How To Make Roman Shades – Part 4
Now the shade is finished and – Oh, my, is it ever starting to look good! But it isn’t finished yet. It needs to be turned, the board attached on top, the rings need to be attached, and the cords need to be inserted.
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!