pleat Curtain: A Parisian pleat curtain features pleats constructed of 3 smaller, equal pleats sewn together at the top, creating a formal look.
Passementerie: Passementerie refers to the vast range of trimmings and decorative edgings.
Pattern Repeat: A pattern repeat is the distance between any given point in a design to where that exact point is repeated again.
Percale: Percale is a fine, plain-woven cloth of closely set, combed and carded long-staple cotton. Percale produces very high-grade and fine-quality linen. (Ex. Chiaro Classic Heather)
Piece-Dyeing: Piece-dyeing is a process of dyeing fabric in the piece or bolt, after it has been woven or knitted.
Pile: Pile is raised loops, cut interlacings of double cloths or tufts (cut loops), and other erect yarns or fibers deliberately produced on cloth which form all or part of the surface of a fabric.
Pill: A pill is a fuzzy ball caused by the rolling up of abraded surface fibers. When tangled together, pills look like tiny balls and detract from the appearance of a fabric.
Pinch Pleats: Pinch pleats are pleats in which the basic pleat is divided into two or three smaller, equal pleats sewn (pinched) together at the bottom edge of the fabric.
Piping (Trim): Piping refers to decorative cords used at edges of an item. Piping is usually fabric-covered and is attached to an item by inserting it through a seam.
Pique: Pique is a fabric with an embossed appearance created by weaving ribbed, waffle, or honeycomb patterns. (Ex. Matera Ivory)
Pleat: A pleat is a fold sewn in place to create fullness in fabric.
Polyester: Polyester is a generic term for a manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long-chain synthetic polymer composed of a complex ester.
Polypropylene: Polypropylene is a manufactured fiber characterized by its light weight, strength, and resistance to abrasion.
Portiere: Portiere refers to a doorway treatment, typically a hung curtain.
Projection (Drapery): Projection refers to the part of a curtain rod that returns to the wall from the front of the rod.
Q
Quilting: A quilted fabric features a construction in which a layer of down or fiberfill is placed between two layers of fabric, and held in place by stitching or sealing in a regular, consistent, all-over pattern. (Ex. Burton Ocean)
R
Raffia: Raffia is a leaf stalk fiber obtained from the raffia palm in Raffia, Madagascar. (Ex. Gulf Indigo Border)
Railroaded (RR): Railroaded refers to a fabric with a pattern or grain that runs across the roll horizontally, from selvage to selvage.
Ramie: Ramie is a bast fiber, similar to flax, harvested from the stalk of a plant grown in China.
Rayon: Rayon is a generic term for a manufactured fiber derived from regenerated cellulose.
Repeat: Repeat is a term used to describe how often a pattern repeats on a fabric.
Return (Drapery): A return is the distance from the face of a curtain rod to the wall of casing where the bracket is attached.
Rickrack: Rickrack (also spelled "ric rac") is a trim, crafted in a zig-zag formation. (Ex. Ric Rac Epic Splash)
Rod Pocket: A rod pocket is a hollow sleeve in the top and sometimes bottom of a curtain through which a rod is inserted.
Roman Shade: A Roman shade is a corded shade with rods set horizontally in back to give the shade a number of neat, side-set pleats or folds when raised.
Ruching: Ruching refers to the process by which a fabric is gathered to achieve an elegant effect. Ruching is mostly used in welts or on the face of decorative pillows.
Ruffle: A ruffle is gathered fabric often used in bed skirts and in place of a plain flange on pillows. The fullness of a ruffle is determined by the quantity of fabric used.
S
Sateen: Sateen is a fabric made from yarns such as cotton or other staple length fibers. The fabric has a soft, smooth hand and a subtle luster. (Ex. Nuvola Classic Sable)
Satin: Satin is a fabric with a characteristically smooth surface and high luster due to the high number of floats on the fabric. Constructed of mercerized cotton, satin is even stronger than plain cotton and has a greater affinity to dyes. Weft or filler satins are usually referred to as sateen. (Ex. Mayflower Patriot)
Seam Allowance: Seam allowance is a slim extra allowance in the fabric between the line for stitching and the raw edge of the fabric.
Seersucker: Seersucker is a woven fabric that incorporates modification of tension control. In the production of seersucker, some of the warp yarns are held under controlled tension during weaving, while other warp yarns are in a relaxed state and tend to pucker when the filling yarns are placed. The result produces a puckered stripe effect in the fabric. (Ex. Bitsy Blue)
Selvage: Selvage refers to the thin, compressed edges of a woven fabric. The selvages run parallel to the warp yarns and prevent unraveling.
Sheer: Sheer refers to very thin, transparent, or semi-opaque fabric. Drapery panels made from these fabrics may also be referred to as "sheers". (Ex. Ambiance Creme)
Shirring: Shirring refers to a gathered effect in a fabric created when a curtain rod smaller than the fabric is slid through a rod pocket.
Shrinkage: Shrinkage is the contraction of a fiber, yarn, or fabric after washing and drying. Most products made of natural fibers have a tendency to shrink 4-6%.
Silk: Silk is a natural protein fiber produced from the cocoon of wild or cultivated silkworms. (Ex. Serico Gold Silk)
Skirt Drop: Skirt drop is the length of a bed skirt, measured from the bed's box spring to the floor. The skirt drop is also referred to as the drop.
Smocked Pencil Pleat Curtain: Smocked pencil pleat curtains feature pleats formed by sewing a special drapery tape to the back of a panel and drawing the fabric together with strings to create a column of tightly packed folds.
Stackback or Stacking: Stackback is the area required for curtains when they are completely open. It is also referred to as stacking.
Super King: Super King is a term used for the Eastern Accents extra large king size bed cover. The Super King size is recommended to accommodate a king bed with a pillowtop mattress.
Super Queen: Super Queen is a term used for the Eastern Accents extra large queen bed cover. The Super Queen size is recommended to accommodate a queen bed with a pillowtop mattress.
Swag (Drapery): A swag is a section of fabric draped above a window.
T
Tab Top Curtain: Tab top curtains are flat panel curtains that feature a number of narrow strips of fabric attached to the top of the panel, to allow it to be hung from drapery poles. The narrow strips of fabric may either be loops through which a drapery pole may be threaded, or long ties that may be tied in knots to secure the panel to a drapery pole.
Tartan: Tartan refers to multicolored plaids originally made for kilts worn by Scottish clans. (Ex. Rudy Cocoa)
Tassel: A tassel is a hanging ornament consisting of a head and skirt of cut yarn, looped yarn, or bullion fringe. Tassels come in all sizes and shapes. (Ex. Tassel Ocean)
Tassel Trim: A tassel trim is a plain or decorative gimp with attached tassels. (Ex. Tassel Trim Tresco)
Thread Count: Thread count is the number of yarns per square inch in a woven fabric.
Tiebacks: Tiebacks are decorative pieces of hardware, fabric, or tassels designed to hold curtains back from windows to allow light passage, or to add a decorative touch to the window treatment. Tiebacks are also referred to as holdbacks. (Ex. Quincy Pearl Rope Tieback)
Toile: Toile is a linen or cotton cloth, usually made in one color with a printed design that resembles a pen and ink technique. Made famous in Jouy, France in the 18th century when a new technique of engraved plate printing was popularized, toile was known as toile de Jouy. Toiles are printed by various methods, but the most beautiful are still created by engraved plates or rollers. In French, "toile" means "cloth". (Ex. Imperial Summer)
Tweed: Tweed is a fabric with a homespun effect created by multi- or monochromatic-colored yarns woven on plain looms. Usually made of wool or worsted, tweed often has a rough texture. (Ex. Kindling Currant)
U
Under-Draperies: Under-draperies are lightweight curtains, usually sheers, closest to the window glass. These curtains are often hung beneath heavier over-draperies.
Up the Roll (UTR): Up the roll refers to a fabric with a pattern or grain that runs up the roll vertically, parallel to the selvages.
V
Valance: A valance is a horizontal decorative fabric treatment used at the top of curtains.
Velvet: Velvet is a soft fabric that is either handwoven or machine-made. The machine-made velvet is a double-faced fabric that weaves two fabrics, face to face, joined by the weft yarns. These yarns are then cut automatically, which forms the pile on both faces. (Ex. Uma Orange)
W
Waffle Weave: Waffle weave is a pique weave in a hexagonal shape. It is also known as honeycomb.
Water Repellant: Water repellant refers to fabrics that have been treated with a finish which causes them to shed water and resist water penetration, but are still air-permeable. Treatments can include wax coatings, resins, silicones, and fluorine derivatives. Such treatments do not close the pores of the fabric, while waterproof finishes do.
Waterproof: Waterproof refers to fabrics with pores that have been sealed closed, and therefore, will not allow water or air to pass through them.
Weights (Drapery): Weights are made of lead or chain and are used to steady the bottom of curtain panels and improve drapability. Lead weights are sewn in at the vertical seams and at each corner of a drapery panel. Chain weights are small beads strung in a line along the bottom hemline of sheer curtains to ensure an even hemline and straight hanging.
Welt: A welt is piping covered with fabric and sewn into the seam of a product. Eastern Accents offers four sizes of welts: mini (1/8 inch) small (1/4 inch), medium (1/2 inch), and large (1 inch). Please note that the finished welt size depends on the fabric used.
Wool: Wool is a fabric made from the hair of animals such as sheep, llamas, goats, and camels. It is a resilient fabric resistant to wrinkling, renewed by moisture, and known for its warmth. Varieties of wool include Alpaca, Angora, Botany, Cashmere, Merino, and Shetland. (Ex. Vincent Heather)
Y
Yard: A yard is a 36-inch American measurement. The American yard is 1/100,000th of an inch longer than the English yard.
Yarn-Dyeing: Yarn-dyeing refers to fabric made from yarn dyed before weaving.