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Facing the Hem of Your Shade
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I often get asked why I recommend a double 3-inch hem at the bottom of a Roman shade. Some of you want to purchase as little fabric as possible. I've tried skimping on the hem and I've always been unhappy when the shade is complete. It just doesn't hang well. You need the deep hem and a heavy hem, which is why I make two complete 3-inch folds. There are times when I absolutely don't have enough fabric. Perhaps I cut the front panel too short, or there was not enough fabric on the bolt. I fix this problem by facing the hem of the shade. What this means is that I cut a strip of another fabric that resembles the front fabric and sew it onto the bottom of the shade. Then I use that facing fabric for the hem. Don't try to add fabric at the top of the shade. There is already too much bulk at the top with the Velcro to add still another seam.
Read the detailed instructions on how to face the hem of your shade to save on fabric.
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The standard instructions (and Hardware Calculator) tell you to cut your front decorative fabric 8-inches longer than the Finished Shade Length. This allows 6-inches for the hem (a double 3-inch one) and 2-inches at the top to turn over to the back and for "slop". If you face the hem, you can save 5-1/2" of fabric. That may not seem like much until you make a very wide shade, or four shades for your living room. Then the yardage can add up.
The drawings illustrate the steps you take to face your hem with another fabric. Cut the decorative fabric top 2.5-inches longer than the Finished Length of your shade (or 3.5-inches longer if you are making a Top-Down shade). Cut the facing fabric the same width and 6-inches long. Using a 1/4-inch seam, join the two fabrics. Press the seam towards the facing fabric. Make your double 3-inch hem by folding 6-inches above the bottom of the joined fabrics, opening up that fold and folding the bottom in so that you have two 3-inch folds. The seam joining the two fabrics will be on the back of the shade, 1/4-inch above the finished bottom of the shade. Hem the panel by stitching through all fabrics near the top of the hem.
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