Band or Trim!

In the video below we will explain the difference.

Bands and trim accents bring a unique custom touch to your window treatment or bedding design, making your product truly one-of-a-kind!

However, it's important to understand the differences between these two custom accents, so you can communicate the EXACT look you're going for, and make sure that the yardage is calculated correctly for your project.

photo & design by Carlough + Co

DISCLAIMER

The soft furnishings industry is notorious for using multiple terms for referring to the same item, or you may find different words used for similar situations across different workrooms and designers.

Let this guide serve as a general overview, so you can at least start to get a feel for the different custom accents terms available to you for your next design!

Band vs. Trim

A BAND refers to a block or strip of color made from contrasting fabric sent to our workroom. Fabric bands are sewn to the FACE fabric.

The FACE fabric makes up the majority of the product. There are two different ways we usually apply fabric bands...

Joan Stevenson with a grand band drapery, beaded trim along the seam

Band application method 1: The contrast fabric acts more like a block or strip of color, continuing the width or length of the product, and is conjoined to the face fabric with a seam.

Find several examples of this below. On custom draperies, this look is often referred to as a "grand band".

photo & draperies by a designer with Ethan Allen (Danbury, CT)

photo & drapery design for the Ethan Allen Hotel (Danbury, CT)

photo & design by Leah Eiden with Ethan Allen (Vienna, VA)

A grand band is a great way to break up the length of a space, adding visual interest and emphasis on certain lines of the window frame or decorative molding.

But don't limit your drapery bands to just the width of your panel...

A leading edge band is another beautiful way to customize your client's drapery!

Two layers of contrast banding fabric own the leading edge

Leading edge banding with lip cord trim within the seam

Patterned leading edge banding

Pairing patterned and solid fabrics together for banding on draperies is another beautiful look!

Note: That many of these styles have additional layers with multiple bands, or a trim covering the seam between the banding and the body of the drapery.

Fabric bands aren't just for draperies either...

Patterned fabric band down the center of this custom lumbar pillow

Patterned fabric band along the center of this custom bed bolster

Bringing us to...

Band application method 2: The contrast fabric band is folded and stitched onto the face fabric.

Compare this with the first band application method, where contrast fabric adds length or width and is conjoined with face fabric at the seam.

Layered contrast fabric bands

Mitered contrast fabric banding applied on the top of face fabric

See how this type of band is applied ON TOP of the face fabric.

This can also work with select bedding products, shades, and other accessories.

Contrast fabric band applied on top of a quilted bedspread

Contrast fabric bands made into straps for this casual roman topper with tails

Contrast u-shaped fabric band on the perimeter of this flat roman shade

Highlight colorful accents with a fabric band down the lengths of either side of your shade, or request a band along the very bottom to add a pop of color or to add length.

However, it's important to differentiate this band style from a similar look of a FLAT TRIM.

Flat trim can appear similar to a fabric band at first glance.

However, while we cut 54" wide fabric to create a band for your product, flat trim is readymade.

This will have an impact on the yardage quoted for the look you've specified.

Readymade trim applied to the leading edge of the custom drapery panel

Flat trim application in progress

Flat trim in a u-shape around the perimeter of this shade

Flat trim, sometimes called Grosgrain trim, typically measures between 1",2", 3" or 4" wide, but you can find trim even smaller or larger than that.

Fabric bands, can measure a bit wider. A Grand band for example will vary in size, and can measure as small as 5", up to more than half of a drapery panel length.

Fabric bands can also be cut on the bias to sew more easily around cured bottoms such as a scalloped bottom valance.

A striped fabric can be cut on the bias to show the stripes in a diagonal pattern.

In the picture below are more examples of flat trim and fabric bands on some of our custom shade products.

Trim along the bottom flat flap of this roman shade topper

More u-shaped trim around the perimeter of these flat roman shades

While it's up to you to specify your band size in inches, the width of the readymade trim will be specified on your fabric vendor's website.

It's important to relay this information to us in the quoting stage, before confirming your order.

Please be aware that some trims may require hand-sewing.

Fringe trim sewn into the seam of this custom valance

Bobble trim sewn into the seam of this custom valance

Beaded trim sewn into the seam of this custom valance

Trim with pom-poms, beads, tassels or fringe typically hang from a decorative lip.

Depending on the style of the trim and the look you're going for, we can sew the trim on by one of two ways...

1) We can machine sew the trim INTO THE SEAM of the product, so that the decorative lip does not show... Pictured above.

2)If the decorative lip of the trim is so decorative you don't want to hide it, and you'd prefer the decorative lip to remain visible along with the pom-poms, beads, tassels or fringe we can sew on top of the face fabric by machine or by hand.Pictured below.

Just be sure to specify with your order exactly how and where you would like your trim applied onto your product!

Tassel trim sewn on top of this box pleated balloon topper

Pom-pom trim sewn on top of this flat roman shade

Again, there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way, but some methods might work best for certain situations, and we're here to help talk through any questions with you if needed.

Our talented artisans have years of experience under their belt and will be in constant communication with our office staff before getting started on fabrication!

design & photography by Maureen Leonard (Interior-Details)

Custom accents like flat trim and fabric bands are one of the many things that make custom bedding and window treatments so special!

Your one-of-a-kind Bedding, Drapery or Shade design will bring unique flair and personality to your client's windows for many years to come.

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Band vs. Trim, what's the difference?

Band or Trim!

In the video below we will explain the difference.

Bands and trim accents bring a unique custom touch to your window treatment or bedding design, making your product truly one-of-a-kind!

However, it's important to understand the differences between these two custom accents, so you can communicate the EXACT look you're going for, and make sure that the yardage is calculated correctly for your project.

photo & design by Carlough + Co

**DISCLAIMER**

The soft furnishings industry is notorious for using multiple terms for referring to the same item, or you may find different words used for similar situations across different workrooms and designers.

Let this guide serve as a general overview, so you can at least start to get a feel for the different custom accents terms available to you for your next design!

Band vs. Trim

A BAND refers to a block or strip of color made from contrasting fabric sent to our workroom. Fabric bands are sewn to the FACE fabric.

The FACE fabric makes up the majority of the product. There are two different ways we usually apply fabric bands...

Joan Stevenson with a grand band drapery, beaded trim along the seam

Band application method 1: The contrast fabric acts more like a block or strip of color, continuing the width or length of the product, and is conjoined to the face fabric with a seam.

Find several examples of this below. On custom draperies, this look is often referred to as a "grand band".

photo & draperies by a designer with Ethan Allen (Danbury, CT)

photo & drapery design for the Ethan Allen Hotel (Danbury, CT)

photo & design by Leah Eiden with Ethan Allen (Vienna, VA)

A grand band is a great way to break up the length of a space, adding visual interest and emphasis on certain lines of the window frame or decorative molding.

But don't limit your drapery bands to just the width of your panel...

A leading edge band is another beautiful way to customize your client's drapery!

Two layers of contrast banding fabric own the leading edge

Leading edge banding with lip cord trim within the seam

Patterned leading edge banding

Pairing patterned and solid fabrics together for banding on draperies is another beautiful look!

Note: That many of these styles have additional layers with multiple bands, or a trim covering the seam between the banding and the body of the drapery.

Fabric bands aren't just for draperies either...

Patterned fabric band down the center of this custom lumbar pillow

Patterned fabric band along the center of this custom bed bolster

Bringing us to...

Band application method 2: The contrast fabric band is folded and stitched onto the face fabric.

Compare this with the first band application method, where contrast fabric adds length or width and is conjoined with face fabric at the seam.

Layered contrast fabric bands

Mitered contrast fabric banding applied on the top of face fabric

See how this type of band is applied ON TOP of the face fabric.

This can also work with select bedding products, shades, and other accessories.

Contrast fabric band applied on top of a quilted bedspread

Contrast fabric bands made into straps for this casual roman topper with tails

Contrast u-shaped fabric band on the perimeter of this flat roman shade

Highlight colorful accents with a fabric band down the lengths of either side of your shade, or request a band along the very bottom to add a pop of color or to add length.

However, it's important to differentiate this band style from a similar look of a FLAT TRIM.

Flat trim can appear similar to a fabric band at first glance.

However, while we cut 54" wide fabric to create a band for your product, flat trim is readymade.

This will have an impact on the yardage quoted for the look you've specified.

Readymade trim applied to the leading edge of the custom drapery panel

Flat trim application in progress

Flat trim in a u-shape around the perimeter of this shade

Flat trim, sometimes called Grosgrain trim, typically measures between 1",2", 3" or 4" wide, but you can find trim even smaller or larger than that.

Fabric bands, can measure a bit wider. A Grand band for example will vary in size, and can measure as small as 5", up to more than half of a drapery panel length.

Fabric bands can also be cut on the bias to sew more easily around cured bottoms such as a scalloped bottom valance.

A striped fabric can be cut on the bias to show the stripes in a diagonal pattern.

In the picture below are more examples of flat trim and fabric bands on some of our custom shade products.

Trim along the bottom flat flap of this roman shade topper

More u-shaped trim around the perimeter of these flat roman shades

While it's up to you to specify your band size in inches, the width of the readymade trim will be specified on your fabric vendor's website.

It's important to relay this information to us in the quoting stage, before confirming your order.

Please be aware that some trims may require hand-sewing.

Fringe trim sewn into the seam of this custom valance

Bobble trim sewn into the seam of this custom valance

Beaded trim sewn into the seam of this custom valance

Trim with pom-poms, beads, tassels or fringe typically hang from a decorative lip.

Depending on the style of the trim and the look you're going for, we can sew the trim on by one of two ways...

1) We can machine sew the trim INTO THE SEAM of the product, so that the decorative lip does not show... Pictured above.

2)If the decorative lip of the trim is so decorative you don't want to hide it, and you'd prefer the decorative lip to remain visible along with the pom-poms, beads, tassels or fringe we can sew on top of the face fabric by machine or by hand.Pictured below.

Just be sure to specify with your order exactly how and where you would like your trim applied onto your product!

Tassel trim sewn on top of this box pleated balloon topper

Pom-pom trim sewn on top of this flat roman shade

Again, there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way, but some methods might work best for certain situations, and we're here to help talk through any questions with you if needed.

Our talented artisans have years of experience under their belt and will be in constant communication with our office staff before getting started on fabrication!

design & photography by Maureen Leonard (Interior-Details)

Custom accents like flat trim and fabric bands are one of the many things that make custom bedding and window treatments so special!

Your one-of-a-kind Bedding, Drapery or Shade design will bring unique flair and personality to your client's windows for many years to come.

TAKE ACTION

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DISCLAIMER