But then again, some people like hand sewing, or don’t want to pull the weight of the shade up into the sewing machine – the bigger the shade, the heavier the fabric and living get. Watch the video and decide for yourself if you want to try this method. It does make the work move faster.

Making Roman Shades – How To Sew On A Shade Ring

www.makingromanshades.com ~ Learn how to sew on a roman shade ring. Watch Jenny T. as she shows you an expert sewing technique that will speed up making roman shades.

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To get all that started, the shade must first be turned. There’s a technique to turning it, watch carefully how Terrell does it. Do turn it gently or you might displace the lining and secret structure.

Once again, the shade is laid out on the table, but this time with the right side out. It is carefully measured – but Terrell has figured out a quick and foolproof way to do this that always comes out right. I am loving the way she’s doing it. My first Roman shade was a disaster because of this very problem. I followed the directions in the book, but things did not come out even. I hate it when that happens.

Turns out that’s a common problem. But Terrell has figured out a way around it – that completely avoids the problem of the rings and lift cords not matching up. How I wish I knew this earlier!

Terrell then strings the cord through. It’s super-easy the way she does it! (Again, how I wish I saw this a few years ago when I was making my ill-fated first roman shade. I must have re-read the instructions a hundred times and they totally confused me! And then my cords tangled – what a mess it was!) You won’t have any of those problems if you do it this way.

(By the way, for a quick way to sew the plastic rings onto your shade, watch this video – but only after watching Terrell’s below):

Make a Classic Roman Shade Part 4

Terrell Sundermann discusses Classic Roman Shades on the PBS TV show “Creative Living with Sheryl Borden.” See Classic Roman Shades Parts 1, 2 & 3 and www.terrelldesigns.com for more about designing and making Roman shades.

Wow, these tips help making Roman shades so much simpler and SO much more professional looking! I can’t wait to get started making a new Roman shade!

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Next is where Terrell inserts her “secret ingredient” to making your roman shades fold sharply and crisply every time without ever sagging. Watch as she sets up the table, lays the shade out, and uses her foolproof method of attaching the “secret structure:”

Make a Classic Roman Shade Part 3

Terrell Sundermann discusses Classic Roman Shades on the PBS TV show “Creative Living with Sheryl Borden.” See Classic Roman Shades Parts 1, 2 & 4 and www.terrelldesigns.com for more about designing and making Roman shades.

You’ve got to admit, if you make your shades this way (with the “secret structure”), they WILL stack beautifully and perfectly every time.

Terrell did her Roman shades this way fifteen years ago, and they still look beautiful!

Coming up next is Lesson 4 – the last steps to gorgeous Roman shades! Click here to go to “How To Make Roman Shades” - Part 4

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If you’re planning on going through all the videos in the series before starting, that’s smart. That way, you’ll have a better idea of what fabric and materials to buy, how much to buy, any other supplies that you’ll need and approximately how much time you’ll need to delegate to the task.

Did I say task? I don’t mean task as in some unpleasant work or drudgery! Sewing Roman shades is fun! It is a total thrill to see your concept take shape and form – from an idea in your head to hanging in the window! This is what it means to be creative! By task, I simply mean you can have a better idea of how to schedule your time.

So watching the videos first is a great idea. And don’t forget, you can turn your computer on and watch the part of the videos you need to know, then pause and go do that section of your Roman shade, then watch the next section, etc. If you get confused, you can go back and watch the same section over and over, so you can feel guided all the way.

OK, here’s “How To Make Roman Shades – Part 2:”

Make a Classic Roman Shade Part 2

Terrell Sundermann discusses Classic Roman Shades on the PBS TV show “Creative Living with Sheryl Borden.” See Classic Roman Shades Parts 1, 3 & 4 and www.terrelldesigns.com for more about designing and making Roman shades.

In Part 2, the front fabric and lining is cut – be sure to add enough fabric for your bottom hem, the top fold-over, and the side seams. Remember to use drapery lining with ultraviolet blocks, so your shade fabric is protected, rather than plain muslin. Follow Terrell’s instructions for cutting the lining, pinning it and sewing it.

Ready for Lesson 3? Click here for “How To Make Roman Shades” – Part 3

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Many people are afraid to try making their own Roman shade. They think its difficult and complicated – but it’s not! Making Roman shades is actually quite simple if you have the least bit of sewing experience… and good instructions.

If you’ve never sewn anything before – it’s probably advisable for you to bone up on the basics before trying a shade. Find a YouTube video, TV show or library book that covers things like how to use a sewing machine, how to cut fabric, explains what a seam is, how to sew two pieces of fabric together, etc., Then sew an apron or a small curtain. It won’t take long and will give you the practice and confidence you need to sew your own roman shades.

I’ve scoured the internet for videos on making a roman shade and came up with some good ones. Let’s start with Terrell Sundermann’s series. Terrell has come up with lots of innovations and ways of putting together Roman shades that makes it easier and more fool-proof.

Let’s start from the beginning – here’s part 1:

Make a Classic Roman Shade Part 1

Terrell Sundermann discusses Classic Roman Shades on the PBS TV show “Creative Living with Sheryl Borden.” See Classic Roman Shades Parts 2, 3 & 4 and www.terrelldesigns.com for more about designing and making Roman shades.

We’re off to a good start. Time to move on to Part 2 of “How To Make Roman Shades.”

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Roman shades are very attractive and add beauty and elegance to your home. They also provide privacy and insulation. But getting custom made roman shades is a huge expense. Why spend money you don’t have when you can make them yourself?

You’ve probably already priced Roman shades and know how much money you’ll save. But you might be hesitating because you think they’re too hard to make. If so, you’re mistaken – its not hard at all, but you must have the right instructions.

What kind of instructions are the “right instructions?” In a minute, I’ll show you a list I of all the criteria that really matters. Believe me, I learned what matters from the school of hard knocks. Back in college, I made myself a set of roman shades following the directions from a library book and a flyer from a fabric store. Sure, it was confusing, but I was smart and I thought I’d figured it out. Boy, was I wrong!

When I hung my shades up, they were not only too short, but too narrow! They barely covered the window and light poured through from all sides! They looked ridiculous! But I didn’t have any more money to make new ones, so I had to put with that painful sight all year. Even worse, I had to take the humiliation of my friends rolling their eyes at me and my shades every time they came over.

So take it from me, you need the right instructions, not those indecipherable, mechanical style instruction lists you get for free from fabric stores or off the internet. Here’s what matters:

• The instructions have to be easy-to-understand and use friendly, beginner-style language, so that ANYONE can be successful at sewing roman shades… no matter what level sewer you are.
• They need to take you through the process step-by-step. Only instructions that walk you through every single step of making the roman shade you want will do, otherwise you’ll get confused.
• Must have clear diagrams and illustrations that show you *exactly* what to do.
• Must go beyond making a basic roman shade. Sure the instructions should include making a basic roman shade, but what is you want to line your shade or make a specific style?
• Must make calculating the math easy. Roman shades require you to figure out pleat spacing, yards of fabric, lift cord spacing and more! The instructions should make this process so simple, that you don’t have to do any math at all.


• Have videos that show you every
  

I learned a big lesson making my first shades: that you’re not saving money if you make roman shades that don’t fit. In the end you lose not only all the fabric and materials you paid good money for, but also your time and effort.

So don’t make the same mistake I did. Get good instructions. I found excellent instructions on making Roman Shades from Jenny T. with step-by-step videos – and there’s even a way for you to get them for free. Now I know exactly how to make Roman shades fit and work perfectly every time. You can too!

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