| A sheer roman shade is lovely way to add softness | | | | fabric, then iron it on to the seam allowances. This will |
| to your window along with some privacy without | | | | give your side seams some shape plus make it much |
| blocking out the light. Sheer roman shades look terrific | | | | easier to sew a clean seam. |
| layered with drapery panels... and you can even layer | | | | 5. Loosen thread tension |
| them under lined-fabric roman shades. | | | | If you're fabric starts to pucker or gather, loosen your |
| But with any sheer fabric treatment... sewing sheers is | | | | thread tension a bit. If possible, lower your pressure |
| a challenge all on its own. Below you'll find 7 sewing | | | | foot a little bit too. |
| tips that you can use to sew sheer fabrics plus how | | | | 6. TEST TEST TEST |
| to be successful sewing a sheer roman shade. | | | | Test your stitch settings on scrap fabric. Make sure |
| 1. Use a sharp #8 or 9 sewing machine needle. | | | | you fold your sheer fabric in 2 or 3 layers to mimic |
| Use a thin and sharp sewing machine needle... and | | | | your hems. If your stitching looks good, then you're |
| make sure it's a new needle. | | | | read to sew! But if the stitching is off... then you can |
| 2. Lightweight thread | | | | keep testing without ruining your roman shade. |
| Use lightweight thread... like fine cotton-covered | | | | 7. Sewing rings along side seams |
| polyester thread, or lingerie thread. . The more | | | | You may be inclined to sew a standard flat roman |
| compatible your thread is to your fabric the better. | | | | shade... but with a sheer, you may come up with an |
| 3. Sew a french seam | | | | undesirable result. Mainly because you'll have visible |
| If you need to piece multiple widths of fabric to get to | | | | tacking from sewing the shade rings and you'll see the |
| the width you require... sew a french seam instead of | | | | lift cord and rings through the shade. If you don't want |
| a standard seam. A french seam will enclose the raw | | | | this, I recommend sewing a relaxed roman shade. |
| edges of the seam and give a clean appearance. | | | | Simply sew your rings up the side seams only. Your |
| 4. Iron on light weight interfacing for the seam | | | | shade will swag in the center, but your sheer will be |
| allowances | | | | clean in the center. A relaxed roman shade is an ideal |
| Iron on interfacing for sheers will definitely make your | | | | style for sheer fabrics. |
| sewing go smoother. There interfaces to use on the | | | | If you're set on sewing flat roman shades, you can |
| entire sheer fabric... or you can get thinner interfacing | | | | always sew your rings on like normal... but a more |
| for just the seam allowances. If you don't feel | | | | contemporary idea is to install small metal grommets |
| comfortable ironing interfacing to your entire face | | | | where you would have sewn rings on. |