Acrylic
Manmade fiber frequently used as a substitute for wool.

Anchor Band Pad
Mattress pad held in place by means of bands of fabric or elastic placed diagonally at the corners of the pad and stretched/pulled under the mattress.

Antibacterial
Preventing or suppressing the growth or spread of bacteria as a result of undergoing a special washing or treatment with bacteria inhibitors.

Appliqué
A decoration or design made separately then embroidered, pasted or sewn onto another fabric

Armoire
Tall cupboard which, when fitted with shelves, functions as storage for linens and entertainment equipment, or, without interior shelving, as a wardrobe.

Ascot Valance
A triangular top treatment usually used between matching panels. A double rod would be used, with the panels on the inside rod and usually 3 ascots on the outside rod for a finished look. An ascot can also be inserted between the panels on a single rod.

Aubusson
Rug manufactory that came to prominence in 17th century France, the name of which has become synonymous with luxurious rugs in highly ornate, curlicue patterns.

Balloon Valance
A straight-across valance that is sewn as a pocket that can be filled with tissue paper for a full, puffy look, or left unstuffed for a more tailored look.

Bed-in-a-Bag® Set
A completely coordinated bed ensemble that includes a comforter, bed skirt and two standard shams (twin has one sham; king has two king shams or three standard shams), plus a Sheet Set with one flat sheet, one fitted sheet and two standard pillowcases (twin has one case; king has two king or three standard cases).

Binding
A narrow length of fabric that has been sewn on to cover seams or unfinished edges. Referred to as “self-binding” when in the same color and fabric as the base fabric. Contrasting binding is of a different color, pattern or fabric.

Blouson
A straight-across valance that is sewn as a pocket that can be filled with tissue paper for a full, puffy look, or left unstuffed for a more tailored look.

Box-Stitch Quilting
Stitching in the square shape of a box - used in filled bedding such as featherbeds and comforters to keep the feather or fiber filling from shifting or bunching together in one spot.

Brocade
Jacquard-woven fabric with all-over interwoven design of raised figures or flowers. Often has an embossed appearance by contrasting surfaces or colors on satin or twill grounds.

Brushed Finish
A raised nap or novelty surface texture that is created with the application of an abrasive device or brush.

Buyer's Club
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Cambric
A plain cotton or linen fabric of a fine, close, weave.

Chair Size
If it measures 32" - 40" long and seats 1 person, use a chair size slipcover.

Chenille
Fabric made from fuzzy yarns which gives it a soft, textured surface.

Chintz
Plain-weave fabric (often cotton) that has been glazed to create a subtle surface sheen and greater shape retention - frequently highly patterned.

Combed Cotton
Cotton that has been combed for the removal of short fibers and impurities. This results in compact, smooth yarns that, when woven, create a softer, smoother fabric that is less likely to pill.

Comforter
A thick, quilted bedcover filled with feathers, down or other natural or man-made fibers.

Comforter Cover
A sack-like covering, constructed with three closed sides and one open side for the insertion of a comforter. May have button, tie or zipper closure. Can help protect a comforter and offers expanded decorating options as it allows you to change the look without the expense of purchasing a new comforter.

Comforter Set
An ensemble that includes a comforter, bed skirt and two standard shams (twin has one sham; king has two king or three standard shams.

Comfortspread
A one-piece bedspread created by attaching an underskirt to a shorter top layer for the appearance of a separate coverlet and bedskirt.

Convoluted Foam
Considered more comforting than flat foam, this man-made material has dramatically defined peaks and valleys to accommodate the varying profiles of the body - changes its contours in reaction to body temperature, thereby “remembering” the shape of the person using it and providing more comfortable/body-contouring support.

Cording
A length of decorative trim sewn on within the seams or around the edges of an item. Often made of braided or twisted yarns. Can also be made of yarns that have been woven into a tubular shape and filled with a fiber core for shape retention.

Cotton
Plucked from the cotton plant, it is then woven into a wide range of patterns, colors, weights and textures. It also stands ready to accept applications that make it resistant to flame, water, stains and shrinking.

Cotton Batting
A layer of compressed cotton fibers used as a fill in better quilts.

Cotton-Rich
Blended fabric that has a higher percentage of cotton to give the fabric more of cotton’s natural characteristics, such as softness and breathability.

Coverlet
A lightweight, decorative bed topper that is shorter than a bedspread, designed to expose a bed skirt or bed frame.

Crescent Valance
A gathered, half-moon valance usually used with jabots or as top treatments to window panels.

Crochet
French term for needlework actually done with a specialized hook tool called a crochet - most often used for doilies, bureau scarves and large bedding items such as coverlets, shams and bands of trimming on solid-piece items.

Dacron
A strong and wrinkle-resistant synthetic fiber.

Damask
Fabric with a fine, jacquard-woven pattern that has a subtle sheen on the raised surfaces and is reversible.

Day Bed Set
An ensemble that includes a daybed-size comforter, bed skirt and two king shams or three standard shams.

Decal
Derived from the French term for “remove” or “unglue”, most usually employed to describe printed patterns or images which are to be placed on furniture, fabrics or china - the term is a common synonym for “transfer-printing.”

Deep Pockets
The corners of fitted sheets sized specifically to accommodate today’s thicker mattresses.

Denier
A unit of measure indicating the fineness of a fiber, filament or yarn.

Down
The soft, fluffy substance, culled from the underside of a bird (usually goose or duck) that is used to fill pillows, comforters, mattress toppers and outerwear. It is prized for its light weight and unique thermal properties. As the temperature decreases, down naturally contracts to retain warmth. White Down is finer, fluffier than darker toned down. Goose Down: Considered a more opulent fill than duck or hen’s down. White Goose Down: Finer, fluffier than darker-toned goose down.

Down-Proof
Covers of tightly woven fabric used on pillows, comforters and featherbeds to prevent the fine down fill from escaping or the quill/ribs of the down feathers from poking through.

Drop flounce bedspread
Bedspread created with a flat platform and an attached skirt that has been gathered at the top seam to create a ruffled, flounce effect.

Duck
A heavyweight fabric also known as canvas. It is the most durable fabric, with a very close weave.

Duvet
A sack-like covering, constructed with three closed sides and one open side for the insertion of a comforter. May have button, tie or zipper closure. Can help protect a comforter and offers expanded decorating options as it allows you to change the look without the expense of purchasing a new comforter.

Embroidered
Embellished with ornamental needlework designs, sewn by hand or machine.

Euro Sham
A decorative casing for square pillows, usually measures 26"x26".

Eyelet
Type of decorative cutwork in which the edges of a small hole are finished with embroidery.

Feather
Outer plumage of a bird (usually a duck or goose) used as a lofty, supportive fill for pillows and featherbeds and in conjunction with down to fill comforters.

Featherbed
A feather-filled topper placed over the mattress/under the sheet to increase the comfort of a traditional mattress.

Featherbed Cover
A large, protective, case-like cover for featherbeds.

Fill Power
A measure of the density of filling in bedding such as comforters; usually defined as ounce/pound per square inch/foot of goods.

Fitted Pad
Mattress pad usually fitted with a sidewall or elastics skirt that sits tightly/firmly on mattress.

Fleece
Fabric with a soft pile in imitation of a sheep’s furry coat.

Gallery Rail
Small, low railing applied to tray and table tops as a guard against surface items sliding off.

Gold Leaf
Extremely thin sheets or “leaves” of beaten gold applied to plasterwork or carved wood creating an opulent decorative finish on paneling, frames and furniture.

Goose Down
Considered a more opulent fill than duck or hen’s down.

Hand-Embroidered
Ornamental needlework done by hand rather than by machine.

Hand-Hooked
Yarns (usually wool or cotton) are pulled through a backing (usually canvas or jute) with a tool similar to a crochet hook to form the loops which are the pile of the rug.

Hand-Tufted
Small clusters of yarns called tufts (usually in wool or cotton) are pushed through a backing (usually canvas or jute) with a special tool thereby forming the pile of the rug.

Hand-Woven
Loomed by hand rather than machine - the resulting fabric looks much more individual/unique than the uniform grading of machine work and, as a result, is usually more expensive because of the time/skill element required.

Heat-Transferred
The technique of printing fabrics by transferring a design from paper to fabric using heat and pressure.

Heavyweight Shipping
If an item is considered "heavyweight" or "oversized" or is to be shipped outside of the contiguous United States, heavyweight shipping charges apply. These charges are noted beside the price of the item.

Hypoallergenic
Having a lower incidence of allergic reaction - either naturally or as a result of special washing or treating.

Insert Valance
A valance that is usually shorter in width than a regular valance. It is used between two panels or a pair of swags.

Installment Billing
If you have a major credit card, you can choose installment billing and enjoy 5 easy payments with 0% interest and no minimum purchase requirement when you place your order! To request installment billing when ordering online, simply put a "check" in the check box next to "Yes, I want easy installment billing" on the billing information page. Your credit card will be authorized for the full amount of purchase within 24 hours. Authorizations can remain on your card for 7 to 10 days and are then released. American Express can hold an authorization for 30 days. During the authorization period, the amount is unavailable for use on your card. The first installment will bill when your merchandise ships and the remaining installments will bill every 30 days thereafter.

Jabots/Swags
A pair of triangular side panels that can be part of the top treatment for window panels, or a stand alone top treatment for long or short windows. An insert or crescent valance must be used with them to complete the look. Each pair has a left and a right panel.

Jacquard
A weaving technique that creates a pattern within the fabric and results in a textured appearance on both sides. Brocade, damask and matelassé are popular examples of jacquard-woven fabrics.

Jersey Knit
Loose, supple knit fabric most popular in tee shirts. Known for its all-season comfort.

Karo Step Quilting
Stitching in a graduated steps or staircase pattern - used in filled bedding such as featherbeds and comforters to keep the feather or fiber filling from shifting or bunching together in one spot.

Knife-Edge
A pleat that is created by folding a section of fabric, creasing it at the center of the fold, laying the creased edge flat, to the left or right. The pleat is then ironed or treated for permanence, creating a sharp-looking, knife-edge effect.

Lamé
A textile fabric that has metallic threads used in the warp.

Large Chair / Club Chair Size
If it measures 40" - 58" long and seats 1 person, use a loveseat size slipcover.

Latex
Man-made material developed as an alternative to natural rubber - known for its non-porous, waterproofing qualities—used in home furnishings for moisture-protection in waterproof mattress pads, and as a non-skid backing on mats and rugs.

Loveseat
If it measures 58" - 73" long and seats 2 people, use a loveseat size slipcover.

Lowboy
Waist-high chest of drawers standing on four long legs; frequently topped by another, taller chest of drawers (without legs) to form a Highboy.

Macramé
An intricately knotted lace.

Matelassé
A soft, jacquard-woven fabric, which has a quilted, puckered surface appearance that adds dimension and texture. Used most often in coverlets.

Memory Foam
Man-made foam than changes its shape in reaction to body temperature, thereby “remembering” the shape of the person using it and providing more comfortable/body-contouring support.

Mercerized
Fabric or yarns that have been finished with a cold solution which results in stronger yarns, a greater affinity for dyes and increased luster. Most often cotton.

Microdenier
Extremely fine fiber.

Microfiber
One of the most recently developed weaves in which fibers (usually man-made) are tightly woven/compressed resulting in a very smooth, supple fabric with a silky hand, velvety drape and natural water-repellency.

Moiré
A solid color fabric with a woven or printed wavy watermark or wood grain pattern.

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Oblong Tablecloth
A rectangular tablecloth with squared corners for rectangular tables.

Olefin
Man-made fiber known for its durability and color retention under a wide array of indoor and outdoor temperatures and conditions.

Oval Tablecloth
The corners are rounded, designed for oval tables.

Pediment
Triangular architectural detail used as a decorative element on furniture. Originated as ancient Greek and Roman temple fronts - revived in England and Continental Europe during the 17th century.

Percale
High-grade sheeting that’s finely woven, smooth and lustrous with a thread count of at least 180 threads per square inch.

Petit-Point
French term meaning small stitch - a classic type of needlework on buckram or canvas backing. Most frequently seen on decorative pillows and rugs.

Photo-Realistic
Printed or painted image that has the depth and clarity of a photograph

Pillowbed
featherbed stitched/quilted to produce the surface effect of many small pillows stitched together.

Pima Cotton
Type of cotton plant producing longer fibers for a smoother thread and softer, stronger, more durable and luxurious fabric.

Piping
A thin decorative trim used to finish a hem, seam or as an outline. Can be the same or contrasting fabric.

Polyester
A man-made fiber created from resin. It’s easy-care, wrinkle resistant and durable and can be woven or knitted to resemble a variety of natural fabrics. Frequently used in a blend with cotton.

Polypropylene
Man-made fiber known for its durability and color retention while retaining a silky feel.

Polyurethane Foam
Man-made spongy material used as the padding of choice over the wooden frames of upholstered seat furniture.

Quilt
Bed covering created by sewing swatches of fabric together to create a patterned top layer which is attached to a thermal (usually cotton or polyester fiberfill) middle layer and contrasting or matching bottom layer.

Resin
Oils occurring naturally in woody plants - frequently referring to manmade petroleum-based substances that can be easily molded into usable shapes.

Ringspun
Method of spinning yarns in which twisting, winding and roving all occur simultaneously, creating a stronger yarn.

Sateen
A luxury fabric woven very tightly, using the satin weave technique, which imparts a subtle sheen and a soft, silky hand.

Satin
Fabric woven and finished to create a very smooth, lustrous face appearance.

Saw-Tooth
Finished edge with a jagged, zigzag appearance.

Scallop
A hemline finish in which the edges curve in a repeated up and down sequence

Sheared Terry
A form of terry where the looped pile has been snipped for a finely haired surface.

Sheet Set
Includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet and two standard pillowcases. Twin has one pillowcase; king has two king cases or three standard cases.

Shell
In home fashions, the outermost layer or cover of a comforter, featherbed, or any other “stuffed” or “filled” item of goods.

Sofa
If it measures 74" - 96" long and seats 4 people, use a sofa size slipcover

Special Offers
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Split Corners
On bed skirts, corners at the foot of the bed, from the platform to the hem, constructed without seams to create an opening to accommodate bed posts. Used on beds without posts, the edges at the corners overlap to conceal the opening.

Sueded Finish
A lightly brushed surface treatment that gives the fabric a feel that’s similar to fine suede.

Swags
A pair of triangular side panels that can be part of the top treatment for window panels, or a stand alone top treatment for long or short windows. An insert or crescent valance must be used with them to complete the look. Each pair has a left and a right panel

Tailored Valance
A straight-across valance that can be used over window panels or inserted between them for more fullness and a more open window look.

Tapered
A silhouette that is narrow at one end and becomes gradually wider at the other.

Tapestry
Ornamental embroideries in which colored threads are interspersed. Created by hand or machine.

Terry
The loop formed by the pile of a fabric when left uncut.

Terrycloth
A pile fabric with loops on both sides as in a Turkish towel - also known as looped terry.

Thread Count
The number of vertical and horizontal yarns per inch in a woven fabric. Higher thread counts can result in a smoother, more durable fabric.

Tufting
Yarns that have been pushed through a woven base fabric to create a decorative or ornamental pile.

Twill
Fabric woven to create the appearance of diagonal surface lines. The result is a strong fabric with a soft drape that is more resistant to wrinkles.

Velvet
A luxurious, densely woven, cut pile fabric with an obvious nap that is soft to the touch

Veneer
Thin layer of wood glued onto the surface of another, thicker piece of wood or wood composite.

Visco-Elastic Foam
An equivalent of Memory foam; a man-made foam that changes its shape in reaction to body temperature, thereby “remembering” the shape of the person using it and providing more comfortable/body-contouring support.

Voile
A semi-transparent fabric made of combed, high twist yarns. Often preferred for sheer window treatments for its drapability and soft, flowing character.

Waffle-Weave
A textured weave with a waffle-like look and feel - is visually interesting and absorbs wear and dust/stains much more successfully than a flat or plain weave.

White Goose Down
Finer, fluffier than darker-toned goose down.

Window Measuring Link
Click here for window measuring information.

Wrap Pad
Mattress pad the sides of which wrap over the sides of the mattress and, in some cases, under the mattress.