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From: Emcatsgran
Date: 03-28-2006, 12:14 PM (1 of 16)
| I've just completed roman shades and they don't pleat evenly when I draw them up. Any hints would be much appreciated, thanks. |
User: Emcatsgran
Member since: 03-28-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: sew42much
Date: 03-28-2006, 12:36 PM (2 of 16)
|
If rows of rings on shade horizontally are spaced anywhere from 8-12" apart & vertically down the row of rings 6" about apart you are just fine. Now pull that shade up adjust the folds, slide your hand across to iron/crease them a bit & let that sit for a couple of hours to "train the folds" then pull shade up & down you will be ok. Report back if this does not work or if rows & spaces of rings are not in their correct position will be the reason it doesn't work. jean |
User: sew42much
Member since: 03-15-2006 Total posts: 19 |
From: shadylady
Date: 03-28-2006, 03:29 PM (3 of 16)
| Not 100% sure what you mean by not pleating evenly, but if you mean they're drawing up crooked, then you probably did not cut or sew them square. Romans need to be perfectly square or they will hang crooked. Also the rings need to be sewn on evenly across, or this could cause uneven pleats. |
User: shadylady
Member since: 09-19-2003 Total posts: 58 
|
From: Emcatsgran
Date: 03-29-2006, 10:16 AM (4 of 16)
| Thanks for the advice. I'm pretty sure they are square enough, but I did place the vertical rings 8 inches apart. Maybe I should re-do the rings at 6 inches. |
User: Emcatsgran
Member since: 03-28-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: shadylady
Date: 03-29-2006, 11:24 AM (5 of 16)
| Changing the distance of the rings won't make a difference. I generally place my rings 8" to 10" apart. You may want to remeasure and make sure they are all lined up evenly across. If one row is off, even just a little, it can make a difference. |
User: shadylady
Member since: 09-19-2003 Total posts: 58
|
From: Emcatsgran
Date: 03-29-2006, 12:21 PM (6 of 16)
| Thanks, Shadylady. Re-measuring and maybe adjusting a few rings will sure be a lot less nuisance than re-doing them all! Thanks again.....Pat |
User: Emcatsgran
Member since: 03-28-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-30-2006, 03:45 PM (7 of 16)
|
I think you can actually buy tape that already has the rings. It has been a while but I'm fairly certain that I bought it that way. The lighter weight the fabric, the better it will pleat.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: sew42much
Date: 03-30-2006, 08:35 PM (8 of 16)
Most interesting.......and I have found upholstery weight fabric folds up actually better than lighter weight fabric for flat fold roman shades that is, not for london shades tho'. Different strokes for different folks. Isn't it wonderful to be able to have both.  jean |
User: sew42much
Member since: 03-15-2006 Total posts: 19 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-30-2006, 08:40 PM (9 of 16)
|
That may be because of the texture and hand of the fabric.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: shadylady
Date: 03-31-2006, 11:47 AM (10 of 16)
|
I don't agree with the lighter weight fabric being better. Not that it can't work, but romans function better with weight and body. I like to use either blackout or thermal lining, or interlining with regular lining, plus a weight bar, to add weight and body. I think this is a case of something not being aligned correctly. |
User: shadylady
Member since: 09-19-2003 Total posts: 58
|
From: Shellymoon
Date: 04-04-2006, 10:03 PM (11 of 16)
|
After I sewed what seemed like 1000 rings on the back of my Roman shades, I found out you could by the rings on tape that could be sewn directly on the back of the shade. Grr. You can buy it from the homesew catalog if anyone is interested. Too late for me! I think that would have made my shades draw up better. I put a rod in the bottom of my shade and fix the pleats by hand when I pull them up. It holds until a teenager or a feline pulls them down. Grr again. Shelly Moon
|
User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-05-2006, 05:55 AM (12 of 16)
|
That's why I posted about the tape earlier. I hate to hand sew. I am sure I bought mine at Hancocks, possibly Joanne's.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Shellymoon
Date: 04-06-2006, 10:23 PM (13 of 16)
|
Oops Paroper....I guess I thought good advice was worth sharing more than once!
Shelly Moon
|
User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-06-2006, 10:26 PM (14 of 16)
|
No problem, just wanted to save you some big trouble. Like I said, I just hate to hand sew. One hint though. I sew a lot of things on with my button (sewing) foot. You could probably have used that. I've used it for loops on bow ties and sewing hooks and eyes too.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Shellymoon
Date: 04-08-2006, 11:59 PM (15 of 16)
|
I need to learn to use my button foot. I've got foot phobia I guess. I sewed my rings on while I was watching TV. My way of thinking is hand sewing is better than no sewing, which is how much sewing I get done these days! Shelly Moon
|
User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: sew42much
Date: 04-14-2006, 10:34 AM (16 of 16)
|
You can even zig zag those little rings on instead of hand sewing. I don't like the tapes cuz I like a more professional look. That is just me, my opinion. The main ones are the bottom rings to tack securely, the rest of them are just guides to some degree. The bottom one holds the weight bar. jean |
User: sew42much
Member since: 03-15-2006 Total posts: 19 |
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