What Do You Need to Sew Commercial Roller Shades?

by Caroline Fritz

Overview

Roller shades are versatile and practical. They can be raised to let in light and air and lowered for privacy. Because they are installed right against the window frame, they do not take up precious wall space. They can be created in any color to match any décor in either a home or an office, store or other commercial space. Sewing and assembly is easier than you may think and can be accomplished in a short time.
Shade Body

Choose a lightweight or medium-weight fabric. Attach a fusible backing to the fabric to make the shade sturdy. Sew a casing into the bottom of the shade and insert a wooden slat and slip on a plastic shade pull over the fabric and slat. This will be used to pull the shade down and to prevent the fabric from becoming soiled.

Shade Hardware

The fabric shade is attached to an aluminum roller by double-faced tape. End caps are screwed into the frame of the window. To move the shade up and down, a clutch unit with a chain is inserted into one end of the aluminum roller and a corresponding end plug is attached to the other end to ensure the roller moves. Clutch brackets attach the roller to the end caps.
Kits and Refurbishing

Roller shade kits are available for purchase online at DraperySewingSupplies.com, The Window Covering Hardware Store and Hancock Fabrics. Consider refurbishing shades as well. Peggy Bendel in the book, "Vogue Sewing for the Home," recommends taking apart an existing roller shade and reusing the roller and hardware and discarding the fabric body. Use a fusible backing like Fuse-A-Shade on the fabric to make it sturdy.