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How to Make Roman Shades 
Video Clips Understand Roman Shades Folding Internal Battens Ideal Stackage Lifting Mechanisms Fabrics Measure and Design Mounting Options Measure Window Operating the Hardware Calculator Sketch Your "Pattern" Pattern Template Example Pattern  Hardware and Tools Common Techniques Cut Fabrics Hem Bottoms Sew Side Seams Glue Battens Sew Lift Rings String Shade Mount Shade Make Classic Roman Shades Close Top with Velcro Make Headrail Make Side Tabs Make Top-Down and Bottom-Up Shades How Cords Operate Finished Dimensions Folding TDBU Shade Design Plan Make TDBU Headrail Cord Lock on TDBU Make TDBU Shade Mount TDBU Shade Make Top-Down Only Make Valance
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How To Make a Classic Roman Shade
Here is a step-by-step description on how to make a classic
flat Roman shade. These VERY detailed instructions include all
of the steps necessary to turn out a perfectly-folding shade.
If you can sew a straight seam, you can make a Roman shade. You can use
these directions to make a one-fabric shade, or to turn your fabric art
into a pieced Roman shade.
As you
follow the Steps, you can click on the links for more information. Then
use the Back button on you browser to return to this page. If you have
already printed out prior Sections, simply print out this page also and
refer back to earlier parts.
Now you are ready to make your Classic Roman shade. ******************************************
Now you are
ready to close the top of your Classic Roman shade. Step 3. Your shade is now right side out, with the bottom of both the front fabric and the lining hemmed and the sides sewn together. With the front side up, smooth into place. Turn up the hem and make sure that the lining and front fabric are 1/2" apart along the entire width of the shade. It is important that the center not sag and that the lining not fall below the front fabric. Carefully smooth the shade up towards the top edge. Pin the front fabric and lining together about 4" below the top edges at frequent intervals. Mark the Finished Length of the shade using pins. Turn the shade under and press. Measure the Finished Shade Length once again (measure twice, sew once). Trim the shade (both the front fabric and the lining) 3/4" PAST the pins.
You are now going to sew a piece of Loop Fastener to the top of the shade on the back side. Loop Fastener is the "soft" looped part of Hook and Loop Fastener (Velcro). The loop fastener will be mated to the Hook Fastener (which will be stapled to your mounting board). Pin the Loop Fastener in place on the back side of the shade at the top. Place it so that it is just below the top edge and side of the shade and it covers the raw edges of the turned over top. Using bobbin thread that matches the front fabric, sew the top edge of the loop fastener to the shade, backstitching at each end. Go slowly, holding the fabrics both behind and in front of the machine needle and tug gently to avoid slippage. Remove all of the pins and measure the Finished Width. If it is still correct, proceed.
Step 4. Measure the length of your shade in at least three places (both sides and in the center). Verify that this is the same as your Finished Shade Length. Your machine sewing is almost complete. You only have to conceal the raw side edges at the bottom of the shade by folding up the fabric and tacking. You will be leaving the bottom of your shade open (it will look like a pillowcase), so you need to hide the 1/2" of raw edges at the bottom of the shade at the side seams. While the colored thread is still in your sewing machine, fold the bottom of the side seams up on a diagonal and tack. Step
5. Make all of your final measurements for your hardware now so that you
can cut the mounting board, battens and weight rod. Sewing is an
imprecise art and your actual Finished Shade Width and Finished Shade
Length may be slightly different from your Design Plan. If you had items
pre-cut when your ordered, don't worry about slight variances. Step 6. Glue Battens inside your shade. You can skip this step if you are willing to "train" your shade to fold and "dress" the folds periodically. If you want a truly professional shade, I urge you to use internal battens.
Continue
the Learning Process with "Part
2:
Make a Classic Roman Shade" A
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There is, of course, no way that I can guarantee that you purchase anything from me. However, there is one thing you should NOT do. That is, modify and claim these directions as your own.
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Sew the
bottom edge of the loop fastener to the shade,
backstitching at each end. (Ignore the thread exiting from the presser foot.
I forgot to photograph this step and stuck the shade back in the
machine. You can see the second row of stitching at the bottom edge
(left edge) of the Velcro.)
