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a la Duchesse
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A type of bed with a canopy suspended from the ceiling rather
than supported by posts (also known as an angel bed).
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acetate
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Many convincing artificial silks are made from acetate. It has
almost the same finish and draping qualities as silk but is less
prone to fade or rot.
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acrylic
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Soft, lightweight, man-made fiber, which is warm, strong and
crease-resistant.
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ADO
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Fabric vendor specializing in lace and sheers. (851 Simuel Rd.,
Spartanburg, SC 29301)
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aluminum-coated lining
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Without adding much extra bulk, this type of lining will help to
exclude light, cold, or heat. It can be used with curtains or, when
bulk is particularly unwelcome, to line shades. The aluminum-
coated surface faces inside the curtain or shade, while the visible
side shows cream-colored woven cotton.
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appliquÈ
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A form of decoration produced by superimposing one material
on another. It may consist of figured patterns cut out and
applied, or embroidered bands of patterns.
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arabesque
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Decoration characterized by symmetrical intertwining branches,
leaves and other plant forms together with abstract curvilinear
shapes.
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architrave
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A wooden surround to a door or window frame; also the
molding around an arch.
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Atlantis miniblinds
- 1" commercial aluminum blind made by Hunter Douglas.
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Austrian shade
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A soft fabric shade that pulls up on vertical cords into swags and
appears gently ruched at the base when let down.
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awl
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A pointed tool that makes holes in wood surfaces.
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baize
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Dyed green or red, baize is a flannel-like cloth used for card
tables and the linings of silverware drawers. Its color and texture
make it handy for improvised curtains or shades. Baize will fade
in strong sunlight.
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Baker, Knapp & Tubb
Furniture
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High quality traditional furniture manufacturer. (1661 Monroe
Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505)
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Bali Blinds
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Blind fabricator. Products include CustoMiser miniblinds,
Heritage miniblinds, Classics miniblinds, Neat Pleat Ultra, and
others. A division of Springs Industries.
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balloon shade
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A shade that has fullness in the width, sometimes formed into
inverted pleats, and is raised and lowered by cords threaded
through rings at the back.
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Bamboo shades
- A roman styled shade made of reeds. Made by many
manufacturers including Levolor and DelMar.
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basic fibers
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The vast majority of furnishing fabrics are made of cotton or
cotton mixtures. Its principal charm is its versatility. Cotton can
be dyed, printed, or finished in a multitude of ways. It can be
made colorfast, will withstand heat and light, and yet is
inexpensive. Drawbacks, shared with all natural fabrics, are that
it tends to crush and can react to humidity by mildewing.
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Basswood
- A popular type of wood with a smooth finish, used to make wooden
blinds.
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batik
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In this dyeing process developed in Java, wax and other
substances that resist dye are applied, then washed out to leave
dramatic patterns.
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batten
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A thin piece of timber that slots into the base hem of a roller
shade or Roman shade so that the fabric hangs straight and rigid.
Also timber struts nailed vertically to the wall for fabric walling.
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batting
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A fluffy man-made fiber sometimes used to pad edges.
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bay window
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A window consisting of three adjacent windows projecting from
the building and forming an alcove inside.
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Beacon Hill
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Fabric vendor with a European flair. (1 Design Centre Place,
Suite 200, Boston, MA 02210)
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BeyondWoods
- Faux wood blinds made of synthetic material, made by Hunter
Douglas.
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bias binding
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A strip of cloth cut on the bias, at 45? to the selvage, which
gives stretch to the fabric. Used as an edging or to cover piping
cord.
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blackout lining
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A layer of opaque material is sandwiched between two layers of
cotton fabric. In this way all light is excluded. Some are heavy
and difficult to penetrate with a needle, while others are softer.
Both will add to the weight but will also improve the draping
qualities. Usually in cream or white.
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block fringe
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A fringe trimming colored with equal blocks of contrasting
color.
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Bottom rail
- The bottom of a shade or blind.
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bow window
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A rounded bay window.
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box pleat
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A flat symmetrical pleat formed by folding the fabric to the back
at each side of the pleat.
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brackets
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Supports for either a rod, pole, shade, or valance shelf.
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braid
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A woven ribbon used as edging or trimming.
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brocade
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Originally of silk but can be made in cotton, linen, wool or man-
made fiber. It is usually woven in one or two colors, with the
additional colors applied to the woven surface, which is what
distinguishes it from damask. Heavier than damask, it is often
woven in silver or gold thread. It is used for curtains and special
upholstery. Traditionally patterned with both floral and
naturalistic motifs, the raised design is woven on a Jacquard
loom and has long horizontal threads along the back.
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brocatelle
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A type of silk strengthened with linen. It seldom uses more than
two colors. It has a satin or twill figure on a plain or satin ground
and is distinguished from damask by raised areas of pattern that
are formed by a double warp. It does not drape well and in the
17th century was used mainly for wall hangings.
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Brunschwig & Fils
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High-end fabric vendor. Very traditional and exclusive. (75
Virginia Road, North White Plains, NY 10603)
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buckram
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An interfacing used as a stiffener inside handmade curtains,
drapery, and valance headings, as well as tiebacks and cornices.
Made from cotton or jute, it is available in different weights, in
fusible and sew-in versions; it is normally 4in (10cm) wide.
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buckram, fusible
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This is a strip of white cotton impregnated with glue. It is used
inside hand-pleated headings, giving the requisite stiffness
without the visible machine stitching of a sewn-on decorator
tape. This buckram is fused to the fabric with a hot iron.
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buckram, fusible
heavyweight
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An open-weave fabric, made from jute, then impregnated with
glue, this type of buckram is used as the base of a cornice. It is
very stiff and is best cut with a heavy-duty craft knife. A hot
iron will release the glue to fuse it in place. It is turned on its
side along the cornice.
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buckram, non-fusible
heavyweight
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Made from jute, this material is not impregnated with glue but is
double starched and two-ply. It is sewn into the cornice. Use a
heavy-duty craft knife because non-fusible buckram is not easy
to cut. It has the same uses as the fusible version but is more
easily cleaned.
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bullion fringe
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A fringe trimming formed of twisted loops of rope, made in
wool or silk and available in a variety of lengths and
thicknesses.
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bump
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A cotton-waste interlining used to add body and insulation.
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bump interlining
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This heavy, blanketlike cotton interlining imported from
England is available bleached or unbleached. Table felt or
reinforced felt is similar but is somewhat stiffer. Cotton flannel
can also be used instead of bump. All interlinings are sewn into
a curtain between the fabric and lining; lockstitch links the
interlining to the curtains. These heavy interlinings can also be
used for cornices but are too heavy for swags. They are often too
heavy to use with silk or other light fabrics.
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burlap
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A strong, coarse fabric made from jute or hemp fibers.
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