A Glossary of Sewing Terms

I shall not bother you with what you don't need to know. The following are the only words and terms you need to understand to make successful, professional curtains in your own home.

Buckram - a stiffened cotton used inside tie backs or on curtain headings to create pleats by hand. Bought in various widths from 8cm to 15cm on a roll.

Piping - can be created by covering shop bought piping cord with your own bias strips of fabric, or decorative piping can be bought with a protruding piece of cloth that is then sewn into your seam so the decorative piping is left exposed around the edges of your fabric.

Interlining - such as bump, or a thick, soft fabric that is layered between your curtain fabric and your lining fabric. It adds weight, body, and insulation to your curtains. It dramatically improves their drape for a truely professional finish. However, many do not bother with interlining their curtains, and good results can be achieved without this extra layer.

Lining - cotton sateen is the most common form and will protect the back of your curtain somewhat from sunlight. It also add body to your curtains and improves their drape.Cream or ecru colors are best used.

Bias - is the diagonal cut of the fabric. Bias strips of fabric are used to bind edges and cover piping cord.

Curtain track returns - the right angle of the track at either end that bends back towards the window. The hung curtain will follow the line of the right angle and hide either side of the edge of the window frame.

Screw eyes - are screws with circular eyes attached to the base where cord can be threaded through. They are mounted underneath the batten so support the cords attached to the back of a roman blind.

Lathe - a thin piece of wood cut to the width of your roman blind, that is inserted into a fabric pocket along the bottom of your roman blind. This weights the blind so it hangs correctly.

Batten - a piece of wood to which the top of the roman blind is attached, then the wood is mounted to your window recess or wall. The wood is hidden from view by fabric.

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