Attach the mounting board at the window using screws that go directly through the mounting board into the wall or window trim. If desired, you can use angle irons. Use a level to make sure that the mounting board is installed on the horizontal. 

(The above drawings show the use of either a screw eye or a pulley for directing the lift cords. You can use either a pulley or a screw eye for either installation. For a discussion on the superiority of pulleys, click here.)

  Thread the lift cord through the pulleys. Using the hook and loop fastener, loosely attach one side of the shade (start with the side where the cords will be exiting the shade). Thread each lift cord straight up each column of lift rings on the back of the shade and through the pulley or screw eye directly above it. If the cords will be exiting the shade on the right, then thread the cord though the pulley from left to right. Continue to pass the cord through all of the remaining pulleys or screw eyes on the mounting board and out the side. Repeat with all lift cords, "hanging" the shade on the other side of the mounting board using the Velcro fastener. Loosely knot all cords just outside the last pulley. Carefully attach the shade in place. It is easiest to start at the center, then gently stretch the shade as you move towards the edges of the board. Make sure that the mounting board is fully covered and that the top (and bottom) of the shade  is even. Untie the knot, gently pull all cords taunt and carefully tie a knot near the top of the shade. Lift and lower the shade to make sure that it is retracting evenly. Finish off the pull cord by braiding the cord. When there is still two to three inches of cord left, insert the cords into a cord drop. Move the cord drop up to the desired location and tie a knot. Pull cord drop over knot, cut excess cord off so that the ends are inside the cord drop housing.  For information on threading a cord drop, click here.

Use a cord cleat to wrap the cords around (in figure-8) when the shade is up. When the shade is raised there will be a loop above the knot to the top of the shade. There have been instances of small children inserting their heads through these loops and strangling. If you have small children, place the cleat as high as possible on the wall and loop the loose cord up over the cleat. Or you can tuck the cord into a fold in the shade to keep it out of the way. When the shade is lowered, there is no loop.

If you use a cord lock, you will not need a cleat. However, you should think about what you will do with the lengthened cord if you have small children. You may want to put a cup hook near the top of the shade to drape the cord over.

This concludes the Common Techniques Sections. You will be referring back to these instructions when you make your shade. Put all of this information together:

Continue the Learning Process with "Make Classic Roman Shade"

Continue the Learning Process with "Make Top-Down/Bottom-Up Shade"

Continue the Learning Process with "Make Top-Down Only Shade"

A Comment on Copyright
These directions are meant for you to print out and make your own shades. My intention in posting them here for anyone to see and use is two-fold:

	I no longer have to answer the same questions over and over again.
	I am hoping that when you make your shades, you will order some or all of the hardware and supplies from me.

There is, of course, no way that I can guarantee that you purchase anything from me. However, there is one thing you should NOT do. That is, modify and claim these directions as your own. 

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

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