Make Decorator Shades
For a quick, clean designer look, replace draperies with these instant excitement shades, in any fabric you choose. Buy new shades or use the old rollers. Toots : tape measure, sharp scissors, large work surface, blanket and sheets, steam iron and press cloth, straight pins, pencil, yardstick, carpenters’ square or triangle, sewing machine, needle, staple gun. Materials: shade laminating cloth, fabric, fusible web and contrasting fabric if desired, shade roller, thread, wood slat, pull cord or ring, heavy-duty staples, fringe or other trim if desired. Time: about 2 hours.d
If you’re using the old shade roller, take the shade down, and carefully remove the slat from the shade and the shade from the roller. Make sure the roller works properly. If you’re buying a new shade roller far the window, measure the window exactly and buy a roller cut to fit. Buy a wood slat 1 inch shorter than the roller, and a shade ring or pull cord.
For the shade itself, buy a piece of shade laminating cloth-available where window shades are sold and at some fabric stores-at least 2 inches wider than the shade roller and 15 inches longer than the window. Use any fabric you like, cut to exactly the same size, to cover the laminating cloth; very heavy fabrics don’t work well because they interfere with the operation of the shade. If you’re using a plain fabric, you can also add appliqué figures or a fringe or other trim.
Choose a flat work space large enough to accommodate the entire size of the shade laminating cloth. Spread a heavy folded blanket over it and cover the blanket with a folded sheet, to protect the surface; you’ll use this prepared area as an ironing board. If the fabric is wrinkled, press it as necessary. Cut it to the exact size of the laminating cloth, or a little larger-make sure you place the pattern with the length of the cloth, so the design will fall properly on the finished shade.
If you’re using a plain fabric and you want to add appliqués to the shade, back the desired appliqués fabric with fusible web and pin the layers together. Cut out the shapes you want, being careful to match the fabric and the fusible web exactly; then remove the pins. Place the cutouts over the fusible web pieces on the fabric, as desired; baste them in place with the tip of a hot iron. Cover each cutout with a damp press cloth and fuse it in place with steam, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Let the fabric cool completely.
Lay the laminating cloth on the prepared surface, adhesive side up. Spread the fabric on top of it, right side up, with the raw edges of the fabric and the laminating cloth lined up. With a hot iron, baste the two layers together by touching the tip of the iron to them at several places. Recheck the alignment of the layers, and adjust the fabric as necessary. Then, following any instructions provided with the laminating cloth, fuse the layers together with a steam iron, starting at the middle and working out to the edges. Smooth wrinkles and air bubbles out to the edges so that the layers are evenly and completely bonded. Make sure fusing is complete over the entire shade. Let the shade dry on your work surface until it’s thoroughly cool and dry.
When the laminated shade is completely dry, measure the shade roller. On the shade, mark a trimming line on each side so that the shade width is ½ inch less than roller width. Use a yardstick to extend the marks the length of the shade, making sure the lines are perfectly straight and the width is maintained; check them with a carpenters’ square or a triangle. Gut off the marked edges with a sharp scissors. Check the straightness of the top and bottom edges, and trim them if necessary so that they’re exactly square.
Turn the bottom of the shade under 1 ½ inches, crease the laminated fabric to hold the hem, and stitch it across with a sewing machine. Insert a wood slat into the hem, 1 inch shorter than the roller. Close the ends of the hem with hand stitches. Attach the pull cord or ring to the center of the hem.
Fasten the top of the shade to the roller with a staple gun and heavy-duty staples. Make sure the roller is at a true right angle to the sides of the shade, or the shade won’t roll up properly. If desired, add a fringe or other trim over the slat. Roll the shade carefully and hang it up.
