Roman Shades Part 2

Thanks, we love the faucet too!  It is made by Delta.  It also has the under counter soap dispenser, but we have yet to install it.

Back to the Roman Shades......I did make a small mistake in my measurements the other day.  In regards to the lining.....you need to add two inches to the length.

Ok, this is what a clutch system looks like without the fabric attached to it.  The little squares hanging down are the strings which would attach to your shade and run the full length.  When you pull the cord to the left, it winds the string onto the rod and thus pulls up the shade.

Here is a close up of the actual clutch system.  All these components are available on the web Rowley Company.  They will provide instructions on how to assemble the hardware. 

Once you have your fabric cut to size you need to press your side hems and bottom hem into place and sandwich your lining in between.  It should look something like this.......

Your hems are double.  In other words, the side hem folds 1 1/2 inches over.....press....then turn another 1 1/2.....press.  The bottom is a 1 inch turn, press, then another inch, and press.  Your lining slides in behind the hems.  The top of the blind remains raw edges with your lining being even with your fabric.  As shown below.........

This is a photo of the top of the blind.  At this point, you need to make sure everything has remained square and true to your final measurements.  Sometimes during the pressing process things can change.....so recheck your measurements.  A note about fabric, I would recommend using a drapery fabric for your shades.  Drapery fabrics generally come in a 55 to 60 inch width.....which is helpful when doing larger windows.  Also, Drapery fabric will generally handle and hang better than quilting or clothing weight fabric.  If you are wanting your shades to be flame resistant....check the label on the fabric....some drapery fabric has already been treated for it.  If not, their are products you can purchase and treat the fabric yourself. 

That is it for now......my next post will probably on Wednesday.

Roman Shades

In the beginning......my fifth wheel came with the same day/night accordion style shades  that you see in most rvs.  They didn’t last long.  Even though we took extreme care.....strings were breaking right and left.  I had my own window treatment business for over 10 years and I just felt these shades were the wrong choice for my rv.  I know some folks get along with them fine, but I can tell you they were never meant to be installed they way I saw them installed in my rv......and that is why string breakage occurs.  Most of my readers know I replaced all but the bedroom shades with a new style of  ‘roller shade’......which we love.  In the bedroom I decided to go with Roman shades which I can make myself.  The only drawback to a roman style shade is......it is either ‘open’ or ‘closed’.  There are no louvers to adjust as on traditional blinds and there is no way to do a ‘day/night’ option like the accordion style shades.  You certainly can control how much of the window is exposed when raising the shade, but that is it. 

Roman shades, as with most window treatments, need to be lined.  Since my shades are going into the bedroom, I choose to use black out lining.  I am usually an early riser, but I can’t tell you how many times we have been in an rv park and had a street light pouring into one of the bedroom windows.  Black out lining will put an end to that, as well as give us a little extra insulation value.  Speaking of insulation.....you can sandwich a layer of thin quilt batting between the fabric and the lining if you feel you need it.  Also I will be making a ‘flat’ style of roman shades.  There are also ‘balloon’ and ‘hobbled’ style roman shades.  A flat shade is just that....when it is fully extended the fabric lies flat against the windows.....no pleats and no puffiness.

Step 1:  Measure your window.  My window measures 13 inches wide by 23 inches long.  Now, I need to figure out my finished blind width and length.  I know I want my blind to extend past my window 2 inches on either side and I’m going to mount my blind at the ceiling and extend it 2 inches below the bottom of my window.  That gives me a finished blind measurement of 17 inches across by 28 inches long.  To figure yardage I need to add a bottom hem of 2 inches, side hems of 3 inches, and add about 2 inches at the top for mounting.  I’m looking at cutting a piece of fabric 23 inches wide by 32 inches long.  The lining (and optional quilt batting) can be cut to the finished blind measurement.....in my case that is 17 by 28.  Are you following me so far?  Please ask any questions in the comment section and I’ll post the answer in the next day’s blog. 

I have probably rambled on enough for today.  Tomorrow I’ll be in the construction phase of my blinds.  Look for my next post to appear on Sunday with detailed instructions and photos.  And.....little Belle is doing better....thanks for asking!

Here is a photo of our new faucet......ain't it pretty!!

And here is a photo of Bill....squeeezzzing under the sink.....ain't he pretty!!!  LOL!!!

I had hope to have the first stage of the Roman Shades up for today's blog......BUT....Murphy's law had other plans.  My first issue arose at 1am, my little furball Belle woke me to go outside.  That is very unusual for her.  Once out, she went and then tried to go several more times.  She just came off antibiotics for a bladder infection, obviously we aren't done with that yet.  Off to the vet we went to get an x-ray to make sure she did not have stones.  Good news....all clear.....bad news, not sure why the infection came back.  Vet gave us something stronger and back to the fiver we go.  Once at the fiver, Billy informs me the water is off.  We have been having issues with our facet in the kitchen.  Apparently it decided today was the day to end it's life and spew water everywhere.  Back to town I go, we need a new facet and something Billy called a Basin Wrench.  I found a nice young man at the hardware store that helped find just the right facet and the Basin Wrench.  Back to the fiver I go.  The next hour or so was spent with me under the sink and Billy atop the sink trying to get the washer holding the facet to the counter loose.  If you have ever tried to wedge your body under the sink of a fifth wheel.....well, you know how tight and how difficult that process can be.  The basin wrench turned out to be useless.  Someone should have had a camera...as I'm sure we were quite the sight.  We debated about taking the sink out or removing the counter, but neither was going to be easy and might cause more damage.  In the end, me with a good old pair of channel locks holding the washer from the underside and Billy a top with another pair......success.....finally pulled the facet free.  Now, we just spent the next 30 minutes or so deciphering the instructions for the new facet.  Finally decided it was time for dinner.......and a break......back to town we go.......And that my friends is where this story ends for now. Hopefully after dinner we will be able to finish the installation of the new facet and have water restored to the fiver.  Sure hate to have to use the 'out house' tonight!  I'll post the 'rest of the story' tomorrow........

We had a nice....although, short visit....with my Aunt and Uncle.  They could only stay a couple of days.  It seems they are both huge Elvis fans and there is some type of big event in Fredricksburg.  I know they will have a blast....cause they always do!

Our grandson and his mom are still here visiting with us.....and, in fact.....they have decided to make the move to Lafayette.  They currently live in Southern Indiana.  She will be attending Ivy Tech this fall here in Lafayette.  So, we have been busy with all that goes with a "big" move to a new place and a new life.  Since our house has not sold, they will be moving into it for now.  Needless to say, Grandma and Grandpa could not be happier about this new development. 


I am planning on getting my roman shades under way next week.  I will take some 'step by step' photos and post for those of you interested in roman shades.  I will be using a 'clutch system', which I personally think is the only way to go.  So....stay tuned......for the next exciting chapter in our "Goodelife" ......LOL!

Still here in Indiana, but you can see Grandpa and Triston are enjoying the "fair" days!  We have been having a great time.

Bill did call and talk with the Big Foot folks about installing their "lift" system on our fiver.  Looks like we will be heading north sometime in September.  Our other fiver projects have been put on temporary hold for now.  We just found out some more family from Florida are coming up for a visit.  This is family from my Mom's side.....her brother and his wife.  I don't think we have ever had so many friends and family visiting in a single summer!

Still not much activity on our stick house.  Bill is working hard today putting in a new hot water heater.  He just informed me that he has no future as a plumber....LOL!

Here are the photos I promised!  This is the lane into the "campground" and you can see we have no vacancies, but we did have a lot of fun!

Here are the campsites at the front of the "campground".  These were premium lots due to their close proximity to the river.....I shot this standing under our awning.  The motorhome on the left belongs to my Daddy and the one on the right our some family friends.

I don't know if I posted this before or not, but it is so cute it is worth repeating!!  LOL!  Triston, our grandson, was having the time of his life that day.  John, good friend of our family, took him for a ride around the river property.

But alas, everyone has gone now.....some back home to Florida, some to other travel destinations.  The river is sooooo quiet now that it is spooky at times.  We will now turn our attentions back to our rig.  Billy is going to be setting the appointment to have the Big Foot hydraulic levelers installed and I'm hoping to have a washer and dryer on board before we head out west this fall.  I also need to finish the mural  and get my roman shades made for the bedroom.  If we have time, I'm also hoping we can make some improvements to a couple of cabinets.  We want to install some pull out shelving.  One for our scanner to fit on and the other in the kitchen area for additional grocery storage.  I'll post photos as we progress.

Guess that is it for now.....except to say "thank you" to all of you who have hung in here with me over the spring and summer.  I know my post have been few and far between due to the lack of internet on the river.  Billy and I have really missed reading your blogs and are looking forward to being able to catch up with everyone's adventures soon.  I'm guessing we will be pulling out of here sometime in August......I'm ready......when everyone that was here starting leaving.....well, that old 'hitch-itch' really started to set in.....I've been a scratching ever since!!

Here are a couple of photos taken of my Grandson at the Children's museum in Indianapolis.  Above you see......a star is born.....and below....you see.....

my Grandson flirting with some "older women"!!  I tell you he is so much like his Daddy...brings back so many memories. 

We have been so busy these last few weeks on the river.  The gang is all here.....lots of friends and family.....all with their respective rvs.  We have got cables, water lines, and electric lines running everywhere.  Looks like the campground from hillbilly haven......but we are all love-in it!! 

Don't know when I will get to post again, but I'll try to get some photos of the river "campground"  it is a hoot!!