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How to Make Roman Shades 
Video Clips Understand Roman Shades Folding Internal Battens Ideal Stackage Lifting Mechanisms Appropriate Fabrics Measure and Design Mounting Options Measure Window Operating the Hardware Calculator Sketch Your "Pattern" Pattern Template Example Pattern Gather Fabric and Hardware Required 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
We are your specialists for making Roman shades, buying Roman shade hardware and learning how to make Roman shades, whether Classic flat shades or top down bottom up shades. |
How To
 Make a Top-Down/Bottom-Up Shade
This very popular shade is actually easy to make. Based on the Classic Roman shade, an extra set of cords is added so that the top drops down. The shade can be lowered from the top to maintain a view and still provide privacy. It can also be raised from the bottom to allow access to cranks to open your window. Learn about the simple changes required for your shade to operate flawlessly in both directions. Many professional details are described. You should also read the Top-Down Shade FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) Section. 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.
Step 2. You need to understand the differences between operating a Top-Down/Bottom-Up shade and a Classic Roman Shade. Like a Classic Roman Shade, a Top-Down/Bottom-Up shade is made with a fabric front backed with a drapery lining. The same type headrail (with pulleys or screw eyes and possibly cord locks) is used and is attached to the wall or window trim. Unlike a Classic Roman shade, the Top-Down shade is not attached to the headrail with Velcro. The shade "hangs" from a second set of lift cords that are tied to the top of the shade. Since the headrail is exposed when the shade is "dropped", it is covered with a small valance. The top edge of your Top-Down/Bottom-Up shade differs from a Classic Roman shade. It holds a Stiffener Board and the Top-Down lift rings. The Stiffener Board is required so that the top edge is straight, since it is visible when the shade is lowered. The Top-Down lift rings must be sewn to the shade at the top of a pocket that holds the Stiffener Board. An additional "flap" of fabric extends up beyond the pocket to hide these rings and the knots of the cords. The panel drops in nice even folds along the columns of lift rings and lift cords that also perform the Bottom-Up function. Study the drawing below and you will see the differences between a Classic Roman shade and a Top-Down/Bottom-Up Shade.
The sketch above shows the BACK of a Top-Down/Bottom-Up shade. The Top-Down hardware is shown in red. The Bottom-Up hardware is show in blue. Operating the Top-Down Cords Operating the Bottom-Up
Cords The emphasis of your planning is different with a Top-Down/Bottom-Up shade. You MUST start with the hardware (lifting operation) in order to make your shade "system" (the fabric shade and the valance) the correct size.
Continue
the Learning Process with "Part 2:
Make a Top-Down/Bottom-Up Shade"
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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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The shade is "closed" (fully covers the window and is fully
extended) when the shade is pulled all the way up to the top of the headrail.
(It can only be pulled up to the bottom of the hardware, we will discuss that
later.) The Top-Down Cord is at it's longest when
the shade is in it's closed position. It is cleated-off, or engaged in a cord
lock, which holds the shade up. Releasing the cord lowers the shade. It drops in
folds because it is guided by the Bottom-Up Cords.
A knot in the Top-Down cord stops the shade at the
lowest position you want it to drop. 
We start again with the shade "closed" (fully covers the window and
is fully extended) with the shade pulled all the way up to the top of the
headrail. The Bottom-Up Cord
is at it's shortest when the shade is in the "closed" position. The
cord pull hangs freely with a knot just below the last pulley, or without a knot
from the cord lock. When you pull on the Bottom-Up Cord, the bottom of the shade raises
up in accordion fashion.
