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Blackout Roman Shade Methods
Since 2012 I have been trying, testing and perfecting methods for blackout roman shades with no pinholes of light. If you are looking for a new blackout shade method, here are methods that I have developed that you can try.
Using a daisy-chain between the lining layers was the first method I developed for blackout roman shades back in 2014. See information and videos on my blog here.
There are instructions for making an interlined, blackout roman shade with ribs in my book Singer(R) Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments, pages 122 - 127. With this method pockets are sewn in the interlining for ribs. It's a beautiful looking shade on the front and back. You can purchase the book at any online bookseller and you can also check at your local library for a copy.
Cover of the book Singer(R) Sewing Custom Curtains, Shades and Top Treatments by Susan Woodcock In 2018 I published the buckram-fold blackout roman shade method on my blog here. I also have a step-by-step online class for Buckram-Fold Roman Shades at The Workroom Channel if you want to learn with video lessons.
The most recent method and my current go-to method is fabricated with blackout rib-sleeves. I think this is the easiest and fastest no-pinholes of light option. How-to instructions can be found here.
Sewing a blackout roman shade with rib sleeves
Another option for making a blackout shade without pinholes of light is to use the French blackout method where you layer black sateen between the lining and interlining. This works extremely well - the only exception is if you are using a thin, light color face fabric. I explain more about how this works on part III of my series of blog posts about linings here.
Many workrooms have taken these methods and altered them to fit their own fabrication style. You can learn about how Elki Horn makes blackout shades with the daisy-chain idea with her class at The Workroom Channel.
One of the complaints I hear most often when I share these methods is that "they take too long". I know it changes the process to price and plan with a more time-consuming method but in the end it is time well spent vs. customer complaints and trying to patch holes after the fact. I would rather charge the customer more so the customer is happy and I will not have to go back to repair a blackout shade with light holes.
When learning something new I recommend that you make samples first to learn the steps and take photos or videos and make notes to reference later. Once you practice and become more confident and efficient it will take you less time to make a no-pinholes of light shade.
I hope this will be a helpful resource for your next blackout roman shade project.
Happy sewing,
Susan
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