Check this out – I sewed roman shades! I had one of those ‘I bet I could do that’ moments, and then after reading about it everywhere I could, I just jumped in and started sewing.
This isn’t a tutorial, but I’ll share with you the sources that I learned the most from, and a couple tips that I wish I had known before I started
I used lift cord that came enclosed in a tape that I purchased from Rowley company, mostly because there was a video that gave me a good idea of how to make it form even pleats. I also learned a lot from Vogue Sewing for the Home and the how-to guides found on the Rowley website, although I didn’t follow any of these sources exactly.
This fabric is by Premier Prints. We got it from Fabric.com.
I think the scariest part of making shades is cutting the fabric – because what if you mess up? So I had the friend who I was sewing these for cut the mounting boards in advance exactly to the window width. Then I cut the fabric about 4” wider than the board and used the board to mark where to fold my side hems. That helped me get the exact width that I needed.
I cut the fabric long enough for a generous 6” hem at the bottom, plus about 6” extra at the top so we could adjust each shade to the perfect length when we mounted them.
You can’t see it, but inside the hem (above) I sewed a pocket to hold a 1/2” dowel to weight the bottom of the shade down.
These are simple shades with screw eyes attached to the mounting board that the cords run through. Then the cords are wrapped around a simple figure-8 bracket high on the wall.
Lesson learned: some things you just have to jump in and make. No one gets good at sewing by buying everything at the store, lol!
ASo, what have you been sewing up this week? Did you make something with one of my free sewing tutorials or patterns? I would love to see! Tag me on Instagram @sewcanshe.
Sew an organizer covered with pockets that you can hang in your closet! This easy sewing project is great for organizing sewing and craft supplies, fashion accessories, bathroom necessities, gift wrappings, and more. There are pockets on both sides plus a big interior pocket so every bit of space is used. I’ll show you easy step by step instructions for sewing this organizer and putting it to use in your home. Get sew organized today.
Are you sewing a Closet Organizer with me? I hope so! This is Part 2 of our free sewing tutorial for an amazing organizer with a coat hanger inside so you can hang it anywhere.
If you are getting started, make sure you start at Part 1 of the free pattern.
Be a basketmaker! Sure, you can sew, but did you know that you can make amazing baskets too using your sewing machine, some fabric and the same materials that you use for your other projects?
Have you fallen in love with Quilt as You Go yet? It’s a fun technique for quilts, of course, but I’m having lots of fun using it for pouches and tote bags too.
I’m so excited to share with you the pattern for our first mini quilt of 2018… Flora! This beautiful little quilt was designed by the very talented Lauren of Molly & Mama…
At my daughter Chloe’s high school (can you believe my baby started high school???), the lunch lines are so long that she has been skipping lunch! She’s always starving by the time she gets home because she doesn’t want to carry a big lunch bag as well as her heavy backpack – poor girl!
Looking for free table runner patterns? I gathered up all my favorites in one place – here are free quilt patterns for table runners for fall, winter, spring and summer!
I am so in love with the beautiful look of simple patchwork quilts with lots of squares. This is the perfect way to use up fabric scraps like I did, or you can make a beautifully coordinated quilt with pre-cut 2 1/2’’ square fabric pieces that come in mini-charm packs.
I’m also in love with the process. If you feel like quilt making is your escape from the world and sitting down to sew for a few hours makes your troubles fade away… this is the quilt for you!
Sew an easy beautiful apron with this free sewing pattern that only uses one yard of fabric! Whether you are sewing for yourself or for a friend, an apron always comes in handy and makes a great gift. This blog post includes a link to a free template that I digitized for you.
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
Sew your own DIY Cosmetic Case with just a few sewing supplies including regular quilting cotton. My free sewing pattern is very easy and has step by step photos to make each part as clear as can be.
Happy New Year! Are you going to keep making classic blocks with us? This month my friend Becky (you might know her from the SewCanShe Sewcialites group) helped me pick an especially fun one. And its really easy! I used the delightful and colorful Equinox by Ana Davis for Blend Fabrics.
Learn to sew the easy 9-patch block! The nine-patch unit is found in many patchwork quilts. Some quilters repeat it many times with no other blocks, and some use it to accent other blocks. Many more complicated quilt blocks build…
I recently had someone leave a comment on this blog asking about my fabric storage – particularly the pieces of fabric that are wrapped around something stiff and stored upright. Well, Kay from the UK, this is for you!
I love this easy quilt block. It has clean and simple lines and a fun geometric pattern that makes it both classic and modern. Plus it’s perfect for fussy cutting.
4 Comments
Hi Caroline,
It looks like the link party time needs to be edited. We can’t access it yet 🙂
Love the chevrons on your roman blinds Caroline! Once I tried making them, I couldn’t stop – I’ve filled two houses with them now!! Thanks for hosting once again. Hope you have a lovely week!
Hi Caroline,
It looks like the link party time needs to be edited. We can’t access it yet 🙂
I think the linky is closed?
Great job on the shades! Looks doable! Thanks for hosting the linky party!
Love the chevrons on your roman blinds Caroline! Once I tried making them, I couldn’t stop – I’ve filled two houses with them now!! Thanks for hosting once again. Hope you have a lovely week!