How to Make a Hobbled Roman Shade

X-HT-200696

If you love the look of Roman Shades for your home, then we think you're going to love this twist on their classic design — a hobbled Roman Shade, sometimes called a teardrop shade. Like a typical Roman Shade, a hobbled Roman Shade looks stacked when it's raised. Where they differ is that hobbled Roman Shades retain their pleats (or hobbles), even when the shade is lowered. These pleats add a little extra statement to your window.

Video Chapters:

Create the Shade Panels — 1:16 min.
Cut the Facing Strip — 9:41 min.
Secure Lining — 10:37 min.
Finish the Edges — 13:26 min.
Finish the Facing — 16:03 min.
Mark Segments & Lift Lines — 23:18 min.
Fashion Shroud Cords — 28:27 min.
Mark Shroud Cords — 32:24 min.
Attach Shroud Cords — 34:15 min.
Make Casings for Ribs — 38:47 min.
Cut & Insert Ribs — 43:03 min.
Finish the Top of the Shade — 44:38 min.
Fashion the Headboard — 49:27 min.
Insert Weight Rod & Install Shade — 59:26 min.
Materials List — 1:02:03 min.

Materials List:

P/Kaufmann Finders Keepers French Blue 54" Fabric #105070
Drapery Lining White 54" Fabric #122511
Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas (50 yds.) #129
Bottom Rod for Fabric Shades 3/8" #104989
Sure-Shade™ Encased 1.4mm Lift Cord Shroud Tube - #122529 Ivory / #122528 White
White Polyester Grosgrain Ribbon Webbing #PLGGWH
Sew on Rings for Roman & Balloon Shades - #104469-NKL Nickel / #104469-BRS Brass
Cord Adjuster Orb #120065
Roman Shade Plastic 1/4" Ribs (5 ft.) #104987
Nylon Hook White #100514
Nylon Loop White #100515
Standard Screw Eye #120034
Cord Lock for Roman & Austrian Shades #104468
Plastic Lift Cord Condenser White #104470
Vase Shape White Wooden Blind Cord Tassel #106673
21 Gauge 3/8" (10mm) Staples 10,000/Box (Galvanized) #8010GZ
Pine Board (width of finished shade x 1" x 3/4"), Masking Tape, Screws for Cord Lock & Installing Shade

Tools List:

Sailrite^® Ultrafeed^® LS Walking Foot Sewing Machine #311502
Deluxe 5-1/2" Magnetic Sewing Guide #103597
Gingher^® 8" Scissors Right Handed #19104
Multiuse Pins 1-1/2" (250 pack) #102985
Sailrite^® Long Nose Upholstery Staple Gun #121411
Tape Measure, Pencil, Straightedge, L-Square, Steam Iron, Ironing Board, Wire Cutter, Hand Needle, Awl, Screwdriver, Drill, Drill Bit

How to Make a Hobbled Roman Shade Video 2

To make this hobbled Roman Shade we relied on the help of the Sailrite^® Fabric Calculator, which was designed by Sailrite founder Jim Grant. This calculator figures out how much fabric you’ll need for your shade based on your window dimensions and the repeat of your chosen fabric’s pattern. The calculator also calculates all your dimensions like the width and height of each pleat so you know exactly how to assemble the shade.

The assembly process for the hobbled Roman Shade is similar to a regular Roman Shade; the loops on the back are just spaced in such a way as to create the hobbles. In this video you’ll see how to use Sure-Shade™ Encased Lift Cord Shroud Tape, which can be used on traditional Roman Shades too. This tape helps prevent the formation of hazardous loops that can cause injury to children.

In this video you’ll learn how to add a lining to your shade, mark the segments, add the lift cords, and finish and install the shade.

You can find the unique hardware pieces to build a hobbled or classic Roman Shade in the "Window Treatment Hardware" section of the Hardware shopping category on our website.

Warning: Cords can be hazardous, even fatal, to young children. Keep cords out of reach of children. Keep cribs, playpens and other furniture away from cords. Do not tie cords together or allow cords to twist or loop together.

These instructions are intended for personal use. If making shades to sell or gift, they must comply with the latest safety regulations.