Meet The Artist
Lectures/Workshops
  Schedule
  Fees

Make Roman Shades



Experience Counts!

Terrell has over fifteen years experience in designing and making unique Roman shades, lecturing and teaching. She is the nationally recognized expert for classic Roman shades and top down bottom up fabric shades.

We are your specialists for making Roman shades, buying Roman shade hardware and learning how to make Roman shades, whether Classic flat shades or top down bottom up shades.

1. Make the front of the shade(s) using the directions in my book "Pieced Roman Shades - Turn Your Favorite Quilt Patterns into Window Hangings".

2. E-mail me with the following information: 
    a. the finished size of shade(s). Be sure and specify which dimension is the width and which is the length. 
    b. the block size that you used.
    c. whether you want your shade to fold on the half-block or on the full-block.
    d. the number of rows and columns of blocks.
    e. whether or not you have already purchased the lining and/or hardware.

3. I will then e-mail you an estimated total charge. This charge is $8/square foot plus the cost of any required lining and/or hardware (you have to buy this anyway). If you prefer, you can me call at (303) 758-0188.

If you want to move forward once you have the cost, send the following items to Terrell Designs, 5325 Sanford Circle East, Englewood, CO 80113. Page numbers refer to the book "Pieced Roman Shades - Turn Your Favorite Quilt Patterns into Window Hangings". (You can order this book in our Store.)

1. Your telephone number and E-mail address.

2. How you want your shade(s) mounted (inside, outside or hybrid).

3. Window measurements. Click here for instructions on how to measure your window. Also, you can see pages 28-29 and use the appropriate directions. Note that for an outside mount I also need the depth of the window trim (usually about 1/2-inch) and the depth of the sill (usually about 3 to 4-inches), if you have one. You can send a hand-drawn sketch.

4. Pull cord position (on the left side or the right side of the shade). If there is more than one shade, give this information for each one.

5. Final finished dimension of the shade. You should have calculated this. I will be checking your calculation.

6. Optional: photo of window.

7. Completed front(s). This must be larger than the finished dimensions given in Item 5. Specifics as to how much wider and longer the front must be are given below.

8. Any remaining border fabric (just in case I have to widen the borders).

9. Any lining and/or hardware that you have already purchased. Additional required items will be itemized and charged to you.

10. Deposit of 50% of estimated total charge.

Dimensions of Pieced Front
It is assumed that you have made the pieced front using the directions beginning on page 73. You should complete up to, and including Step 3 (3a, 3b, 3c and 3d) on page 77. Do not trim the ends off of the top and bottom border.

The width must be at least 4-inches wider than the calculated finished dimension. Example: if your finished shade will be 36-inches wide, your pieced top must be at least 40-inches wide, raw-edge to raw-edge.

The length, after hemming the bottom border, must be at least 2-inches longer than the calculated dimension. Example: if your finished shade will be 60-inches long, your pieced front must be at least 62-inches long, raw top edge to finished bottom hem.

If you did not hem the bottom: the length must be at least 8-inches longer than the calculated finished dimension. Example: if your finished shade will be 60-inches long, your pieced front must be at least 68-inches long. Note that I will be using 6-inches of the bottom border to make the bottom hem.

If your have already trimmed your top (Step 4, pages 77-78), let's hope that you did it correctly. If you did, great. If you didn't then continue reading.

If your pieced front is smaller than noted above and I need to add more fabric, this will be done provided you include the fabric with the shade. Note that I will charge an additional $15/hour to add borders. You will be notified with a cost before I begin.

Checklist (print this out and enclose with pieced front(s)

Name: _______________________________

Address: ________________________________

                ________________________________

Telephone: ______________________________

E-Mail: _________________________________

Check one:  __ inside mount    __ outside mount   __ hybrid mount

__  drawing of window(s) enclosed with all required dimensions

Cord position:  __ right side    __ left side

Note: if I am making more than one shade, specify cord position for every shade.

Final dimensions of shade(s)

__ pieced front(s) are enclosed

__ extra border fabric is enclosed

__ purchased lining and/or hardware are enclosed (not required)

__ photo of window(s) is enclosed (not required)

__ check for 50% deposit, made payable to Terrell Designs, is enclosed

Mail all of the above to: Terrell Designs, 5325 Sanford Circle East, Englewood, CO 80113. I suggest that you insure your package.

Fabrication Service Example

Genece Hoskin of Castro Valley, California e-mailed me with a request to "rescue" her partially completed shades. She had completed the blocks and added the borders when the rest of life interfered. A home renovation was nearing completion and she had scheduled an open house, so she wanted her shades up. 

Her project arrived, with all of the extra fabric she had purchased. The borders were too narrow (she hadn't allowed any fabric for the hems and side seams). Also, the shades were not quite square. I removed the borders, squared up the tops and completed the shades. 

Genece had done her math correctly, so they folded up perfectly. She also did a wonderful job choosing fabrics. The grays perfectly matched the wallpaper border in her room.