Because a Roman shade presents a simple, flat look it requires about
the same amount of both decorator and lining fabric as the dimensions
of the shade you are sewing with allowances added for seams, hem and
mounting. When making a Flat Roman shade pattern you'll have to choose a "rib spacing" distance..
Currently, 92% of the patterns made are Flat Roman.
The classic Roman Shade "folds" are created using either ribs or sew-on rings. Ribs provide for crisper folding, rings create more relaxed folds. To fully understand each method please view the sample Flat Roman shade pattern where both techniques are described.
To achieve its soft scalloped look a Balloon shade requires an additional 30% more fabric than the width of the equivalent Flat Roman shade. It also requires additional length to allow for seams, hem, mounting and the "balloon" effect that displays at the bottom of the shade when your shade is fully closed. Balloon shade patterns require a scallops choice.
Probably the simplest to make, a Balloon Shade uses a specialized tape to "gather" the fabrics and create the balloon effect. To fully understand how a Balloon shade is sewn and constructed please view a Balloon shade pattern.
To achieve the soft gathered look an Austrian shade requires more than double the length of fabric and shade tapes than the equivalent Flat Roman shade. It also requires up to twelve inches more for the width of fabric depending on the number of scallops you desire. Austrian shade patterns require a scallops choice.
An Austrian Shade also uses specialized shirring tapes but "gathers" the fabrics in both the vertical and horizontal direction. To fully understand how an Austrian shade is sewn and constructed please view an Austrian shade pattern.
The kit includes a printed pattern booklet and all the shademaking soft goods and hardware you need to complete the shade except your decorator fabric - you find that at your favorite fabric store. Shade lining fabric is an optional component of your kit.
Your kit eliminates carpentry and saves time by doing the following:
Creating a pre-trimmed and finished mounting board with:
The hook-side Velcro pre-attached
Pre-installing and numbering your pulleys/cordlock or eyehooks
Pre-installing your inside or outside mounting hardware
Pre-trimming your Roman Shade ribs
Pre-trimming your shade tapes
Pre-trimming and numbering your shade cords to match your pulleys/cordlock or eyehooks
All you do is sew and assemble. Make your pattern and price one today.
Kit and Shade Supply Shipping
All shipments are via ground shipping utilizing either the United States Postal Service (USPS) or United Parcel Service (UPS).
USPS shipments are charged $5.99
UPS shipments are charged $7.99
The following items REQUIRE UPS shipping:
Roman shade mounting boards
Roman shade ribs
Roman shade weight rods
Flat roman, Balloon and Austrian shade kits.
Sonata Sateen, Budget Blackout, Econosheen and Special Suede lining fabrics
Long and Extra Long item surcharges may apply - see below.
Rush delivery methods are available. Please call me at 800-939-2843 for pricing and estimated delivery time frames..
95% of all orders ship out from Make-Roman-Shades.com the next business day. Since UPS doesn't pick up packages on the weekends, orders placed Friday afternoon through Sunday have to wait until Monday to ship.
Long and Extra Long package shipping:
Packages between 58 and 68 inches long will be charged a $9 UPS shipping/handling surcharge.
Packages 68 inches or longer will be charged a $14 UPS shipping/handling surcharge.
There are very few locations in the continental United States where packages can't be delivered in (at most) 4 business days. This means for planning purposes count on a calendar week between ordering and delivery. The closer you are to St. Louis, Missouri the faster it will arrive.
If your order is time sensitive please call me to make sure I can meet your deadline. 800-939-2843
Viewing And Printing Patterns
My Patterns Are Adobe Acrobat PDF Files.
My pattern previews and full custom patterns are computer generated Adobe Acrobat PDF files. You use Adobe Reader software to view and print them. Most modern personal computers are delivered with Adobe Reader software already installed. If you've been able to view the sample patterns on my home page, you're set.
If you don't have Adobe Reader or want to get the latest version you can get it here:
To print previews or full purchased patterns:
In the top left corner of Adobe Reader you'll find a small printer button. When you click it Adobe Reader will give you the opportunity to print the PDF file to your computer's printer.
The cord lock gets installed on the mounting board with the cord lock's SLANTED SIDE facing the outside of the mounting board or, put another way, away from the pulleys/eyehooks.
Thread the cords one at a time THROUGH THE WIRE SPACERS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LOCK FIRST and then up between the two "rollers" inside the lock.
The cords should exit the cord lock on the side of the cord lock facing the pulleys/eyehooks.
In the picture at left, notice the 5 cords are threaded between the wire spacers and move up into the interior of the lock, between the two "rollers" and exit the lock moving toward the left. In this case the pulleys/eyehooks are "off camera" to the left. Your pulleys may be to the right of the cordlock and should exit and move to the right.
Remember, thread the cords through the bottom spacers, then up between the rollers and then out the lock moving towards the pulley/eyehook side your mounting board.
Be sure to thread only one cord per spacer at the bottom of the cord lock.
Do not cross cords inside the cord lock.
Threading Hints:
Using tweezers will be helpful during the threading process.
It will also help to wrap a piece of tape on the end of each cord to form a point. This will keep the ends from fraying and make it easier to thread.
How To Measure Your Window For A Pattern
Make-Roman-Shades.com
There are two methods
for mounting a shade - inside and outside - and the measurements you supply for
your pattern should reflect the method you're planning
on using. If you're making a flat roman shade please read about rib spacing as well. It can impact accuracy and your DIY costs.
It’s best to use a metal tape
measure rather than a cloth tape. Cloth tapes can stretch and sag.
Take and record measurements to the nearest eighth of an inch (1/8") for creating your pattern.
Inside Mounting
Installing a shade inside your window opening results in the cleanest
look. If the window is framed, it will appear as if your shade is a piece
of art in a picture frame.
On inside mount, for finished width measure in three places (top,
bottom and across the middle) and use the narrowest width minus
¼ of an inch so your shade will operate properly
and not rub against your window frame as it is raised or lowered.
On inside mount, for finished length measure in three places
(each side and down the middle) and use the longest measurement.
Inside mounting requires a minimum window frame depth. To determine your window frame's depth measure at the top of the window from the window out
to the edge of the window frame. This is where your mounting board will
be installed. You
will need a minimum depth of 1½ inches for the board to fit. If
you don't have 1 ½ inch clearance consider outside mounting. If you have questions or doubts, call me!
Outside Mounting
Outside mount shades are installed on your molding
or drywall above the window itself. This adds additional finished length
and perhaps additional finished width to your shade and pattern's finished dimensions.
Outside mounts hang outside the window opening above and beyond the window
frame or window trim and, if you'd like, beyond the window's sill. We
recommend at least 2 inches of additional finished width beyond the window's frame on both the left and right side (for a total of 4 inches of additional finished width) and
2 inches of additional finished length for the bottom - don't skimp on these if you're wanting to use blackout fabric for maximum darkness in the room. The top is a special case...see below.
Planning For The Top Of An Outside Mount:
Please notice the mounting brackets and mounting
board at the top of the window in the picture
at left. Your shade's finished length will need to be AT LEAST 2¼ inches
longer than your window opening to accommodate for this mounting
hardware. Many customers forget this...DON'T FORGET IT ! If you have questions or doubts, call me!
About Flat Roman Shade Rib Spacing
Flat Roman Rib Spacing is the distance between a flat roman shade's ribs or, if making a non-ribbed flat roman, the distance between the horizontal rows of sew-on rings.
The location and number of ribs (or ring rows) define where, and how often, your shade will "fold" as you are raising it.
My patterns offer you the ability to start with either 8-inch, 10-inch or 12-inch rib spacing.
The resulting pattern, depicted in the picture below, may either add or subtract a rib in order to closely approximate (via averaging) the starting spacing size you choose. This results in all of the shade's "sections" being visually identical and prevents sun fading of your (perhaps expensive) decorator fabric in the very bottom panel when the shade is in a raised position.
What
rib spacing should you choose for your pattern?
Your Flat Roman rib spacing choice is ultimately a matter of your taste but it does have an impact on the quantity and cost of your shade goods. Why? For your specific shade length smaller rib spacing sizes will result in needing more ribs and shade tapes to complete the shade meaning more cost and labor. My recommendations try to balance visual appeal with cost considerations. Feel free to ignore my suggestions as your pattern will accurately reflect your choices and your shade will look and operate perfectly.
My recommendations are:
Shades 18 to 39 7/8 inches long should use 8-inch rib spacing.
Shades 40 - 59 7/8 inches long should use 10-inch rib spacing.
Shades 60 inches or longer should use 12-inch rib spacing.
About Balloon and Austrian Shade Scallops
There is a relationship
between the number of scallops on your Balloon or Austrian shade
and the number of pulleys or eyehooks your mounting board will require:
Two scallops = 2 pulleys and a three-cord cordlock or 3 eyehooks
and a cord cleat
Three scallops = 3 pulleys and a five-cord cordlock or 4 eyehooks
and a cord cleat
Four scallops = 4 pulleys and a five-cord cordlock or 5
eyehooks and a cord cleat
Balloon Shade Scallops
Two Scallops
Three Scallops
Four Scallops
Austrian Shade Scallops
Two Scallops
Three Scallops
Four Scallops
About Your Shade Construction Choices
Raising and Lowering Your Shade:
Choosing
Cord Locks, Pulleys, Cord Cleats, and Eyehooks
Flat Roman Shades:
Choosing To Use Tube Tape and Ribs or Sew-On Rings
Your Choice Has Consequences You Should Understand
Print A Free Preview Pattern. It's Easy.
They're ready to view and print in about 2 minutes.
Custom printable patterns cost only $2.99
del.icio.us
Information Home Page
My Patterns Are Adobe Acrobat PDF Files.
Thread the cords one at a time THROUGH THE WIRE SPACERS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LOCK FIRST and then up between the two "rollers" inside the lock.
The cords should exit the cord lock on the side of the cord lock facing the pulleys/eyehooks.
It’s best to use a metal tape
measure rather than a cloth tape. Cloth tapes can stretch and sag.
