SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• Thermal curtain–purchased at Walmart
• 1/8″ matching ribbon
• matching thread
• 4 shank buttons
• 2 cafe-style curtain rods
• 4 Command hooks  (with metal hooks)

The window measurements are 38″ long and 8″ wide.  The fold up shade is cut in four sections. I calculated the size of each section allowing for 1/2″ seams and 3 1/2″ for the header /rod pocket and 1″ hems on the side and bottom.

Here are my measurements:

• Section A (top) — 18 1/2″ l x 14 1/2″ w
• Section B (middle) — 11″ l  x  14 1/2″ w
• Section C (middle) — 11″ l  x  14 1/2″ w
• Section D (lower) –    8″ l x 14 1/2″ w

I myself like to make a pattern before I cut.  To me this is easier than measuring several times for each section and allows me to double check my measurements.  It also leaves a pattern if I decide I want to make more shades at a later time.  Ready to cut the sections.

***NOTE: I would suggest that you label each section according to the measurements given.  I used sticky notes.

Next I inserted the ribbon loops at the bottom of sections A, B, and C.  Cut 6 pieces of ribbon each 4″ long – fold and pin in half.  Measure in 2 3/4″ on both sides of the lower edges of each section.  Pin ribbon loops in place with 1/2″ extending above the edge of the fabric.  Stitch 1/2″ seams. 

The shade should now look like this:

I carefully pressed the seams down so I could stitch in the ditch at each seam.  

** * NOTE: Stitching in the ditch helps the seam lay flat.

Now for the hems.  First measure 1 1/2″ along each side edge of the shade;  turn under 1/2″ and then stitch.  For the header and rod pocket measure a 4″ hem at the top of section A.  Once again turn under 1/2″ and stitch the hem in place.

Make the rod pocket by sewing a row of stitching 1 1/2″ from the top edge of section A.

Make a l” hem at the bottom of section D of both shades.  Fold up shade sections one at a time starting at the top to determine placement of buttons.  Sew on buttons and your shade is ready to hang.

***HINT:  I wanted to use a magnetic rod on my windows because I didn’t want to put screw holes in the door.  My door is not magnetic so I decided to try using the removable command hooks.   They work great!  This is the part where my husband got to help.  It is hard to find a cafe rod small enough for these windows, so I bought the smallest I could find and asked him if he would shorten it for me.   Once he was involved in cutting the rod, he volunteered to put up the command hooks.  Here are the final results.  One folded up and the other left down for you to see.

One final note:  My shade could be just a bit longer.  Adjustments would need to be made to sections to allow for any changes.

1. Sewing Machine
2. Sewing Table
3. Cutting Table
4. Comfortable Chair
5. Ironing board and Iron
6. Scissors, both large and small
7. Pins
8. Needles, both machine and hand sewing
9. Measuring tools, both small and large
10. Seam Ripper
11. Pattern
12. Fabric
13. Thread

As you can see my must have sewing tools list includes a lucky thirteen items.  You could ask any other sewer and they would probably give you a different list.  I chose these particular sewing tools for my basic starting point.  As Rachel and I progress, we will add more essential sewing tools to our list.

Our first tool is a sewing machine.  We will be using my Janome 10001 Memory Craft Machine.  This is a wonder machine; it does regular sewing as well as embroidery.  I chose this one over my older White sewing machine because my Janome allows me to dictate how fast it sews.  It seems like the White has one speed–fast!  I prefer my buddy’s little fingers stay all in one piece.  In all my years of sewing I have only stitched my finger once and that was just last year.  It was really scary and really hurt!

Next we need a table for the sewing machine.  We will use a simple white folding table for our sewing table.  It’s what I have and it works.

Our cutting table will be either the kitchen table or the dining room table.  It depends on which one is empty at the time–most likely the kitchen table.  It seems our flat surfaces have “pilot syndrome“.  You know “pile it here” or “pile it there“.  I do remember a day when that would never have happened in my house!

I prefer my sewing chair be mobile.  I have an office chair for this task.   Since we are sewing on carpet, I should probably add another accessory– a chair mat. Otherwise, the casters sink into the carpet.

An iron and ironing board are a must.  Sewing is much easier and more professional when the “press as you sew” technique is followed.

Scissors are very special to me.  My family knows that they should never, ever touch my sewing scissors. Sewing scissors are meant for cutting fabric–not paper.  We need two different kinds of scissors–bent handled scissors for cutting out our project  and smaller scissors for snipping threads.

Since our first projects we be on woven fabrics, we will be using just regular pins and needles.  This topic could be a lesson all in itself, so we’ll just leave it as regular pins and needles for now.

Sewing is precision.  Therefore, we must have measuring tools.  A small ruler, known as a sewing gauge includes a sliding marker for use when marking the same distance repeatedly–like buttonholes and hems. An 18″ clear plastic straight edge is needed for marking lines and measuring the “straight of grain”–(a term to be defined at a later time.) For taking body measurements, a measuring tape will be needed.

One sewing tool that everyone who sews needs is a seam ripper.  Really, everyone needs one, even those who have sewn forever!

The last three items on my list are not necessarily sewing tools, but one can’t sew without them–patterns, fabrics and threads. These last three things are probably without a doubt my favorite part of sewing.  I could look for pattern ideas for hours.  Fabrics, the same.  I have no concept of time when in a fabric store.  It’s a time when the imagination runs wild!  You’ve heard the old saying, “She would dies with the most fabric wins!”  Well, I have a good start!  How about you?

Like I say, I don’t remember  a lot about how she taught me to sew.  All I know is I have always loved to sew.  I remember, though, it was a simple old sewing machine.  It wasn’t as old as a treadle machine, but it was old.  It didn’t do anything except straight stitch.  It had a really nice cabinet and operated with a knee control. I don’t know how well I could sew now with a knee control.

Fast forward to today.  I have a grand-daughter who just so happens to be 11 years old.  She will be spending the summer with me because it is kinda hard to find daycare for “tweeners”.  She and I are “best buds”.  We have already had a great time learning to cook.  Now when she visits, she goes into the kitchen and makes a batch of banana muffins all on her own.  Ya gotta love a good cook!

I have decide for sure on two things this summer.  We must have some kind of routine and I will teach her to sew. Now, in order for me to teach her to sew,, I need to come up with a lesson plan for Sewing 101.  Way back when I took sewing in Home Economics, our first project was a half slip.  It’s a good project–two side seams–which were done as French seams, a casing at the top and lace added to the hem.  But tell me now–who wears a half slip these days?  How many even know what it is?

In my next few blogs, I will be working on my lesson plans for Sewing 101. We will be learning about the tools she will need and some sewing terms.  For a project, I think we will make a pillow cover of some sort.  I saw one several years ago in a magazine and I am searching to find it.  It should be fun for her to make something that will be simple yet functional.  It will be good for the both of us.  I will catch up on some of the newest gadgets and techniques and she  will be entering a whole new world of crafting.  I can’t wait to get started.