7 Tips for Roman Shades to KNOW before you SEW!

[@jessitutt7069]

I watch KZbin videos for all kinds of reasons but have never subscribed. Most tutorials are either overly technical or require the watcher to make assumptions about steps taken. The pacing and clarity of your instructions, along with the comprehensive topic coverage is extremely helpful. I just subscribed to your channel though. I look forward to learning more from you. Thank you for your work!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Making and editing these videos (all by myself!) is a lot harder than people realize, and supportive comments like yours make it all worth it ❤️❤️❤️

[@Storymagic24]

Oh you are such a clear teacher! I can see you are a person who loves fabrics, which I am, too. I have called myself a "Fabric Freak" for those who don't share the passion. I am about to start my first folding blind for my very newly built flat. So many thanks, I am inspired and instructed!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Good luck with your project!

[@bunnidotcom]

You do wonderful tutorials. Not only are they well explained and move at a good pace and stick to the issue at hand, even more important (and less often seen) is getting a tutorial from a pro who understands the reasoning behind each step and the construction as a whole. I thank you for being so willing to share your knowledge.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Thank you for taking the time to write such a nice comment! This is what keeps me going and makes it all worthwhile :)

[@rickblankenship7016]

Awesome tips! Thank you,

[@ConkreteMan]

Thank you! Planning for my first 3 Roman shades and needed some guidance. Now I’m changing one fabric choice and refiguring all the bottom reveals. Thanks to your other videos I at least chose white lining.

[@veronikasmirnova4798]

Thank you! Your videos are very detailed and helpful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us

[@tracyvision]

Great information, thank you for posting these!

[@alexalessllc.7745]

Thank you!!! You just saved me from making some huge mistakes that would have definitely cost me a fortune. I am off to make a mock up - I should have known - for my two front living room windows. We bought a home that has a formal living room and dining room. We are going to use the living room as a gym and the dining room as a billiard room. I noticed you had a lining tutorial so before I go shopping I am off to watch that too! I watched your Roman shade tutorial and was so excited to see a more common sense approach to making them!! Thank you!!!!!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

I’m all about common sense! 😁

[@barbh6987]

You really give clear information here and your shades are beautiful. Thank you! I'll be watching because I will be making my first roman shade soon.

[@cherylrougeau3824]

Thank you for the video. Very helpful tips! I’m planning to make a Roman Shade soon.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Wonderful! Watch for my video on how to make and mount a Roman shade. Hope to make it soon :)

[@lindsayfear6982]

Thank you so much Nancy. Your videos are so helpful and have answered the many questions I had.

[@k.c.8422]

Great video!! I would highly recommend it. Important information to prevent costly mistakes.What is the correct distance to place rings on outside edges. Is 2 or 2.5 in correct? What do you reccomend? Tks.for what you do!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

My general rule is to have the outer rings sewn on the the side seams, so that’s roughly 1.5” in, but anywhere between 1”-2.5” works!!

[@bernadettepesce773]

Thank you.

[@nancyw5779]

Your tutorials are excellent. I’m about to make a Roman shade (I’ve procrastinated for quite a while). I plant to use a 1x2 board to mount above a window, as you did with the green shades in this and the other video. The board will be flat to the wall - trying to prevent any light from seeing around the edges (neighbors have very bright outdoor lights on all night). How much clearance do you recommend for the cord lock device between board and window trim? Your seems to project out over the door’s window trim. Not sure if you mentioned in other videos which cord size to choose. The window is 52”w and the shade will have 4 vertical ring rows. Thank you for your videos and your advice!

[@nancyw5779]

Also, love the idea of using spring tension rod part for bottom of shade. Do you recommend dowels or plastic rods for “pleats”, or should I skip those?

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

I can get my cord lock on the 3/4" side of the 1x2 board as shown in the video, and as long as it's mounted above the trim a couple of inches and the trim is small, you don't need any extra clearance! I would consider 5 rows of rings though unless you're using ribs or slats :)

[@nancyw5779]

@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Thank you for your advice. I’ll do 5 rows of rings instead. 💕

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

@@nancyw5779 You can skip the dowels if your ring spacing is correct!

[@nancyw5779]

@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare One more question - what cord size do you recommend?

[@marytablada5964]

How do you attach your curtain to the wall? Great video!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Thank you! I made a video called "How to measure for and install a Roman Shade" Check it out :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpamdXmghrRlg68

[@donnamayoh1196]

Hi Nancy, I’m looking into drapery options for a kitchen window that needs to be easy to take down to wash and rehang. Will the Roman shade be easy to wash and rehang? Do you have to cut the strings to wash the fabric in your washing machine and then restring for hanging?

[@donnamayoh1196]

I like the Velcro option. I guess you would use screws to fasten the header to the wall or door.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

This isn’t really a good choice if you are wanting to take it down regularly and wash it. A rod mounted roll up shade would be a much better option. Maybe I’ll do a video on that!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

@@donnamayoh1196 The very next video I’m going to make is how to measure for and install Roman shades, so keep an eye out for that one 🙂

[@wh9287]

Hi, wonderful tutorial. Quick question do flat Roman shades need an extra pleat when they reach window sills or just be flat like a sheet? Thanks

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

@@wh9287 That’s actually more of a personal preference thing than a wright or wrong thing. Whichever you prefer is “right” :)

[@mariannegarascia3730]

How do you know when you need rods for the horizontal rows?

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

You don't ever "need" rods if you use a stable fabric and correct ring spacing. The rods provide a different look (horizontal lines) and allow you to use less rings if you want, but otherwise are not necessary.

[@mariannegarascia3730]

Thank you, LOVE, your videos

[@LynnEsselstein]

Your tutorials are so valuable and helpful. I understand the rationale for making the hem longer, but I want to minimize the stack height. Is there a way to estimate the stack height to know the impact of adding the extra 2-3” hem? My shade is 58.5” - should I used 8” or 9-10” between the rows? Should I use a 8” or 10” double hem vs 12” as in your part I tutorial? Thank you.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

The extended hem only adds 1-2", depending on how long you allow it to extend beyond the folds - not enough to impact the stack size much at all. So, the hem is related to the folds. If you use 8" vertical spacing between rings, you'd have 4" folds. If you want your hem to extend 1" below the fold, you'd need a double 5" hem. If you want it to extend 2" below the fold, you'd need a double 6" hem. If you make bigger folds, you need a longer hem. Does that make sense? I think on a shade that size 8" ring spacing is good - if you go much bigger you won't have very many folds!

[@LynnEsselstein]

Thank you for your suggestion. Yes it makes sense.

[@superlamb6395]

Hi Nancy, thank you for these tips. I'm deep into researching and planning for my first roman shade project. Do you use lift rods for each row of rings? Some people do and some don't. Thanks!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Not sure what you mean exactly by a lift rod for each row of rings.. I just always do it just like I show here. Sorry I can’t give you a better answer :(

[@cathynuytten798]

I would like to see maybe 4 or 5 inches hanging down underneath my other folds. I like the way that looks. How would I accomplish that. You touched on that in your video, very well too, but it’s still fuzzy in my mind! Hope my question makes sense!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Are you talking about the bottom hem?

[@dianneunderwood8456]

You touched on my thoughts and concerns as I am undertaking roman shades for windows in my living room. I purchased a set of drapes to use for the fabric (close weave lined polyester) and have been making up my list of supplies (cord, rings, 1"x2" pieces, screw eye bolts, cord locks, etc.). My biggest stress is about how many vertical rows of rings -- I would like 3 (my overall width is 28" and length is about 40"). So if I had the first and third lines at 4" from the side edges and the second at center, it will be 10" from the side rings --am hopeful that may be enough support for the folds. I guess I will find out once I reach that point and hang them to see if other rows may need to be added to achieve the look (soft folds) I want. Thank you so much for this video - it has really helped to push me forward in my project and gain a clearer understanding of the process.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Hi there! So just a little feedback. If your fabric has a lot of body and stability you may be able to get away with 3 rows but I’d consider 4, and sewing your outer rings closer to the side hems. I’m concerned 4” is too far in for that first row. I usually sick to 1-1.5” in. If you do that your vertical ring spacing might be a bit too far apart with 3 rows. Good luck with your project!

[@kimberleydierdorf3865]

My windows don't have trim, just the dry wall, What is the best way to hang my shades to avoid a light gap? I have place a wainscoting trim that wraps around close 6 inches from the bottom of the window and is about 3/4 inch thick so I don't think an inside mount would work.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Hi Kimberly, I replied to your question on the other shade video comment thread :)

[@glendaw.6539]

I'm making a 60x78 roman using a lightweight linen with bleached muslin lining. The linen is 59" wide so I must add some on each side. Usually, I would seam about 10 inches in on both sides, but this will be an outside mount so 3 inches on each side will be over the molding and light won't be coming through. So, in light of that, I'm thinking of adding an inch or so on both sides rather than having a seam that will show in the window proper. My first vertical row of rings will go right next to the seam. Do you see any problem with that? Thank you!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

I do not see a problem with that, however when I'm in that situation I tend to play up the seam. I'll usually set the seam in 2" and use a different fabric to create a banding. That way it doesn't look like a "seam" at all, and the side hem doesn't overlap the seam to create more bulk. The other thing to keep in mind is that even though the seam will be in front of the moulding, unless it's laying right on the wood, ambient light may still allow you to see the seam shadow, so keep your projection as small as you can!

[@carolcarroll4141]

Ehat if your window is 59 inches wide. Do you need another row of rings in the middle. It is a camper window 58 wide and 19 inches long

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

I space my vertical rows 9-11 “ apart, so unless you opt to use ribs or dowels for support you’d need at least 6 vertical rows if you make a single shade for that window, and only 3 horizontal rows/2 folds. This particular window may be better with a roller shade as the length doesn’t allow for enough folds to look pretty but the with requires a lot of cords. Just something to consider!

[@gertrudetucker6405]

What's your name to research video?

[@ginarendel8175]

I’m finding these videos helpful. I have a breezeway that was closed in with windows and a door at each end. I want to gang three Roman blinds above two double hung windows and a full glass door in the middle. This would be repeated at the opposite end. A header board runs the length above. This is where I hope to install the blinds. Inside mount is not an option and stone is on ajacent walls. No wood trim around windows. The board above door and windows is 5 1/2” tall to the ceiling. Without making folds too small, how do I figure spacing in order to clear door swing? My finished length is 83” for door. The cut would be 97” to allow for the 12” fold at bottom. Windows are not as l tall, and aren’t as concerning. Is 5 1/2” enough room for stacking this much fabric? Having all three hanging at the same height is the objective, with the ability to pull all three treatments above glass. I don’t want to mount blind on door and loose the linear installation. I would appreciate your advice/expertise. Thank you-Gina.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

5.5” is pretty tight, but if your ring spacing is 6” and your hem only extends 1” below the folds instead if 2” you should be fine.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

But also keep in mind you’ll have 12 or 13 pleats on the long door shades… that’s a thick stack!

[@ginarendel8175]

Thank you for your reply. I hope full closure will aid in insulation. Is there benefit to mounting them from the ceiling? My fear is not getting them tight enough to the windows.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

@@ginarendel8175 The closest outside mount you can do is 3/4” (1x2) - you can’t ceiling mount it but you can butt it up to the ceiling

[@ginarendel8175]

Thank you for your help!

[@nancyhogan2347]

Please, please ,please ...for roman shades to be compliant for safety standards, VERTICAL spacing of rings should not be more than 8" apart for child safety to prevent a cord loop that could form and be a strangulation danger for children and/or pets too!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Thank you Nancy. You are right! I did put a disclaimer in the video description about safety. But your point is well taken. Perhaps I will edit my description to make that alert easier to see.