Roman Shades

This post has been 2 months or more coming. I have been wanting to make roman shades for quite some time but I watched way too many youtube videos before making the first move except for the purchase of the fabric 2 months prior to the first stitch! I have a GREAT fabric source in Boga Chitto, Mississippi at a place or places, should I say ,called The Cotton Patch. They have small buildings of bolts and bolts of fabric at ridiculous low prices! They also have ribbon, tassels, and any type of fringe you can imagine. I must say that I learned so much during this project. It is one of those projects that by the time you really know what you are doing, it is finished! Roman shades are quiet simple but I over thought this one. The best tutorials that I followed are here and here.   The second link is great for ordering the hardware. She also has the wonderful idea of using Velcro to attach the shades to the board.  My window was so big that I had to order the plastic dowels from her.  Also, the first link recommended sewing the sides and bottom of the lining together and this is what I did but in hindsight I would sew only the sides together and hem the fabric and lining separately to eliminate pucking.  Anyhoo, I FINALLY completed them and yes, I made mistakes but I had rather learn on my own projects than with someone else's money. Here are the before pics of the breakfast room without a window treatment.

After:
Without the valance

Valance added, I used a 1.5" PVC pipe that I painted on the ends to reutilize the holders I already had mounted for something I had previously hung.  I hope to in the near future add fancy pulls to the cords and something on the end of the pipe.

 

I am really hoping to save energy with the addition of these shades.  I have never covered these windows but there has always been a considerable difference in temperature in this room.  I also have a small window to the left of this large window that I made a shade for but did not get a picture of it.

I hope this inspires you to make this if you have contemplating this project in the past.

Linking to:   

The French Country Cottage

Bits of Christmas

We always have a real tree I only wish you could smell the Christmas!  Pictures never do it justice.                            

                              Our Tree In the Foyer

My Favorite Ornament

The topper that I made with two ribbons.

Garland on the Bannister . I really hope to get some better quality garland at the after Christmas sales.

Simple centerpiece in the dining room.  I have not gotten my Lenox Holiday out because I hosted a shower in my home last weekend and I have gotten lazy!

My Breakfast Tablescape 

Tree in the breakfast room

A Santa I painted BC(before children) when I attended a weekly ceramics class.

A Santa cookie jar that a dear friend painted the year I taught her child.

My Nativity that I purchased at Sam's a few years ago.

I put a wreath on an aluminum bowl I have filled with coffee beans.

My front porch swing with the holly bush in the background.

Table in the foyer

One day I would like to really go all out on the fireplace but it didn't happen this year.  I only have a brick ledge to work with!

I used the "real stuff" in many places.

One of two stockings, did not get a shot of both, they are on the entertainment center  each side of the tv.

Potterybarn ornaments over the masterbath whirlpool

My Christmas cactus in bloom!!! I DO NOT have a green thumb so when anything blooms around here we get excited!

Linking to: Seasonal Sundays

Christmas Vignette

I changed out the table in the foyer from fall to Christmas but could not depart from the old window:) I used items that I already had and cut pines, cedar, and holly from my yard. I decorated all day and only have about 1/3 out. My daughter laboriously glued these berries to these wooden letters.

Linking to:

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