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From: jenny-o
Date: 08-31-2005, 12:43 PM (1 of 11)
| Hi all, I just made a roman shade with blackout backing. It turned out great except the rows of sewing for the channels shows the light through (not a big deal really) but I was wondering if I should have used a special size / type of needle for the blackout fabric. Thanks! Jen |
User: jenny-o
Member since: 08-28-2005 Total posts: 132 |
From: MaryW
Date: 08-31-2005, 01:26 PM (2 of 11)
Hi Jenny-o and welcome to Sew Whats New.  I never thought of the needle holes letting light in, maybe someone else can help. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: suesodyssey
Date: 09-01-2005, 10:45 AM (3 of 11)
|
Hi Jen, I will be starting on some Roman Shades around the end of October. What size needle did you use on the black out fabric? I am going to be making them for our RV. We have day/night shades now, but they don't do a good job of blocking out the heat during the summer. A friend has Roman Shades in her RV and they do a great job. I will check hers out to see how they did the needle holes. Her were professionally made, so maybe can get a tip. Sue |
User: suesodyssey
Member since: 03-29-2005 Total posts: 86 |
From: jenny-o
Date: 09-01-2005, 12:46 PM (4 of 11)
|
Hi Sue, I used a size 14 needle. Next time I will experiment with smaller needle size and longer stitches. I realized the holes would show through so I made sure not to make any mistakes! It is in my four year old's bedroom, she has had a beach towel hanging up in the window for three years (pathetic, I know) so I'm just thrilled to have it done. I thought it was going to take a lot longer than it really did. Let me know how yours turn out and your technique. Jen |
User: jenny-o
Member since: 08-28-2005 Total posts: 132 |
From: rivas1957
Date: 09-12-2005, 02:45 PM (5 of 11)
|
Hi all, I just made a roman shade with blackout backing. It turned out great except the rows of sewing for the channels shows the light through (not a big deal really) but I was wondering if I should have used a special size / type of needle for the blackout fabric. Thanks! Jen How do you make the roman shades? I have never made a shade before. Are they hard to do. Is there any instructions on how to make them and pictures to look <email address removed for privacy> |
User: rivas1957
Member since: 09-08-2004 Total posts: 6 |
From: mbar03
Date: 09-13-2005, 12:10 PM (6 of 11)
|
They're actually pretty easy to make. There's a great website where she walks you through everything. http://www.terrelldesigns.com/ Scroll down to Making a Classic Roman Shade. I've done a few following her design, and they come out great. You can also go to the library - they have a billion books on how to make them. Good luck! Michelle
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User: mbar03
Member since: 07-11-2005 Total posts: 15 |
From: suesodyssey
Date: 09-13-2005, 04:00 PM (7 of 11)
|
Michelle, Thanks for that web site. It looks very interesting and hopefully easy. Will probably order the hardware from there...I have looked around here and haven't seen what I needed. Sue |
User: suesodyssey
Member since: 03-29-2005 Total posts: 86 |
From: jenny-o
Date: 09-14-2005, 01:41 PM (8 of 11)
|
Michelle, that web site is great. It has instructions for making top down bottom up shades too which I would really love to do in my bedroom. I have a beautiful view of the mountains from the window and only need the bottom third for privacy. Thanks so much! Sue, if you don't want to buy all the hardware you can use screw eyes (like what are used on the back of picture frames to attach the wire) for the cords to run through and have a hook on the wall to wrap the cord around to hold it up. Also, I found that using my quilting rulers really helped in getting the channels and shade perfectly square (mind you, most windows are not exactly the same measurement top middle and bottom - be sure to measure lots and cut once!). Jen |
User: jenny-o
Member since: 08-28-2005 Total posts: 132 |
From: Martha
Date: 09-15-2005, 08:50 PM (9 of 11)
|
Hi Jen, That's a figment of blackout - having the needle holes show. You can use whiteout on the holes but covering all them on roman shades would be quite tedious. This is too late for you, but if you use a light interlining between the fabric and lining, it helps "hide" the holes. Using interlining, you could also use thermal suede lining instead of blackout or add for total blackout, use a black sateen next to the interlining and then use a regular lining on the back. They also make a newer style blackout, called Outblack, that is much softer and "seals" the holes as you sew. Martha www.mar-csinteriors.com Martha
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User: Martha
Member since: 12-30-2000 Total posts: 44 |
From: mommgsews
Date: 09-16-2005, 04:15 PM (10 of 11)
I made roman shades for my college age daughter's room and had the same dotted line of light at the seams. Therefore I was very curious when I saw this post. Since the blind is quite wide ... do you think they sell White-out by the gallon? 
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User: mommgsews
Member since: 03-15-2004 Total posts: 73 
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From: jenny-o
Date: 09-17-2005, 12:39 PM (11 of 11)
|
Thanks Martha for the info. I can't even imagine using white out! Wouldn't that make the shades difficult to dry clean? I don't think I'll do it on mine but if a customer wanted it, I guess I could try it. I would rather try the other backing fabric you mentioned Outblack, I'll ask at the store if they have it. I know they do have something different that is supposed to be machine washable but is a greyish colour and I would need white backing for it. Since I have loads of the other still, I may try folding the fabric and just sewing the channel in the back so just one seam shows infront. I didn't do that with the other fabric because it was a stripe and wouldn't have looked good. Rivas1957 - if you are still looking for simple instructions I could scan the free brochure I got at the fabric store and email it to you. Let me know. Jen |
User: jenny-o
Member since: 08-28-2005 Total posts: 132 |
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