Easy Tutorial for Beginner Sewist- Relaxed Roman Shade

Readers,

Sewing home decor is by far the most economical way to beautify your home.  Purchasing custom shades, blinds and panels is very costly.  I am going to demonstrate just how easy it is to sew custom shades on a very small budget.  Pictured above is a simple roman shade, non-functioning (or seldom used) since we have blinds already, but I will link up a site that sells the hardware for a fully functioning roman shades.

Supplies Needed:  1X3 soft plywood
                              Sew-On Velcro
                              Roman shade tape with rings
                              L-Brackets
                              Screw eyes
                              Lining and Fabric

 Step 1

Based on my size window width 37" I added 4"of fabric to both sides.  Since my fabric treatment is non-functional I only purchased 13/4yds of fabric.
I pressed half an inch on both lengths on the treatment for a neat and professional double-folded hem followed by a inch press.

double-folded hem

Step 2
On the top portion of your treatment fold down by pressing the raw edge and sew the soft side of the velcro over the raw edges. Ironing is very important to achieve a clean and professional treatment.

Step 3
Double fold a 2" hem at the bottom edge of your treatment.

Step 4

Add the roman shade ring tape 2" from the edge of your treatment, hand sewing only the plastic rings to the fabric (both the lining and the pretty fabric)

Step 5

Attached the cord to the bottom ring and feed through the plastic rings.  The cord length will be much longer on one side than the other since we will be feeding the cord through the screw eyes  to one side of the roman shade.

Step 6

My apologies for these terrible pictures.. I was shooting at picture at night time with a flash on!

Wrap your plywood piece (cut to size depending on your finished width of fabric treatment) with lining or right-side facing fabric, attaching fabric to wood with a staple gun.  Insert screw eyes 2" from the edge on both sides of plywood.

Step 7
Staple the rough side of the velcro to the edge of the piece, screwing L-brackets on the bottom edge of "valance"  Finished product looks like this...

Step 8
Screw the L-brackets to the wall... Mount at least 5" above the height of the window. Attached your treatment by velcro and feed the cord through the screw eye on both sides.  Now your cord should be on one side only.  Pull up your roman shade and adjust the folds by hand.  I fastens the cords to one of the screw eyes, since my shade is for aesthetic purposes only.  If you wish to have a functional fabric roman shade then I recommend these cord locks instead of screw eyes.

Step 9
Cut a dowel rod to the same width as the shade and insert through the opening made by the hem at the bottom of the shade.

Happy sewing and creating your own custom shades on a budget.

                                                            Sarah

Tutorial for a Pillow with a Mitered Corner Ribbon

Hi Friends,

Sorry for the delay in writing  and posting.  I have been rather busy with my girls lately, preparing them for the  athletic and academic year.  I haven't been sewing much, mostly painting and fixing odds and ends around the house.
While ruminating on the guest bedroom and thoughts on paint color and furniture placement I noticed a pillow cover I had completed several years ago now on the bed that just seemed tired and out of place so I promtly viisted the fabric store in town.  I have a huge affinity toward blue and white lately, partly due to Mark Sikes and his tremendously popular instagram feed featuring his amazing work and inspiration.
This fabric, pictured below,  was a clearance item and I think will work beautifully with the guest bedroom when it is complete.  I also took this opportunity to curate a tutorial on the a simple pillow cover with a mitered corner.  I hope it is simple to copy and the instructions easy to follow.

The Supplies:

Tape Measure

Ribbon

Down pillow insert

Pins

Scissors

Zipper

Step 1

Cut fabric to size.  My pillow measured 21X21 so I cut two sides equally 20X20.

Pin the raw edge of the zipper to the right side raw edge of fabric.  I also added an additional piece(optional) to hide the zipper once the pillow is complete.  

Zipper Placement

Step 2

Pin other side of zipper to other piece of fabric (backside of pillow)

Now sew the zipper in place on both sides of the zipper.

Step 3
 Add ribbon of choice.  Initially pin in place and miter the corners as shown.  I added the ribbon 2 inches from the edge.
                

Mitred Corner

Step 4

Sew the ribbon in place.  This step is time consuming since I tend to creep along with the sewing needle.  The ribbon tends to shift so be careful and take your time.

Sew the edges of the pillow in place.  I should have zig- zagged the edges to prevent fraying.  I would recommend you always zig- zag the edges before beginning a project.

Edges sewed together and the back-side of the pillow with ribbon stitching shown. 

Step 5
Completed pillow with ribbon attached.  Press all the corners thoroughly and remove all creases and wrinkles.

Mitered Corner Pillow

A special thanks for reading the blog and hope you find inspiration for your home.
Warmly,
Sarah☺