The simple yet elegant Roman shade is a favored window treatment in many countries and in many styles of house. It is easy to construct and can be as decorative or plain as you wish. The Roman shade is made up of several parts: the cloth panel, the lift cord, the drop cord, the lifting mechanism and the head rail. In its simplest terms, here’s how a Roman shade works: The lift cord is fastened to the bottommost ring in each column of rings then threaded through the balance of the rings, through the same side-pulley, across the mounting board and out one side of the shade. The shade is lifted by pulling on the lift cord.
The lifting mechanism may be as simple as a screw eye, a pulley, a cord lock pulley or a continuous or clutch system. The fabric of choice is 100% cotton and a lining should be used for sheer or lightweight fabrics. Upholstery weight fabrics don’t do well as Roman shades.
Measure and Design: The shades may be mounted inside window frame, outside the window frame or as a hybrid. The mounting board can be placed either flat or projected for each of the above mountings. Measure the length, width and depth of the window, allowing for hems and seams. Determine the amount of stackage desired. Stackage is the width of the folded panels of the shade when the shade is in the open position. Plan the number of folds, which will appear in the finished product. This will determine the number of screw eyes required for the lift lines.
Tools: Two groups of tools are needed: Fabric measuring and cutting tools -- a cutting mat, an aluminum rules, a quilter’s ruler, a steel tape measure, marking pins, a seam ripper, a rotary cutter, fabric shears and a carpenter’s square.
Mounting board-manufacturing tools – A screwdriver, a hacksaw, an ice pick, a hammer, wire cutters, a C-clamp, a staple gun, a metal file and a hand saw.
Manufacture: Cut fabric panels for the shade and the lining. Hem the bottom of the two together. Sew side seams of the fabric and the lining together so the panel is finished along both sides and the hem edge. The panel is like a pillowcase at this point. Glue the battens—wood or plastic strips to stiffen the panel—in place at each planned fold line on the inside (hidden) of the panel. Mark and sew lift rings in place at every-other batten. Attach the head rail to the shade using Velcro. Thread the lift cord from the bottom-most lift ring up through all the rings, across the top of the head rail and then down beside (not through) the lift rings on the opposite side. Cut and install the weight rod along the bottom of the panel.
Mounting: Place the mounting board in position on the wall, using screws. Thread all cords in place. Make sure the cords pull correctly, lifting the entire panel smoothly. Loosely braid the lift cords together and finish with a knot in below the cord.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julian_Bates
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