I Swore Never Again, Part 2

Okay, okay--So I know I complained about this sewing chore earlier this summer, because I've made roman shades before, and the project was a Huge headache.


But this time I have to confess that it wasn't that bad. I broke the project into several phases and gradually plugged away.


And when we hung them last weekend, I had to admit that they were worth the effort. Worth it in savings (I easily spent 50% less on these handmade shades than the store-bought variety). Worth it in impact (the blackout lining works like a charm). And worth it in design--they look great!


Wanna try? Here are two links for instructions on how to make your own shades:
Instructions from Martha Stewart
WikiHow-to for roman shades, including diagram

As for me, there is one more window in my house that could really use a shade. Maybe I won't wait for four more years to try again!

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I swore Never Again...

I swore I’d never do it again. The last time was such a headache. And since then I’ve kept true to my word. Until yesterday.

I’m talking about sewing roman shades.

Four years ago I sewed a set for the bay window in my kitchen. And I hated every minute of the project. And in the years since I’ve happily paid the outrageous prices to outfit a few more windows in my home with similar shades made conveniently by someone else in a factory. But when I decided this weekend that I’d had enough of the temperamental vinyl roller shades in my family room, I knew I wanted another set of roman shades to replace them.

So I dutifully went to the store, only to find out that the kind I like (and the only ones in town) were sold out in the size I needed, and being discontinued to boot, I had to pause. And then when I did the math, adding the price of two shades plus the blackout fabric that I would have to add to them, and discovered that I would pay 1/3 of that if I made them myself....well, the decision was made.

And so I’m embarking once again on the dreaded project. And to make things more challenging, I’m going to be sewing them on a vintage sewing machine purchased in the early 1970’s. Why? Because my machine decided to go on the fritz and is now spending some time out at the repair shop for bad behavior.

What, you ask, does this have to do with simple community entertainment? Absolutely nothing. But it’s summer and the rules are a little less stringent around here.

Wish me luck!