Home Repair and Paint Guide

Whether you are buying a new home or remodeling your existing one, a new set of curtains can make your rooms come alive. There is a huge selection of types, styles, fabrics, and colors available. And if you are good at color selection and window measuring, you can save a lot of money by shopping online.

There are a lot of Internet merchants that will gladly handle your order. Just be sure to look closely at color charts and options. Be very careful with measurements and ask about the return policy. Read the directions on taking accurate measurements and don’t be shy about calling and asking questions.

Decorative Curtain Styles

Jabots
A tapered portion of fabric that is either self or contrast lined. The lining folds back when pleated. It is used as a frame on each side of a row of swags. Jabots should be one half or two thirds the full length of the window.

Swags
These are fabric that forms a decorative element over a window, hanging from two fixed points either side of the top of the window and draping down through the center.

Tails
The fabric that hangs down from the end of the swags.

Lambrequin
A stiff pelmet that often continues down both sides of the window frame.

Rosettes
A focal point for a curtain arrangement. It can be a finishing touch for headings, tiebacks, swags and tails.

Flags
These are double sided Jabots used at the center of a swag or when dividing up swags in a bay window installation.

Scarf Drapery
This is an uncut portion of fabric that is draped to form an ornamental design over a rod.

Rod Pocket
This style of curtain has many names. The top forms a pocket that is threaded onto a rod. This is usually outside the window frame. The fabric is sometimes draped back to the sides of the windows and held in place with tiebacks.

Bishops Sleeve
A bishop’s sleeve is a rod pocket with extra length for blousing. This allows the sides to be gathered with tiebacks and pulled to the window frame to create multiple poufs. Multiple poufs can be made but remember to keep them in proportion to the window size.

Casement
These curtains work well on windows that aren’t opened and closed frequently. They are a good form of decorative curtain, or a curtain that is used just to add color and texture to a room and is not required to be functional. Casement curtains are low cost because they don’t use heading tape, hooks or expensive curtain tracks. They are hung with a rod or pole.

French Pleat, Triple Pleat, Pinch Pleat Curtains
These are regular spaced triple pleats formed by tape that pulls through the cords to create the pleats. The pleats are pinched close together at the bottom so that they fan out towards the top. They require a specific curtain hook to hold the pleats in place and attach the curtain to the track. They are often sewn at the base of the pleat on the face of the fabric to hold the pleat in place.

Tab Top and Tie Top Curtains

Tab Top Curtains
These have fabric loops at the top edge and are threaded through poles or rods. Tab top curtains or panels can be constructed with less fullness than tape headed curtains. Tab top curtains or panels are best not used where they will be drawn frequently as they don’t move easily over the poles and will wear quickly.

Tab tops are available in a multitude of colors, weights, fabrics and designs and are easy to hang on a rod. They are great to use as a decorative curtain or panel over a window with blinds to add color or texture as side curtains. They can puddle on the floor and if in a sheer fabric, they look great blowing gently in the wind.

Tie Top Curtains
Tie Top curtains have small strips of fabric attached to the head and are used to tie over a curtain rod. An informal look is created and they are used mostly with sheers and lightweight fabrics.

Cafe Curtains
Cafe curtains cover only half the window, are stationary and are usually on rods with rings. They can also be tie top, tab top or grommet top for a more contemporary look. They are often teamed up with a valance at the top of the window, purely for decoration to create a tiered effect. They are used to create privacy in a kitchen or bathroom, and as per their original purpose are used frequently in cafes and restaurants.

Fabric and Materials

Face Fabric
The main fabric that faces the interior of the room. Also called the “good” side of the fabric.

Return
Part of the drapery that goes around the side of a cornice, valance, drape to sit flush and at right angles with the wall.

Head
The top of the curtain. It’s often called heading because of the tape that is used to make decorative designs.

Stackback
This is the area used by pleated curtains when they are open on either side of the window. You need to allow for this when you measure for your curtain track.

Padded Edge
This is a roll of padding along the leading edge of a curtain.

Heading Tape
Curtain heading tape is how you get head designs like french pleats, pencil pleats, or the basic gathered pleats. You sew on the tape and pull through the strings to create the design.

Leading Edge
The inner vertical edges of the curtain that meets at the center of the window.

Hem
The base of the curtain which has the fabric turned back up to make a neat finish to the bottom edge. It also adds natural weight which helps the curtain hang neatly.

Lining
Lining sits behind the curtain and helps with insulation, protects the curtain from moisture and dirt from the window, helps provide fullness, blocks out light and protects the fabric from UV.

So take your time and as with all home projects, plan and then plan again. Make sure the colors compliment the room and furniture. Take all measurements twice and make allowance for pleats and valence if used. Pay special attention to the vendor’s measurement procedure.