cafe curtain

Curtains hung to cover the bottom part of a window. Usually kept closed, they originated in Vienna in the 19th century.

cafe rod

A slim rod, normally of brass, used for cased or scallop-headed curtains.

calico

A cheap cotton of medium weight. It can also be printed, and fabric paints and stencils work well on it. It does shrink easily and looks best on tightly fitted upholstery.

canopy bed

Bed with canopy suspended over the head by cords attached to the ceiling (see ⋅ la Duchesse.)

canvas

A plain basket-weave material of coarse jute threads. It is made in various weights and is the basic material from which buckram is made.

Carlton V

Fabric vendor. (33-01 38th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101)

Carriers

The small mechanisms which attach the vanes to the headrail track of a vertical blind.

cascade

Pleated fabric that hangs at either side of a swag.

cased heading

A simple curtain heading in which a sleeve of material is left open at the top of the curtain to receive a curtain rod or pole.

cased headings (or slot heading)

A curtain heading consisting of a simple hemmed top through which a rod or narrow pole may be slotted.

casement windows

A window with one or more sashes that are hinged on a vertical edge. Opens from the side.

Celebrity miniblind

6 gauge aluminum miniblind, made by Hunter Douglas.

cheesecloth

A cheap, loose-woven cotton used for translucent curtains. In cities it will quickly lose its original whiteness and body and, although easily washed, muslin will shrink. This fabric also wrinkles badly.

chintz

Plain chintzes are used for contrasting welting, or even as the main fabric. Floral chintzes were originally block-printed, and then glazed with waxes and starch. Gradually the designs developed into the lush floral patterns so closely identified with English country-house style. Chintzes are made from cotton and usually finished with a shiny glaze that is easily lost by crushing or cleaning. It is not especially hard-wearing, and glazed chintzes in particular do not drape very well. It is best suited to curtains or small items of upholstery but can be strengthened with a lining backing. It suffers some shrinkage if washed. Antique chintz can be used in panels and as borders.

chou

Ornamental curtain detail consisting of a circular gathered piece of fabric designed to give the illusion of a curtain having been caught up. The name is derived from the French word for ìcabbage.î

Cirrus shade

Honeycomb shade by Levolor.

Classic miniblinds

Contract aluminum miniblind made by Bali.

cloakpin

A brass disc, often ornamented with ormolu, used to hold back curtains either by draping them behind the disc or by winding them around it. It is attached to the wall by a turned stem.

Comfortex

Blind and shade fabricator. Products include Symphony, Softline, Softline DeLux, Solo, Ensemble, Perfect Pitch, Woodwinds, Shangri-La, and others. (21 Elm Street, Maplewood, NY 12189)

Conrad Imports

Fabricator of woven grass and reed shades. Exclusive, unique, and expensive. (575 10th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103)

cording set

Equipment for drawing curtains with a pull cord.

Cord lock

The mechanism of a shade or blind which allows the product to stop at any given point.

corduroy

Hard-wearing cloth usually of cotton but sometimes of synthetic yarns with a cotton backing-cloth. Equally spaced cords run down the length of the fabric and are obtainable in different widths.

cornice

A decorative molding at the top of a wall, just below the ceiling. Also a pelmet-like construction above a curtain arrangement.

cornice

A decorative structure with a flat surface, mounted above a window to hide the curtain rod and the top of the curtain or drapery. Made from painted plywood or from plywood or buckram covered with fabric, it can have either a straight or a shaped edge. Unlike a valance, it is firm.

cornice pole

A curtain pole with rings, used for heavy curtains.

corona

A crown or ring usually of metal, forming the main support of bed drapes, centrally mounted on the wall above the bed.

cotton

Available in a wide range of weights and finishes. The unmixed version creases easily but a cotton/synthetic mixture can be more practical. Furnishing cottons should always be used, as dressmakerís cotton is simply not strong enough.

cotton

A natural fabric, made from fibers in the boll of the cotton plant.

cotton duck

A cream cotton varying in weight from 7 to 15 oz. per sq. yd. (200 to 425 g. per sq. m.). Heavier varieties are hard to penetrate with a needle and so are ideal for no-sew curtains as they need no lining and the edges can be pinked and glued. Widths range from 36 in. (91 cm.) To 134 in. (91 cm.) The edges may need trimming.

cotton lawn

A finely woven cotton, with a very smooth finish.

cotton sateen

The most popular form of curtain lining. It is usually buff- colored but white lining looks better if it is being used with fabric printed on a white ground. Colored linings chosen to contrast or coordinate with the curtaining can also look attractive.

cotton sateen lining

Comes in various qualities and prices but it is usually a tight- weave fabric called cotton sateen. A more expensive lining will retain its body after cleaning and will help the curtains or shades to hang well. Cheap lining can become limp with age and cleaning. Ivory, cream, and white are the usual basic shades, although lining is now available in a wide range of colors and patterns. If the curtain is to be tied back to show the lining, a coordinated color or pattern should be used. Swags, where the lining is visible, should also be lined in a coordinated design. Colored linings are colorfast but will fade in a sunny window. With patterned linings care should be taken to make sure that the design of the lining will not show through to the right side of lightweight curtains.

Country Wood

A Hunter Douglas basswood blind, with 1" and 2" slats.

covered cornice board

A narrow strip of buckram or plywood covered with fabric and tacked to the front edge of a valance shelf to hide a curtain rod or shade mounting board.

craft knife

Tool with a sharp, V-shaped, replaceable blade, useful for cutting heavy buckram or any other very stiff materials.

Crescendo

Roman-styled shade made by Graber.

cretonnes

A boldly printed cotton fabric available with glaze or twill, suitable for curtains and upholstered furniture. It is more hard- wearing than chintz.

crewelwork

Originally hand-embroidered in chain, stem or herringbone stitch onto white cotton or wool in designs such as a tree of life or flowers and leaves and used for early English and American bed hangings. It is now available by the meter and is suitable for window and bed curtains, light upholstery and cushions.

Crystal Pleat

Honeycomb shade made by Graber.

curtain

A window covering to floor- or sill-length, usually with fullness in the width, which is sometimes hung alone or on one side of a window but more often is used in pairs. It hangs from a rod or pole by means of hooks or tabs or is slotted onto a rod. A term often used to mean a drapery.

curtain cornice

Decorative board, often carved, painted or gilded, placed above curtain heading or pelmet.

curtain lining

Thin fabric, usually cotton, used to line curtains.

CustoMiser

5 gauge 1" contract aluminum miniblind made by Bali.

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