Ramin wood

A popular type of wood used to make wooden blinds.

Ramm, Son & Crocker

Fabric vendor with European flair. A division of Robert Allen fabrics. (55 Cabot Blvd., Mansfield, MA 02048)

raw edge

The cut edge of fabric, without selvage or hem.

recess

The window niche in which a window is fitted.

recessed fitting

Curtain or blind fixed within the recess of a window.

reefed curtains

See Italian stringing.

reefing

A pair of stationary curtains in which the leading edges are pulled back like theater curtains, by means of diagonally strung cords.

rep

A ribbed cloth of lightly woven cotton.

repeat

The vertical distance between each repeated motif of the pattern of a fabric.

return

The part of a curtain, drapery, cornice, or valance that goes around the side. To hang flush with the wall at right angles, it is usually equivalent to the distance between the front surface and the wall.

reveal

Side wall of window niche.

Riviera Blind

1" aluminum blind made by Levolor

Riviera Contract

1" blind 6 gauge contract aluminum miniblind made by Levolor

Robert Allen

Fabric vendor with huge assortment. Broad price range. (55 Cabot Blvd., Mansfield, MA 02048)

Rocaille

Ornamental style of 18th century with stylized pebbles, shell shapes and scrolls typical of Rococo decoration.

rod

A rail or track from which a curtain, drapery, or sometimes a valance is hung. A traverse rod is operated with a cord and pulley system, and curtains on a flat curtain rod are opened and closed by hand.

rod-pocket curtain

A curtain where the top forms a pocket which is gathered onto a rod or pole.

roller shade

A shade of stiffened fabric, usually operated by a spring mechanism, that rolls up above the window.

Roller shade

A pull down flat fabric shade.

Roman shade

A flat shade with dowels slotted horizontally up the back, so it can easily be pulled up into soft horizontal folds.

rosettes

A device for focusing attention on a particular area with a curtain arrangement. An attractive ìfinishing-offî motif for curtain headings, swags and tails, and tie-backs. Can be knife- pleated, choux or bow style.

Sanderson Fabrics

English fabric vendor. Very traditional, exclusive, and fairly high priced. (3 Patriot Centre, 285 Grand Ave., Bldg. 3, Englewood, NJ 07631)

sash curtain

Rod-pocket curtain with a second pocket gathered onto a rod, at the base of the curtain. They are usually sheer.

sash window

Window which slides open vertically. Also known as double- hung window.

sashes

Fabric stretched over wooden frame and placed over lower half of window in 17th century to keep out sunlight and give privacy.

sateen

A strong cotton or cotton-blend fabric, often striped or in a bright solid color, with a smooth, almost shiny, finish and a close weave.

satin

Can be made of silk, cotton, or synthetic fibers. The surface is smooth and shiny and the reverse side matt. It is not the most practical fabric as it tends to spot easily and is difficult to clean.

Scalamandr

Exclusive high-end fabric vendor. Very expensive. (37-24 24th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101)

scalloped heading

A heading with deep, rounded cut-outs, which slots onto a rod or pole.

scallops

A series of deep round curves used as a decorative edging.

scarf drapery

Uncut fabric draped to form an ornamental drapery.

Schmalzried

Vendor specializing in trimming such as braid, gimp, tassels and more. (1501 Drigon Street, Dallas, TX 75207)

Schumacher

Fabric vendor which emulates European traditional lines. Large assortment, fairly high priced. Parent company of Waverly. (79 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016)

seam allowance

The narrow strip of raw-edged fabric left on each side of a stitched seam.

Section 12492

The section number from the Sweets catalog which deals in window coverings.

selvage

The defined warp edge of the fabric, specially woven to prevent unraveling.

shade

A fabric window covering that can be pulled up on a roller or pleated up vertically. See balloon, roller, and Roman shades.

Shade-o-matic

Canadian fabricator of vinyl shutters, plus blinds and shades. (335 Eddystone Ave., North York, Ontario M3N-1H8, Canada)

Shangri-La

A blind and shade combined in one product. Made of polyester, it adjusts like a blind and raises like a shade. Made by Comfortex.

Shantung

Unevenly textured raw silk, once hand-woven in Chinaís Shantung province.

sheers

Fine, translucent fabrics such as organdy and voile that filter daylight while preserving privacy.

Silhouette

A blind and shade combined in one product. Made of polyester, it adjusts like a blind and raises like a shade. Made by Hunter Douglas.

silk

A natural fabric from silk worms. It dyes well and has a vibrant color range. It fades easily in sunlight, however, and is best used on beds away from the light, or lined and interlined and protected by a blind if used as window curtains. It can be used for light, elegant upholstery. Until the early 16th century silks had large patterns and were made for specific purposes such as upholstery and wall coverings. The Jacquard loom produced figured silks, and the Industrial Revolution made mass production of silks possible by the mid 19th century. So far, no artificial fiber can match silkís lustrous surface, its draping quality, or its subtle response to light. Not all silk is expensive: simple, plain-colored silks can come within even modest budgets. Take special care with the maintenance of silk curtains or shades; they should always be dry cleaned. Bear in mind that silk will show water marks.

silk noil

The waste product of spun silk is mixed with cotton or wool giving a shimmer to the fabric in the form of tiny balls on the surface.

skylight

A window in a roof or ceiling.

Skyrise

A skylight honeycomb shade made by Hunter Douglas.

slat

A long, flat piece of wood used at the base of either a roller or Roman shade.

Slat

The part of a horizontal blind which tilts open and closed.

slip-cover

Protective covering made in inexpensive fabric to protect expensive upholstery such as silk.

slot headings

See cased heading.

SM Automatic

High quality fabricator of motorized components for draperies, blinds, and shades. (10301 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232)

smocked heading

A handmade heading imitating smocking, in which the pleats are alternately linked to form a honeycomb pattern.

smocking tape

A decorator tape in which two or more cords are pulled to create an effect very similar to gathering.

Springs Industries

Blind and shade fabricator. Parent company of Graber, Nanik, and Bali brands. (P.O. Box 70, Ft. Mill, SC 29716)

stackback

The space taken up by pleated curtains or draperies when open; it is also the area on either side of a window, where curtains or draperies are stacked back.

stationary curtains/draperies

Curtains/draperies in which the heading does not move; they may be held open by tiebacks, holdbacks, or reefing, or they may be sheer curtains that are permanently closed, such as a sash curtain.

stiffener

Interfacing such as crinoline or buckram used to stiffen handmade curtain, shade, or valance headings, tiebacks, or cornices.

store Marquise

18th century French blind in lightweight material tightly gathered -- now a general term for a shirred window panel.

strapwork

An ornamentation of crossed, interlaced and scrolled straps resembling leather often used to decorate walls in the 17th century.

Sunburst

Fabric radiating from the center of a semi-circular window.

swag

A sweeping drape at the top of a window, appearing to hang from points at either side. The term is often used to include the cascades that hang at the sides. Also known as a festoon.

swags and tails

A decorative pleated arrangement of fabric hung at the top of curtains to hide the track. Swags are draped horizontally while tails hang on either side of the curtain.

Sweets

The company which assembles the specifications of building supplies made by major manufacturers. Very helpful for architects and contractors. Web site at http://www.sweets.com

Symphony shade

Honeycomb shade made by Comfortex.

synthetic interlining

Usually composed of 85% viscose and 15% polyester, synthetic interlinings are cheaper than the cotton equivalents but lack some of their qualities. They do not have the same softness or body and so will not drape as well. While cotton interlinings will adhere to the curtain fabric, synthetic versions will tend to repel other fabrics and thereby lose fullness. Light penetrates a synthetic interlining more than a cotton one. However, they do not have the weaving faults of cotton interlinings, nor is there the danger of shrinkage. They are clean and easy to handle.

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