CORD LOCK TUTORIAL: How to choose, string, and install a cord lock for Roman shades and blinds

[@gardeninsite]

Your tutorials and explanations are always so clear! Thank you for that. I’ve watched multiple videos from others explaining the same topics, yet yours always clarify what others do not.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Thank you 😊

[@desertrose6736]

Thank you! This was exactly what I needed to know to finish my blinds this week

[@evilbran]

Thanks so much for your videos! I've never made blinds before and was a bit nervous about starting the project sight unseen. Then I found your channel and am feeling prepared and excited to get sewing! I hope you keep posting videos (and being my remote mentor) for diy of all kinds. Cheers!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Lots more videos coming soon!

[@dianemcginnis6163]

I've always wanted to try this shade technique .. just found your channel. From Milwaukee Wisconsin USA.

[@Sinjjjjj]

TENGO ESOS ARITOS BLANCOS QUE ME REGALARON EN UN MONTÓN DE COSAS DE COSTURA Y NO SABÍA EN QUE UTILIZARLOS. AHORA YA SE❤

[@dianneunderwood8456]

Wanted to let you know I completed my roman shades using a cord lock system. Everything works well thanks in large part to your instructional videos. Have a quick question regarding the wood toggle end caps for the cords. Wasn't sure how they were to be attached, but I first tied a knot using all three cords. Next I fed one of the 3 cord ends into the larger hole down through the smaller hole of the wood end cap. I pulled the knot into the hole with the single strand , then once that felt secured,, I worked on tying a knot to keep it from being pulled back through the hole. Do you have a preferred method you think would be better to use? Thank you for any tips you may offer!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Congrats on your shades! So I knot the cords below the lock, then braid them. Then they all go through the smaller hole, through the cord tassel and out through the large hole. Tie a big double or triple knot, trim off the ends, and pull the knot up inside the tassel.

[@dianneunderwood8456]

yes your method makes better sense as my knob end looks upside down- love the braiding idea. However my cords are too thick (3 of 1.8mm cords) to fit all through the small hole. Wondering if I should widen the smaller hole??. Don't want to ruin the knob but I am not as pleased with the upside down knob. Thanks@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

@@dianneunderwood8456 Well I have been known to drill the hole a little bigger from time to time...and use a little glue to condense and sharpen the cut ends of the cords 😉

[@frankjanvari737]

hello you have such beautiful fantastic videos please kindly film how to use different sewing machine foots or feet such as a zipper foot rolled heam foot cording foot and maybe a Teflon foot, and did you ever consider buying a spring foot holder so you don't have to use a screwdriver screwdriver to change the foot on your sewing machine??

[@donnaann9342]

Love your tutorials. Can you suggest a brand for the lift cord lock mechanism please? Not sure if it matters or not. I've looked on Amazon but many don't specify the thickness of cord I would need.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Good ones have become nearly impossible to find, and are way overpriced because of it, but Sailrite has a good one.

[@David-fx2od]

Great tutorial!

[@soniagonzales9144]

Great videos!❤❤❤

[@vickiefiedler4481]

I had a 5 cord lock that had to be put on with the closed staple side on the inside, opposite of what you had stated. It had to be put on with the straight side on the inside.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Interesting. I have never seen one like that!

[@gailverbano8381]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! Thank you so much! Question: Can I use more than one cord lock an a really long blind? I have 7 cords on my 8 foot long shade.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Thank you! I've never tried it, but I don't think using 2 cord locks would work. There used to be cord locks that could take a lot of cords - like 9 or 10 small diameter cords - but I can't find them anymore! The best options are 1) to make pockets for slats or dowels to reduce the number of cords, 2) make 2 shades, or 3) don't use a tension lock, just a cord condenser and a wall cleat. Hope you find a solution!

[@gailverbano8381]

Thanks for the reply. I'll just skip the pulley. It will still work - just won't be quite as nice.

[@amanneful]

Hi Nancy! I'm having to restring my shades with 1.4mm cord replacing the 1.8mm cord that wasn't working in my cord lock mechanisms even though the specs said it would. I think the 1.8mm cords are just too beefy, too thick, too stiff to catch in the brass rollers. It's been easy (and even fun) to do this, but I have a specific question about the way one of the cords comes down from a different side than the other three. I came back to your video to make sure that this is how you do it but I wonder if the brass mechanism in the lock could get "confused" by one cord pulling from a different direction. I'm overthinking it, right? Thanks Nancy!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Replied via email :)

[@khmay7803]

Hello i had someone make me Roman shads but he didn’t do the hardware for the shads. Can you please make a video from start t o finish how to thread the strings and how to mount it. Thank you.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Hi there, I already did make these videos! Check out the Roman shade playlist. There are 3 videos you may find helpful. Basic Roman shade Part 1, Basic Roman shade part 2, and the Cord Lock tutorial. Hope this helps!

[@kathyazzari839]

I installed my cord lock and strung it described, but it doesn't lock my cords at all. I just rewatched your video and a few others and it doesn't appear I did anything different.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

I have seen this with some cord locks purchased on Amazon. Had a viewer actually both live chat with me and then send me the actual lock, and it simply didn’t work and was of poor quality. If you’re doing what my video and others are showing it has to be a bad lock I’m afraid.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

They are more expensive but I’ve never had a problem with the locks from Rowley Company.

[@kathyazzari839]

@ASquarePillowIsntSquare okay, yeah mine are from Amazon. I didn't read reviews but maybe should have. I don't mind the cost given what I saved making my own shade. I'll look up Rowley. Thank you so much!

[@daathkat]

Thanks 😇