How To Make Roman Shades
My specialty is designing
and making fabric art into functioning window shades. I personally love
the combination of right-brain creativity and left-brain practicality
involved in this endeavor. Viewing the
Galleries
will tantalize you visually and hopefully inspire you to make your own
pieced Roman shades. However, you also need the how-to about making shades.
This section is devoted to the left-brain activities essential for a
perfectly functioning end-product.
Video
Clips
I was honored to be a
guest on the PBS television program "Creative Living with Sheryl
Borden". We filmed four segments in April of 2008. The segments
will air in the 2008/2009 season. "Creative Living" is seen in
108 markets, mostly in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Check your local
listings to see if you get this wonderful "home economics"
program, which has aired for 31 years! We have uploaded all of the programs so that you can see them here. Sheryl has granted us
permission to post these programs. Start at the Video Clips page and then click on the link to each video. You can also view the
programs on You
Tube.
Understand Roman Shades
This section contains
information on how
Roman shades fold, options
for lifting mechanisms and a discussion of fabrics and linings.
 Measure and
Sketch your Pattern
Begin planning your project by reading this section. You will decide how
to mount your shade and measure your window then you will use the
Hardware Calculator to determine how your shade folds. Read the
instructions on how
to use the Hardware Calculator.
This new page is complete with examples that you can use to get familiar
with this wonderful tool.
We also provide step-by-step
instructions for your to sketch your very own
Roman shade
Pattern. You
will also learn about all of the hardware
and tools required to make professional-looking shades.
Common Techniques
Learn the simple steps that are common for all of the projects described
in this section: cutting the front fabric
and lining, hemming the bottom
of the shade, sewing side seams,
attaching battens in the folds, sewing on the lift rings, making the
mounting board and stringing your shade.
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.
 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.
 Make a Top-Down Only Shade
If you don't need to raise your shade from the bottom, this project is for you.
You have one set of cords that are used to lower the shade. This shade can
be made as an outside mount or an inside mount. Just like the Top-Down/Bottom-Up
shade, it hangs from the headrail and is not attached to the bottom of the window.
The headrail (mounting board) is covered with a Valance.
Make a Valance
 A fabric Valance can be used alone on a bare window, dress up an existing window treatment or used to hide the hardware of a top-down shade. Read the complete instructions on how to make both an Inside Mount Valance and an Outside Mount Valance. Learn an easy technique that makes your Valance look like a padded cornice when it is mounted on a simple 1x2 or 1x3 board.
How to
Proceed
If this is
your first time visiting our Site, then I suggest that you read the
first three parts (Understand Roman Shades, Measure & Design and
Common Techniques) listed in the left-hand column. Read a whole page and
then decide if you need to print it out for future reference. You can
then read the page for the type of shade you will be making: Make
Classic Roman Shades, Make Top-Down and Bottom-Up Shades or Make
Top-Down Only Shades. The remaining Section: Make Valance might also be of interest. Begin
the Learning Process with "Understand Roman Shades"
A
Comment on Copyright
These directions are
meant for you to print out and make your own shades. My intention in posting
them here for anyone to see and use is two-fold:
 |
I no longer have to answer the same questions over and over again. |
|
|
I am hoping that when you make your shades, you will order
some or all of the hardware and supplies from me. |
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.
Contact
Information:
Terrell
Designs, owned by Terrell Sundermann
5325 Sanford Cir. E. Englewood, Colorado 80113
Phone: (303) 758-0188 Email:
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