Roman Shades

Media Video: Sew a Roman shade to add softness and light control to a window.

Roman Shades

Materials:

fabric
lining
ring tape
cording
fusible web
iron
measuring guide
hook and loop tape
1 x 2 pine board
screw eyes
dowel
metal cleat
drill
screws

Steps:

1. For an inside mount, measure the width of the window opening and subtract 1/2 inch for the finished width of the shade. For the finished length, measure from the top to the bottom and subtract 1/4 inch. Cut both the fabric and liner one inch wider than the finished width and three inches longer than the finished length.
2. With right sides together, pin the entire shade, leaving a small opening at the bottom for turning. Stitch the pieces together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn the shade right side out; slipstitch the opening closed and press it flat.

Figure A

3. To attach the rings, turn the bottom hem up two inches and press it flat. Slip a piece of ring tape under the hem along the side until the first ring is one inch from the hem (figure A). Use fusible web to secure it in place. Repeat procedure for the other side and two more pieces of ring tape evenly spaced in the middle of the shade. Be sure the rings line up or the shade won't work.
4. To hold the rings securely, zigzag stitch over each by hand or machine. Stitch the two-inch hem in place and attach hook and loop tape to the top.

Figure B

5. Cut the board 1/4 inch shorter than the width of the blind and attach the other side of the hook and loop tape to the front of it. Align four screw eyes along the bottom with the ring tape. Thread a piece of cord down through each of the rings on the four tapes and tie a knot at each bottom ring. Thread each one through the screw eyes all to one side (figure B) and tie a knot near the last screw eye and another 3/4 down the blind. Trim the cord ends as necessary.

Figure C

6. Insert a dowel in the hem for stability and attach it to the window by screwing up through the board after drilling pilot holes (figure C). Determine a good spot for the cleat and screw it in place (use this to wrap the cording around when the shade is up). Also in this Episode

Room by Room : Episode RXR-806
•	Computer Room
•	Paint Technique: Flannel
•	Stair Shelves
•	Roman Shades