MadQuilter

All those wonderful comments - thank you all so much.

One more silly question: Did you sew yours to fit INSIDE the window casing or OUTSIDE the window casing so it slides up and down the wall?

I would think that if it's inside the dimensions have to be right on, whereas outside gives a little room for a fudge factor.

Oh - and not kids in our house (I'm allergic - lol) But I did catch one of my cats getting tangled when he played with a pull string, so the same rules apply.

Sparky

I've made them a couple of times. The last time was about 3 years ago. I got my directions on line (free). I had made a quilt top for the window and then double backed it so the roman shade sewing lines did not go through the quilt. Soon I will be taking apart the roman shade and enlarging for a twin bed.
I sewed the rings on with the machine. Just be careful to measure accurately :!:
Plan the distance between folds, it let's you balance the appearance when pulled open.
I used hook and loop to attach the shade to a piece of wood attached to the wall which I also covered with fabric.
I used a thin nylon cord which was designed for roman shades. It is much better than fishing line like I used the first time around.

cbvirginia

There is a notion that makes the spacing and the rings on roman shades much much easier. There are spools of twill tape with the rings already perfectly spaced for sale by the yard at most fabric stores, especially the stores that have a home decorating department. My fabric shop sells curtain tie backs, curtain rods and these type of 'roman shade ring tapes' all together for the enterprising sew-it-yourself-er. If you can quilt, I'm sure you can make them.
Best of luck.
-C

Sparky

I did mine to fit outside the molding. I preferred the look as well as it would cover up anything that was not plumb.

MadQuilter

OK - I am now thoroughly confused:

The instructions say to use some sort of a stabilizer across the fabric at the fold line. Apparently dowels work well. My confusion is that I can sew a channel into the fabric to put the dowel in BUT how do I attach the loop tape? If I sew it on first, I will sew the channel shut. If I sew it on after, I need to sew over the dowels. Sometimes, I feel so dense.

quiltlady37

I made two for my kitchen. I thought they were pretty easy. I did use dowels at the fold line and they fold up nicely. I put two brackets on the side of my window. One is for the shade all the way up and the other one is mid way down and lets the shade catch the afternoon sun.The brackets are like for venetian shades and you wind the cord around it. I did line mine with a sun shield lining. Good luck. I know you will be able to do it.

Butterflyspain

I am thinking Martina that you will have to sew the rings on your backing material first then sew the two pieces of fabric together and sew you channels for the dowel rods- that should work fine

Elle

MadQuilter

I totally forgot about this thread. Results: I picked the version with the ring tape and Pat really likes his "pull-up curtain" Me - a little upset because the math came out wrong. It's a little smaller than I had expected but still usable. The shade does pull up one more rung but he likes it this way better. His room - his choice.

Butterflyspain

Looks good Martina, You have me wanting to make one now.

mzsooz

Made tons of them. My mom and I ran a drapery business for many years. They are not that difficult. The main thing is to be accurate with your measuring. I think they are fun to make. I actually have some on my list of things to accomplish soon.

Good luck!