Glossary

A

B

Blackout lining

Blackout lining is the fabric at the back of your curtains or blinds, which blocks sunlight to keep your room dark. It also has a thermal quality retaining heat in the room.

Bottom border

A decorative border along the bottom section of your curtains, usually in a different fabric to that of the main fabric of your curtain. You can choose whether to have a decorative border on the bottom or top of your curtain.

C

Cleat

Small wall fixture usually made of plastic, which is used to wrap blind cords around when a blind is open. These should be used to ensure child safety.

Cotton

A type of fabric made from natural sources. Cotton is used in the production of many popular fabrics and is soft, stretchy and strong in texture. It is a natural product used in weaving and the tradition of weaving cotton is centuries old.

Curtain poles

A common way to hang curtains, using rings, eyelets or fabric tabs. Wood is a traditional option, and metal poles are also popular for contemporary applications. Decorative finials, colours and materials allow for a range of aesthetic expression.

Curtain stack

Where your curtains sit and are drawn from. A pair of curtains will sit either side of a window and draw to the middle, whereas a single large curtain will sit to one side and be fully drawn to cover the window.

Curtain tracks

Systems that allow curtains to be drawn along a metal track, creating a gliding effect. Tracks can be a more subtle choice, with the option to hide installation with a curtain header.

D

Drop

The vertical (length) measurement of your curtains, measured from the curtain track to hem.

E

Eyelet

Eyelets are used as a curtain heading style, which uses small metal rings punched into the top of the curtain. The eyelets are then used to hang the curtain from a curtain pole.

Eyelet and tab top poles

Curtain poles supplied with no rings, for use with tab top and eyelet curtains. The diameter of eyelets used on curtains is usually 40mm, so a 28mm pole is ideal.

Extra long poles

Curtain poles can be supplied in longer lengths for large windows and patio doors.

F

Finials

Decorative features attached to the end of curtain poles. Finials come in all sorts of forms, from simple balls to more complex patterns.

Fixing height

The measurement from the top of the blind to the floor. When ordering blinds, it’s important to provide this information to ensure your blinds comply with child health and safety legislation.

G

Goblet pleat

Goblet pleats are curtain heading style which give the look of a goblet by forming the heading into a cup shape and padding out with wadding. A very formal and traditional heading style.

H

Hem

The edges of a curtain or blind, which have been turned and stitched. We double fold to reinforce the edges of a curtain and allow for any future small adjustments.

I

Interlining

An additional layer of fabric between the decorative front fabric and lining at the back, which provides insulation and helps your curtains to hang better due to the weight. Interlining gives a rich fullness to the handle and appearance of curtains and roman blinds.

J

K

L

Leading edge

The side of a curtain that draws it closed, this edge of the curtain has been reinforced by folding over material and stitching it.

Linen

A type of fabric made from natural fibres that are strong and long-lasting.

Linen embroidery

Linen embroidered stitching to create a decorative pattern.

Lining

The fabric stitched to the back of your curtains or blinds, which ensures that the fabric drapes correctly. Blackout lining and sateen linings are available in an ivory colour.

M

Made-to-measure

Curtains or blinds that are made bespoke to your specific requirements. Referred to as bespoke curtains, handmade curtains, custom curtains, and made to order curtains. In choosing made to measure the customer is given a wider variety of fabrics to choose from and the curtains themselves will fit perfectly. The quality is also superior to those found on the High Street.

Made to measure poles

We can create bespoke curtain poles in our Yorkshire workshop to suit your exact length, colour or shape requirements.

N

O

Operation

Where the chain is positioned to open and close your blind – either the left or the right.

Overhang

The length at which your curtains hang below the bottom of your windowsill.

P

Pattern repeat

The centimetres between the start of the pattern and where it starts again.

Pencil pleat

A traditional heading style for curtains, pencil pleats resemble a row of pencils by tightly gathering the fabric at the very top of the curtain.

Pinch pleat

A decorative curtain heading style which stitches the curtain fabric together into narrow pleats at the very top of the curtain. Usually double pinch (2 pleats) or triple pinch (3 pleats).

Polyester

A term used to refer to material made using polyester fibre, polyester is a durable man-made fabric that retains its shape well.

Q

R

Recess window poles

Curtain poles suitable for fitting in a recess, for example between two walls, or for a dormer window. Choose the correct width and add matching recess brackets to complete the look.

Roller blinds

A style of window covering. Roller blinds are made of a single piece of fabric, which is opened and closed using a pull cord.

Roman blinds

A type of window covering, designed to stack with a waterfall effect when open and sit smooth when dropped.

S

Sateen lining

Our sateen lining is a cotton and polyester fabric. This lining gives an improved quality finish and reduces light seeping through the fabric, an ideal accompaniment for your face fabric.

SKU

A unique product code referring to a specific product, used to keep track of stock.

Suede

A type of leather with a napped finish.

T

Top border

A decorative border along the top section of your curtains, usually in a different fabric to that of the main fabric of your curtain. You can choose whether to have a decorative border on the top or bottom of your curtain.

U

Upstand

The amount of fabric above the hook or eyelet position on curtains.

V

Velvet

A luxurious and soft tufted fabric made from either natural or man-made fibres.

Viscose

Durable and soft, Viscose is semi-synthetic textile.

Voiles

Voiles are a soft sheer fabric used for windows dressings, due to the lightweight nature of the fabric it provides privacy and filter sunlight during the daytime.

W

Wool

Wool is a natural material made from the fur of sheep and other animals. It is naturally insulating and soft to the touch.

X

Y

Z