By the way, those shades were 95.5" wide and 66" long and were the first time she had made Romans!

If you still want to sew pockets for your battens, read my directions below. Realize that you will have two rows of stitching at each fold line.

Batten Pockets
You can easily sew pockets in your shade for battens. After the top is completed (including adding the Velcro at the top), carefully mark your fold lines on the shade. (Your shade is turned right side out.) You can mark on the front fabric side, or on the back lining side, whichever you feel will be less noticeable. I just use straight pins, then I don't have to worry about leaving marks. If you are using the 3/16" diameter battens that I recommend, stitch through both layers (front and lining) 1/4" away from both sides of the fold "line". This will make a 1/2" pocket for each fold. Be sure to backstitch at both ends of the stitch lines.

This technique is NOT recommended if you are using Blackout lining. You will see two bright parallel lines of needle holes where the light isn't blocked. If you really want to sew pockets, you can cover up the stitch holes by gluing a narrow strip of Blackout lining over the horizontal stitch-lines after you are done. Why don't you just try gluing the battens on the inside of your shade?

Using a seam ripper or sharp pair of scissors, make a small slit at one end in each lining pocket on the back of the shade. Slide a batten into each pocket. If you wish, you can whip stitch the opening closed. I don't bother, they don't seem to come out. When you sew on your lift rings, push the battens up to the top of the pocket. You will be sewing around the battens, securing them (and the lift rings) to both layers of the shade.

I used to make my shades this way (with pockets) before I figured out how to glue the battens into the inside of the shade. Remember, I usually make pieced shades, so I was changing the thread color every few inches, and it was not pleasant to be in the same room with me when I was doing this! I did not like the effect of the horizontal stitching lines either. So I do urge you to use the glue method. If you are worried about seeing the glue from the front of the shade take a short piece of batten (you can get a free sample from us) and glue it to the back of a test piece of fabric. Be sure to use a small dot of glue and let dry for at least 4 hours.

Gluing Battens to the Lining (instead of the Front Fabric)
You can glue the battens to the lining. Just be careful, you can't remove them without damage (assuming you are using Thermalsuede or Blackout lining). Use the technique described in the photographs on the Gluing Battens page. Be sure to take into account that the bottom edge of your lining is about 1/2" shorter than your front lining.

Continue the Learning Process with "Sew Lift Rings"

Back to  "Gluing Battens" 

Contact Information:
Terrell Designs, owned by Terrell Sundermann 
5325 Sanford Cir. E. Englewood, Colorado 80113
Phone: (303) 758-0188  Email: