Main Pages Products Best Sellers Lipstick Flower Canvas Fabric Ancient Tartan: Mulberry Fabric Flying Ducks: Brown/Grey Fabric Lipstick Flower Stripe Fabric Deckchair Stripe:Red/Blue Fabric Airy Fairy: Pink Fabric Flying Ducks: Sky Fabric Regatta: Cream/Sky Fabric Pompadour: Sky Blue Fabric Deckchair Stripe:Pink/Lilac Fabric Shetland Plaid: Lovat Fabric Cup Cake Canvas: Pink Fabric Flying Ducks: Natural Brown Fabric Airy Fairy: Buttermilk Fabric Lipstick Flower Patchwork Fabric Velvet Stripe Lipstick Fabric Regatta: Navy/Azure Fabric Flying Ducks: Stone/Brown Fabric Crazy Flower Voile Fabric Going Dotty: Pink/Lilac Fabric  Queenshill Fabric Glossary
Batik A process also known as Tjap, where areas are opaque with wax before the fabric is dyed. For two or more colors each preceding wax layer is removed and reapplied in a different patterned layer. A crinkled pattern is achieved by crumpling the fabric and cracking the wax. Primitive or ethnic batik patterns from Indonesia and Africa are reproduced by mechanical silk screen or roller printing on contemporary fabrics.
Brocade A rich fabric with an intricate pattern created within the weave, traditionally embossed in gold or silver. This term is now applied to any flowered fabric with a raised pattern.
Calico A cheap, coarse textured plain weave cotton, similar to muslin other than in its thickness. Available in different weights - can be fire retardant treated for upholstery work.
Crewels - One of the main features of a Crewel fabric is that it is completely hand-made in the traditional method. It is the national craft of Kashmir and the fabric is stitched in individual artisans’ homes, not in factories. It is made by chain stitching wool onto a cotton base cloth. Due to the nature of the manufacture of this cloth, colour variation in both the wool and the base cloth will occur, and you may also find that the pattern-repeat is not exactly the same as that quoted in the pattern book. This beautiful cloth however, has a unique look and is made to the highest standard.
Chintz A printed cotton fabric usually with a glazed finish.
Dacron A synthetic fibre used for filling and padding articles.
Damask Traditionally a silk, cotton or linen fabric with a textured pattern woven into it. Cheaper substitutes are now available made of synthetic fibres.
Hand Made Fabrics - Hand-made fabrics are made one roll at a time, so there will naturally be differences between rolls. By the very nature of the fact that these are hand crafted, you may also find slight variations between rolls of the colours and pattern repeats. This applies to all hand embroidered & hand appliquéd fabrics, as well as patchworks. Some of these fabrics are hand embellished with jewels, pearls, sequins, and metal work. These embellishments can come away from the fabric with normal treatment, as they are hand-stitched articles.
Jacquards are woven on computerised looms and are made to exact design specifications. There can be a slight variance between batches on pattern repeats as the tension on one loom may be marginally different to the tension on another loom. Many Jacquards are woven on double width looms and have a selvage woven into the centre. This can occasionally leave you with a narrow selvage on one side of the roll, which is a normal feature of this type of cloth.
Jacquard velvets are woven pile fabrics made on special velvet looms, and finished thereafter.
Although jacquard velvets are suitable for general domestic upholstery, these have to be
back coated first. In addition to this making the fabric fire retardant, it is the only method of
anchoring the pile permanently. Many companies stock these velvets only in a back
coated version, however, we believe this severely restricts the usage as it takes the
softness from the fabric when used for curtains and drapes.
Lampass cloths are made up of two or three layers of fabric with the designs running through
from the weft (side). These fabrics have a natural puckered appearance, which is created
by the construction, and this is a design feature of all Lampass cloths. They are created to give a contrast between the tightly woven design and the natural floating background.
Moiré A way of folding the excess seam allowance to achieve a less bulky, sharp corner.
Muslin A very fine cotton, very like a modern sheer.
Silk A beautiful fabric made from the fibres produced by the silk worm. Care needs to be taken when using silk as the fibres eventually rot when subjected to direct sunlight. Most Silk is hand-woven, and a major feature of this cloth is the irregularity of the yarn density and colour, which gives the cloth its unique texture and distinctive appearance. All base cloths are dyed to match a master colour, however a slight variation should be expected between dye batches. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the colour is dye-fast, we must point out that all silk is more susceptible to fading, particularly in direct sunlight, than most other fabrics. We always recommend lining & interlining Silk fabrics.
Taffeta A shiny fabric initially made of woven silk but now available in synthetic substitutes.
Tapestry A thick heavy fabric woven from a number of different coloured fibres. Ideal for upholstery and for drapes in period properties. Due to its bulk, care should be taken when estimating.
Ticking A stiffened, striped, woven fabric, traditionally in black and white and used for making mattresses. Modern derivatives are not as stiff and come in a wide range of colours. Currently enjoying a revival in its popularity, it is an ideal fabric for a more informal setting.
Toile de Jouy A printed cotton originally from France, usually bearing pastoral scenes. This fabric is undergoing renewed popularity, with its pastel designs on a white or cream background.
Velvet A good old favourite, velvet is a pile fabric made of cotton or synthetic mixes available in a vast range of colours and different decorative finishes. It will always be at home in a traditional setting.
Voile A very finely woven cloth usually made of cotton or silk
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All you ever wanted to know about the words and phrases used in Interior Design. We have split this into general and fabric specific terms to make your search a little easier.
If you are still not sure, you can always call our Customer Service at Queenshill.com on 01344 875419. We will be more than happy to help.
Interior Design Glossary
Acorn A decorative brass or wooden "handle" which slips onto the cords of a blind to cover the knotted ends.
Appliqué Pieces of fabric or felt applied to a background fabric.
Austrian Blind A gathered blind made longer than necessary. The extra fabric forms ruching at the bottom.
Batten A length of wood to attach a blind, pelmet or valance to a window frame.
Bed Valance A skirt covering the divan part of a bed.
Blackout Lining A thick fabric used to line curtains where light exclusion is required. Available in 2 varieties – 2 pass in which the lining is coated white or ecru on one side only or – 3 pass in which both sides are coated. Because of its rubberized feel, it makes it more difficult to dress the curtains satisfactorily.
Blind A single curtain with a fixed heading which pulls up from the bottom.
Box Pleats A row of folds in alternate directions. The extra fabric in the folds can be taken either to the front or the back for the desired effect.
Braid A decorative trim.
Buckram Cotton or jute fabric for stiffening, sometimes come impregnated with glue.
Bump A soft, thick material used for interlining curtains, pelmets etc.
Bullion A thick twisted fringe used for decoration.
Cafe Curtain A curtain made to fit the bottom half of a window only, to give privacy but to let in light.
Cleat A two pronged hook which is fixed to one side of the window frame to secure the cords when a blind is pulled up.
Colourway A combination of the colours in a piece of fabric.
Contrast Lining A coloured fabric used as a lining when parts of it will show from the front.
Cornice or Coving A decorative moulding positioned at the top of a wall where it meets the ceiling.
Curtains Usually two rectangles of fabric hung from a track or pole to decorate a window and give privacy.
Cut Drop The cut length of a piece of fabric before any hems, headings or turnings have been stitched in place.
Cut Width The width of fabric needed including seams or hems.
Dormer Term applied to a window set within a roof.
Face Fabric The main fabric that is used for the front. Sometimes called decorator or self fabric.
Fascia Board A narrow strip of board covered with fabric that is used to cover a curtain track
Festoon Blind Often confused with Austrian blinds the difference being that a Festoon blind is ruched from top to bottom.
Finial A shaped attachment that slots onto the ends of a curtain pole. It helps secure the rings onto the pole but its primary function is decorative. Vast choice available in terms of shape and colour.
Finished Drop The final length of fabric after the hems, headings or turnings have been stitched in place
Finished Width The actual width after the treatment is finished and all allowances have been utilized.
Frill A longer length of fabric gathered or pleated onto an edge for decoration.
Fullness This is the ratio of fabric width to the width of the window. Curtains are usually at least twice the window width.
Gimp A narrow braid used as a decorative trimming
Goblet pleat A decorative curtain heading in which the fabric is stitched into narrow tubes that are then stuffed with wadding.
Hardware Term used for tracks, poles, curtain holdbacks and valance creators.
Header The extra fabric above a cased heading which forms a frill.
Heading The top edge of a curtain or valance finished either with a tape or a curtain buckram.
Hem The bottom edge of a curtain or valance
Interlining A soft material sewn in between the face fabric of a curtain and its lining. It gives the curtains a very luxurious appearance and provides extra insulation
Italian Stringing Curtains with Italian stringing are joined together permanently in the centre and are as such ‘dress curtains’. The stringing is set on the diagonal near the top of each curtain thus pulling the curtains back at this point.
Lambrequin A pelmet which extends down the side of the window.
Leading Edges The central vertical edges of a pair of curtains.
Lining A closely woven cotton fabric with a shiny surface used for lining curtains etc.
London Blind A cross between a Roman blind, because of its plain heading, and an Austrian blind for the bottom ruching. The ruching comes from inverted pleats.
Mitre A way of folding the excess seam allowance to achieve a less bulky, sharp corner.
Nap A one way direction of texture on a fabric such as velvet or corduroy. When using fabric with a nap all pieces must be cut with the nap in the same direction.
Outside edge The edge of the curtain that faces the outside edge of the window.
Overlap Arm An extension on a corded track allowing curtains to cross over by a small amount when closed.
Overlong Curtains made specifically too long in order that they drape onto the floor.
Pattern Repeat The length of the pattern on a piece of fabric before it repeats itself. When joining lengths of fabric with a pattern, regard must always be paid to the pattern repeat
Pelmet A decorative way of concealing the top of curtains and curtain tracks. Usually a flat shaped panel which can be painted or covered with fabric.
Pelmet Board A horizontal wooden shelf from which a pelmet or valance is hung.
Pencil Pleat The most commonly used taped curtain heading. When pulled up, the fabric forms a row of parallel vertical pleats
Piping Cord A fabric covered cord inserted to accentuate or decorate a seam.
Return The sides of the window treatment that project from the wall.
Roller Blind A flat blind made from pre-stiffened fabric which is rolled up around a pole at the top of the window. The roller mechanism is normally bought in kit form.
Roman Blind A flat blind which is pulled up into soft horizontal folds using cords attached to the back of the blind.
Sateen Lining 100% cotton sateen lining used for lining curtains, valances, pelmets, blinds, etc.
Seam A way of stitching two pieces of fabric together.
Seam Allowance The amount of extra fabric added to make a seam.
Selvedge The woven outside edge of the fabric which may contain the name of the fabric and information about the colour combinations.
Slot Heading A curtain heading with a simple hemmed top into which is inserted a rod, pole or wire. The curtain is then bunched together to form gathers
Smocked Heading A decorative curtain heading in which a series of pencil pleats are stitched together at regular intervals to form a honeycomb design
Squab A loose cushion with ties attached to the back edge for anchoring to a stool or chair seat
Swags & Tails Often considered to be the height of opulence. An ornate window dressing consisting of pleated overlapping drapes of fabric across the top of the window finished at each side with pleated tails. These tails are usually lined in a contrasting fabric so that when pleated both colours show.
Tie Backs Stiffened shapes of fabric hooked onto the wall to hold curtains back.
Track The metal or plastic rail and rings from which the curtains are hung.
Velcro A touch and close fastening.
Warp The threads that run down the length of a woven fabric.
Weft The threads that run across a woven fabric.
Welt A strip of fabric sewn between the two sides of a cushion to give it more depth.
Window Recess The space taken by the window and framed by the wall on all sides.
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