Glossary of useful terms

From pelmets to poplin, here you’ll find a handy explanation of the common terms we use at Terry’s Fabrics. Take a look and find the information you’re looking for below, but don’t hesitate to give us a call if there’s anything else you’re unsure of.

Types Of Fabric Explained

Here we cover some of the specific terms related to curtain fabric, covering over 30 terms and what they mean. These could be of use when making a purchase or considering which fabric is right for you.

Types Of Fabric Explained

Acrylic

Acrylic is a man-made fibre which has many uses given that it’s soft, strong, lightweight and resistant to creasing. Acrylic has a texture similar to wool, and thanks to being synthetic, is often a less expensive alternative.

Brocade

Brocade fabrics usually display a raised pattern make from either silk, cotton, linen or wool, and occasionally from man-made fibres. It’s a thicker, richer fabric than most, and often features two or more different colours. Brocade makes a great fabric for a curtain and upholstery projects, thanks to its design and dense, sturdy feel.

Brocatelle

Brocatelle is fairly similar to Brocade, however with a few subtle differences. Brocatelle features linen to strengthen it, and often sticks to just two colours. As it’s a stronger fabric, it doesn’t drape well, making it a better choice for wall hangings than curtain fabric.

Calico

Calico is often used as a cheaper alternative to cotton. It’s slightly thicker than cotton too, making it sturdy enough to carry fabric paints and stencils. The nature of the material means it shrinks well, making it a desirable choice for tight-fitting upholstery fabric.

Canvas

Made from course jute threads, canvas is used to make a material called buckram. It features a basket-weave, and can be made in various weights.

Chenille

Chenille fabric is a is a soft, warm and cosy fabric with a similar texture to velvet. Its looped pile is what makes it so soft and fluffy.

Chintz

Usually, chintz fabric is cotton based, and features a colourful pattern of birds, fruits and flowers. It can sometimes have a glazed finish too. On its own, chintz is a fairly delicate fabric, but it can be lined to make it stronger. Thanks to its busy pattern, chintz is best suited to small upholstered items, or unglazed chintz can be used for curtains.

Corduroy

Made from cotton, corduroy is a strong fabric that features its distinctive cords that run the length of the material. You can get corduroy with different width cords, as well as made from synthetic yarn with a cotton backing.

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 dressmaker’s cotton is simply not strong enough.

Crewelwork

Crewelwork is a type of hand-embroidered fabric, usually made from white cotton with woollen embroidery that often features trees, flowers and leaves. Thanks to its intricate detail and bold colouring, it’s often best used for wall hangings, curtains for windows or four-poster beds, and cushions.

Damask

Damask fabric is a reversible material, as the detailed pattern which usually consists of two colours, is inverted yet still smart on its underside. It’s a fairly formal fabric, often used in traditional settings such as full-length curtains or restoration pieces. The durability of Damask varies depending on what it’s made of – silk, cotton, linen, wool or man-made fibres.

Dupion

Dupion is mainly used for curtains. It’s a soft material but has a rough textured appearance, often referred to as ‘slubbed’. You can get dupion in many different colours, making it a versatile fabric.

Furnishing Cotton

Furnishing cotton – rather than dressmakers cotton, is a stronger type of cotton used in upholstery. You can get it in a range of weights and finishes, and when mixed with synthetics, can result in a more practical fabric that’s less likely to crease.

Gingham

The distinguished check pattern of two colours that sits on a white background is famously known as gingham. It’s light, often bright, and is a great fabric for kitchens, table cloths and children’s fabric.

Lace

Lace can be made from either cotton, viscose or nylon. It’s identified by its light, open work appearance, which makes it the ideal fabric for increasing privacy through your windows, and can be used as delicate bedding and scatter cushion covers. You can also use lace as edging and frills, for more traditional pieces.

Herringbone

Herringbone features an alternating diagonal pattern, created in the twill weave of the fabric. It’s usually made from wool or tweed, and is a sturdy material that’s ideal for upholstery.

Holland

Made from cotton, Indienne fabric was first imported near the end of the 16th century. It features a print or embroidery incorporating flowers and leaves, often on a light-coloured background that brings out the contrasting colours of the design.

Indienne

Herringbone features an alternating diagonal pattern, created in the twill weave of the fabric. It’s usually made from wool or tweed, and is a sturdy material that’s ideal for upholstery.

Jacquard

A jacquard is the part of the loom that controls the type of elaborate pattern the loom produces. Traditionally, this would have appeared as a series of punched cards that dictate which threads are woven, now, this process is controlled by a computer.

Linen

Made from flax, linen is strong and versatile. Alone, it can be prone to creasing, but when blended with cotton, it can become even more versatile! You can make linen even stronger by blending it with synthetic yarn. Linen is ideally used for chair and sofa slip-covers. It can sometimes be used for curtains too, but can occasionally be a little too stiff to achieve the desired curtain drape.

Moire

Moire (also known as watered silk) can be made with silk or a synthetic substitute, and is known for its shimmery, wavy appearance. It’s really light, meaning it’s great for light upholstery, walling and cushions.

Moreen

With a similar appearance to Moire (referred to as a watered pattern), moreen is made from wool or wool and cotton. It’s pretty heavy, making it a sturdy material.

Ottoman

A very hard-wearing fabric, ottoman features a horizontal rib pattern. Its strength makes it a good choice for upholstery, and it can be customised to feature different coloured stripes. It’s available in cotton, silk and synthetic yarns.

Plush

Fuzzy, soft and cosy, plush fabric is similar to velvet, but with a longer, less dense pile. With a comforting texture, it’s a great choice for cushions.