I've spent hours thinking about the shades I will make for the 6 large (over 70 inches wide single-pane) windows in our living room. My mom sent me photocopies of a pattern from years ago that describes how to make top down shades. I originally was just going to use canvas drop cloths (the only fabric I can find in one piece that wouldn't require piecing the shade together) but decided to insulate. I've bought a darkening insulation fabric (40% off at Joanns), batting that is fusible iron-on to minimize the sewing I need to do and rings for the string to go through. I made a pinterest board for roman shades here, (creative I know). The problem with most of the links under there is they aren't instructions, they just describe the multiple options you have in creating Roman shades.
I will attempt to document the stops I take in creating our own version of Top-down (and hopefully bottom-up option too) Roman Shades.
One set of instructions I found is on Terrell Designs at this link. I'll let you know as I follow these instructions and the pattern my mom sent me.
What is different about a Top-Down shade?
The Top-Down/Bottom-Up shade opens from both directions, giving you lots of flexibility. You can't hide the hardware with the Top-Down shade. In order to do that, you have to include a valance. I haven't decided what I'll do about that yet.
Well, I've tried to go through Terrell's info and I've now got 20 pages of "condensed" notes. I'll go through the pattern that my mom sent and then based on that, I'll have my list of what else I need. So far, Terrell's list of materials needed is complicated and long. I'm not sure I can afford all of the pulleys and things the sites lists I need. The point of making these shades myself is to save money.
I'll keep you posted.
I will attempt to document the stops I take in creating our own version of Top-down (and hopefully bottom-up option too) Roman Shades.
One set of instructions I found is on Terrell Designs at this link. I'll let you know as I follow these instructions and the pattern my mom sent me.
What is different about a Top-Down shade?
The Top-Down/Bottom-Up shade opens from both directions, giving you lots of flexibility. You can't hide the hardware with the Top-Down shade. In order to do that, you have to include a valance. I haven't decided what I'll do about that yet.
Well, I've tried to go through Terrell's info and I've now got 20 pages of "condensed" notes. I'll go through the pattern that my mom sent and then based on that, I'll have my list of what else I need. So far, Terrell's list of materials needed is complicated and long. I'm not sure I can afford all of the pulleys and things the sites lists I need. The point of making these shades myself is to save money.
I'll keep you posted.
