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Help with Roman Shades???
I'm about to embark on the Roman Shade making project and want to make
sure I do this right. I've accesses a few sites with detailed instructions and I still have questions: 1) What is the diff btwn using Velcro or other metal fastener? Velcro seems like a good idea (I'm thinking easy to remove blinds to wash them???) But is it strong enough for wide shades? 2) My shades will either be a one piece (96") or broken into two pieces (32" and 64") - any suggestions? recommendations? 3) What is the batten? As opposed to a valance? 4) Can I make this without a sewing machine? And still have quality results? That's all I can think of right now...I appreciate any feedback...Thanks! |
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The current (January) issue of Sew News has a good article on Roman shades.
wrote in message ups.com... I'm about to embark on the Roman Shade making project and want to make sure I do this right. I've accesses a few sites with detailed instructions and I still have questions: 1) What is the diff btwn using Velcro or other metal fastener? Velcro seems like a good idea (I'm thinking easy to remove blinds to wash them???) But is it strong enough for wide shades? 2) My shades will either be a one piece (96") or broken into two pieces (32" and 64") - any suggestions? recommendations? 3) What is the batten? As opposed to a valance? 4) Can I make this without a sewing machine? And still have quality results? That's all I can think of right now...I appreciate any feedback...Thanks! |
"Kate Dicey" wrote in message ... Debra wrote: snip Do not hang a roman shade with velcro unless you really want it to fall down. True... But it took mine about 16 years before it fell! This works fine for light weigh ones. snip All of the ones that I made using Velcro are still hanging (10 plus years). Lack of grip is usually due to lint, etc. in the hooks and that can usually be combed right out. Cynthia |
Cynthia Spilsted wrote:
"Kate Dicey" wrote in message ... Debra wrote: snip Do not hang a roman shade with velcro unless you really want it to fall down. True... But it took mine about 16 years before it fell! This works fine for light weigh ones. snip All of the ones that I made using Velcro are still hanging (10 plus years). Lack of grip is usually due to lint, etc. in the hooks and that can usually be combed right out. Cynthia In the end it wasn't the Velcro itself that failed, it was the sticky back glue. The bit above the fanlight, which is open all summer, lost its adhesive qualities. As, by then, the fabric was rotting into holes, I took it down and put curtains up. I was bored with replacing the cords every year or so when they wore through and broke. Roman blinds look good but are a pain in the bum! I'd only use them again if there was no alternative. -- Kate XXXXXX Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk Click on Kate's Pages and explore! |
On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 08:24:48 +0000, Kate Dicey
wrote: Cynthia Spilsted wrote: "Kate Dicey" wrote in message ... Debra wrote: snip Do not hang a roman shade with velcro unless you really want it to fall down. True... But it took mine about 16 years before it fell! This works fine for light weigh ones. snip All of the ones that I made using Velcro are still hanging (10 plus years). Lack of grip is usually due to lint, etc. in the hooks and that can usually be combed right out. Cynthia In the end it wasn't the Velcro itself that failed, it was the sticky back glue. The bit above the fanlight, which is open all summer, lost its adhesive qualities. As, by then, the fabric was rotting into holes, I took it down and put curtains up. I was bored with replacing the cords every year or so when they wore through and broke. Roman blinds look good but are a pain in the bum! I'd only use them again if there was no alternative. I just can't see an extra wide one staying up. The original poster is talking about at least 64 inches wide and preferably 96 inches wide. Add the weight of a quality decorating fabric and your average no sew velcro is just not likely to hold up. I've never had good luck with the sticky back velcro. Debra in VA |
The adhesive velcro is junk. You can't even sew it later without making a
mess of the needle and breaking thread. It's better to use something like glu-pins and regular velcro so once it's ste a bit you can sew it down. "Debra" wrote in message ... On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 08:24:48 +0000, Kate Dicey wrote: Cynthia Spilsted wrote: "Kate Dicey" wrote in message ... Debra wrote: snip Do not hang a roman shade with velcro unless you really want it to fall down. True... But it took mine about 16 years before it fell! This works fine for light weigh ones. snip All of the ones that I made using Velcro are still hanging (10 plus years). Lack of grip is usually due to lint, etc. in the hooks and that can usually be combed right out. Cynthia In the end it wasn't the Velcro itself that failed, it was the sticky back glue. The bit above the fanlight, which is open all summer, lost its adhesive qualities. As, by then, the fabric was rotting into holes, I took it down and put curtains up. I was bored with replacing the cords every year or so when they wore through and broke. Roman blinds look good but are a pain in the bum! I'd only use them again if there was no alternative. I just can't see an extra wide one staying up. The original poster is talking about at least 64 inches wide and preferably 96 inches wide. Add the weight of a quality decorating fabric and your average no sew velcro is just not likely to hold up. I've never had good luck with the sticky back velcro. Debra in VA |
Mike Behrent wrote:
The adhesive velcro is junk. You can't even sew it later without making a mess of the needle and breaking thread. It's better to use something like glu-pins and regular velcro so once it's ste a bit you can sew it down. "Debra" wrote in message ... I've never found it to be junk, but then I've only ever used the real stuff rather than cheap imitations. It works very well for suitable applications. It comes in several types: sew-in both sides, sew in fuzzy/stick-on hooks and the reverse, and sticky both sides. You need to ensure that the surface to be stuck is really clean and grease free. You also need to press it down really well on the receiving surface. And it doesn't stick well in damp conditions. I think mine staying put for 14+ years is fairly reasonable. It wasn't the Velcro that made me change my mind about Roman blinds, it was the cords wearing out every year or so. -- Kate XXXXXX Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk Click on Kate's Pages and explore! |
Debra wrote:
I just can't see an extra wide one staying up. The original poster is talking about at least 64 inches wide and preferably 96 inches wide. Add the weight of a quality decorating fabric and your average no sew velcro is just not likely to hold up. I've never had good luck with the sticky back velcro. Debra in VA Mine was less than 50" wide and about 40" long and made of light weight glazed cotton with a similar weight lining on the back. There were no poles across it, just a 1" wide wooden batten in the hem. All things considered, I think 14-16 years wear wasn't bad for the sticky back Velcro. I used a similar technique for the valances on the 4 poster bed on my web site. Of course there there would be no stress on the valances: they might be taken off every couple of years for dry cleaning, -- Kate XXXXXX Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk Click on Kate's Pages and explore! |
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