The options for drapery and curtains are numerous.  Knowing the popular terminology will help you with your quest for the perfect window treatment.  This list does not contain all of the words relevant to drapery and curtains but I have tried to include all of the popular definitions.

Austrian Shade - an opulent shade that has permanently shirred scallops from top to bottom.  Often made of sheer or lace.

Balloon Shade - a fabric shade that forms soft billowy scallops when pulled up.

Bay Window -  three or more windows that project outward in a at deep angles.  Usually, when considering drapery and curtains for a bay all the windows are treated as one or have identical window treatments.

Banding - strips of fabric sewn to the edge of drapery and curtains.  Banding is made with a fabric complementary  to the fabric of the main portion of the window treatment.

Blackout Drapery or Shade - drapery or shade made with room darkening fabric.  The lining of a window treatment is usually made of the blackout material.

Bow Window - a curved bay window.

Box Pleat - a tailored fabric fold - the folds are turned toward each other forming a flat fronted pleat.

Brackets - drapery and curtain hardware that secures a pole or board to the window or wall.

Brocade - heavy, luxurious fabric with a raised pattern.

Buckram - fabric stiffened with glue - used to make pleats in the headings of drapery and curtains.

Cafe Curtain - an informal curtain that only covers the bottom half of a window.

Cantonniere - a hard cornice that extends to the floor.

Cape Cod Curtain - a cafe curtain with a ruffle around each edge. 

Cartridge Pleat - a round tubular pleat.

Casement Window - a window with a vertical hinge that swings out.

Chenille - chenille fabric is woven with fuzzy yarns.  It is soft to the touch like velour .  Chenille can be plain or patterned.

Chintz - a cotton fabric - often floral - that is coated with resin to give it a shine. 

C.O.M -  refers to the use of a customers own material in the fabrication of custom drapery and curtains.

Cornice - structured out of wood a cornice projects out from the wall and conceals the drapery and curtains hardware.  A cornice will be painted or covered with fabric.

Curtains - window treatments that can be sheered or gathered on a rod.  Tab tops are also popular for curtains. 

Cut Length - the length of fabric needed to construct a window treatment.  The cut length includes the length of the window treatment as well as the extra amount needed for headers and hems.

Cuts - the number of widths of fabric needed to construct a window treatment.

Damask - A woven fabric with the design slightly raised.  Designs are often copies of Italian Renaissance floral designs.

Drapability - the ability of a certain fabric to hang in pleasing folds.

Drapery (draperies) - long pleated panels that open and close.

Dye Lots - a batch of fabric printed at the same time.  Each time a new printing is done the fabric is classified with a new die lot.  Fabrics form different die lots can vary in color.  If color matching is important for your project always get a cutting of the die lot you will order from.

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