Now string the Guide Cords. Run a cord through each ring in a column. Leave about 20-inches at the top. Do not run the cord through the Top-Down rings. Cut the cord several inches past the lowest ring (where you started stringing the cord) and then tie the end of the cord to that bottom ring using a square knot.
With the shade still upside down on your table, pull each knot firmly at the bottom of each lift line, trim the tail to about 1/2" and place a
small dab of glue on both the knot and the very end of the cord. Be sure to use a glue meant for fabrics, not a simple white craft glue such as Elmer's. Do the same with the knots tied on the Top-Down lift rings. Let the glue dry until it is clear.
Loosely knot all of the Guide cords together at the top of the shade. This will keep the cords from coming out of the lift rings when you hang it. Do the same with the Top-Down cords.
If you used non-decorator fabric, spray your shade with a fabric protectant, such as ScotchGard and let it dry thoroughly. (Almost all decorator fabric is already treated, but do check the bolt to be sure.)
Attach The Guide Cords to the Screw Eyes and Thread the Top-Down Cords. After a lot of thought, I have decided that the only way to mount this shade is to do it on a table or floor before attaching the mounting board to the window or wall. I don't currently have any photographs for a Top-Down Only shade, so you should ignore the second set of pulleys in the photographs below. These instructions also assume that you will have the Top-Down controls on the right-hand side of the shade. You don't have to do that, but if you reverse the cord location, it's up to you to reverse left and right in the instructions below. You ALWAYS have the Top-Down pulleys on the FRONT of the headrail and the Guide Screw Eyes on the BACK of the headrail.
A. Lay your shade upside down on a flat surface. Place the mounting board with the Velcro down at the top of the shade so that the bottom of the hardware is touching the top edge of the shade. The Top-Down pulleys will be away from you and should line up with the Top-Down lift rings.
B. Thread each Guide cord through the Guide Screw Eye directly above it. Repeat with every Guide cord. Make sure that everything is square and that you have taut lines, securely tie a square knot at each Guide Screw Eye. Don’t cut the extra cord yet, you may need to adjust this when the shade is hanging.
C. String the Top-Down lift cords by passing each cord through the pulleys and the small screw eye. All cords will go directly up through the pulley it lines up with on the headrail, entering the pulley from the right-hand side and exiting the left-hand side. Each cord is then threaded through the remaining pulleys on the headrail and finally through the small knot screw eye, exiting on the left-hand side of your board. Since your system is upside down, this will be the right-hand side when mounted at your window. Loosely knot all cords together about 10” outside of the Knot Screw Eye.
Mount the Top-Down Only shade at the window. Let your shade fall open. It is easier to mount if you lay it on a chair at the window, rather than on the floor. Don't let the Top-Down cords come out of the pulleys. Attach the Headrail to the wall or window trim so that the top of the board is at the top of the position for your entire shade system, including the Headrail. Attach a cord cleat on the right (not necessary if you are using a cord lock). If your shade is an outside mount, use a level to make sure that the board is installed on the horizontal.
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Complete the Top-Down Function. Firmly grasp all of the top-down lift cords, untie your temporary knot and lower the shade. Check that the top is level by stopping the shade just below the window trim. Readjust tension on the cords if necessary. Continue to lower the shade. It should fall in clean folds because of the Guide Cords. When it is in the lowest position that you want, carefully knot all the cords at the top of the shade, just outside of the small screw eye. Your knot has to be large enough so that it cannot pass back through the screw eye. |
Pull the shade up and down using the lift cord. It should fold cleanly and the top of the shade should be level. Finish off the cords by braiding the cords after the knot, then inserting the ends into a cord drop. The end of the braided cords should be as short as possible, it will get longer when you raise the shade. Extend your arm straight out toward the window and use that location to determine the position of the cord drop when the shade is lowered completely.
Now you need to make a Valance to cover the hardware at the top when your shade is lowered. Scroll up and click on Make a Valance in the left-hand navigation column.
