HOW-TO GUIDE:
Fabricate a Motorized Roman Shade with Arched Cornice
This layered window treatment includes a motorized Roman shade paired with an arch-shaped cornice board, featuring a pleated decorative detail. Learn how to design and program these stylish yet functional treatments.
Explore the project steps below with videos or download the printable version. Discover all Recreate the Classics projects.
PRODUCTS USED
Overview
We transformed these deep bay windows with our motorized Roman shades with custom arched cornice boards. The layered design combines style and functionality with motorization, offering effortless control at the touch of a button. The arched cornice boards, embellished with pleated fabric details, add a refined touch to the overall look. Together, they create a beautifully layered and elegantly embellished window treatment.
Planning
The Roman shades for this project are mounted inside a bay window. The 1 x 3 boards were mitered to fit inside the bay.
The shades have floating ribs, meaning they are inserted just above the tack points of the shroud tube. When the shade is raised, the ribs float into the front fold. This allows for structure in the shade both when it is in the lowered position or in the up position.
These shades have round ribs, but Flat Fiberglass Ribs work well also.
Using the measurements for the inside of the bay, the front of the bay, and the depth of the bay allowed us to lay the boards for the Roman shade and the cornice on the table and angle long rulers to create the angle for the bay. These angles were transferred to the boards before cutting the angles.
STEP 1
Cut the Roman Shade Ribs
Using Utility Shears, cut enough Roman Shade Ribs for each vertical tack point.
STEP 2
Prepare for Motorization
Cut the shade mounting board. Assemble the motorized shade tube.
STEP 3
Cut the Fabric
The face fabric is cut the shade width plus 8". This allows for 2" double hems along each side. The cut length is the shade length plus 8" for a double 2" bottom hem and enough fabric to staple to the top of the shade board.
STEP 4
Cut the Lining
The lining is cut the shade width minus ¼". The lining length is cut to the face fabric.
STEP 5
Prep Table
Set up the table to make the Roman shade. Place long rulers along each long edge of the table. The space between the inside edges of the rulers measures the Finished Width (FW) of the shade.
Use the ‘0’ mark on the table grid as the center of the shade fabric.
STEP 6
Hem & Press Fabric
Place the face fabric on the table, wrong side up.
Fold side hems. Press.
Fold the bottom hem. Press.
Place lining on the face fabric, right side up. Tuck lining into the side and bottom hems.
Close one side hem and the bottom hem in your method of choice. For the project, the hems were stitched by hand, but feel free to use Iron-On Bonding Tape or Fringe Adhesive.
STEP 7
Mark Placement for Shroud Tube
Mark for the placement of the shroud tube, vertically and horizontally.
NOTE: The vertical tack points must be 8" or less for the updated child safety standards.
STEP 8
Secure Shroud Tube
Stitch the shroud tube to the back of the shade. Pull the shade cord out of the shroud tube just above each tack point. Secure with a Glass Head Straight Pins until ready to add the cord clips to the shade.
Pull the shade cord out of the shroud tube at the bottom of the shade. Secure with a pin.
TIP: Do not twist the shroud tube when pinning it to the back of the shade. This will cause the cord not to run smoothly when adjusting your shade.
NOTE: At the line for the top of the Roman shade, add about 10" extra to ensure when you go to clip it to the shade tube you don't run short.
STEP 9
Stitch Shroud Tube
Stitch the shroud tube to the back of the shade.
NOTE: For the shade to be within industry standards, it's very important that none of the vertical tack points be any wider than 8" apart. They may be less than 8" apart, but not more.
STEP 10
Stitch Ring
Pull the shade cord at the bottom of the shade through a ring before stitching the ring to the last tack point on the shade.
STEP 11
Add Roman Shade Ribs
Slide the Roman shade ribs between the lining and face fabric, just above each vertical tack point.
Close the side hem using the method of your choosing.
STEP 12
Attach the Shade
Use your table grid lines to check the FL of the shade. Screw the brackets into the dustboard, then wrap and staple the fabric to attach the shade.
STEP 13
Attach Cords to Clips & Shade Tube
Tie the lift cords to the tube clips. Place the clips on the shade tube. To eliminate cord overlap, offset the clips approximately 3" away from the rows of lift lines.
TIP: Using 2 flathead screwdrivers, pry open the clips to easily place them onto the shade tube.
STEP 14
Set Orbs & Cord
Add orbs to the cords at the bottom of the shade. Pull the cord to snug the orb to the bottom ring. Knot the shade cord below the orb once completing the FL. Bring the cord through the orb a second time. Add a dot of Fringe Adhesive to the knot and the orb. Remove any excess cord.
STEP 15
Finish the Shade
Slide bracket covers onto brackets.
STEP 16
Program the Shade
Locate the P1 button on the motorhead of the shade. This is used for programming. The first step is to pair the handheld remote to the shade motor.
Next, check the direction of the motor. Change if necessary.
Set the upper and lower limits.
Set a favorite position.
Lock the remote.
Planning
The cornice board for this project is inside mounted. The window is a bay window. The returns are cut at an angle to fit inside the bay area.
The face of the cornice board is made with FirmaFlex™. This product allows the cornice board to be lighter in weight than using wood.
In the traditional method of cornice board making, the board would have been made using a wood frame and face.
The lower edge of this cornice board has an arch shape and there is a pleated, contrasting fabric in the center of the cornice board. Originally, the overlay was to be angled out along the bottom. However, the design changed for the overlay to be rectangular in shape.
STEP 1
Layout Your Design
Using the measurements for the inside of the bay, the front of the bay, and the depth of the bay allowed us to lay the boards for the Roman shade and the cornice on the table and angle long rulers to create the angle for the bay. These angles were transferred to the boards prior to cutting the angles
STEP 2
Make Pattern
Make a pattern for the cornice board, including the arch shape at the bottom. Cut a piece of Pattern Making Paper large enough for the cornice board. Fold it in half. Draw the shape for the bottom of the cornice and then cut it out.
TIP: Using a Roman Shade Rib with holes drilled into it is a helpful tool for drawing arches.
STEP 3
Transfer Pattern
Unfold the pattern. Transfer the pattern to the FirmaFlex™. Cut the Firmaflex™ using a utility knife or jigsaw.
STEP 4
Build Cornice
Build the cornice. Add the top board and legs to the FirmaFlex™.
STEP 5
Add Padding
Cover cornice with Cornice Board Padding.
STEP 6
Prepare Fabric
Cut the fabric. If necessary, stitch the fabric widths together, pattern matching the seams. Remove excess fabric from the selvages. Remove excess fabric width if necessary.
STEP 7
Create Fabric Covered Welt Cord
Cut 4" bias strips to make enough fabric covered Welt Cording for the top and bottom edges of the cornice.
TIP: Easily cut fabric strips using our Electric Rotary Cutter.
STEP 8
Place Fabric
Use pins or push pins along the edges, top, and sides to hold the fabric in place. Be sure to keep the grain of the fabric square as you are pinning. Also, consider the pattern placement. Clip the bottom curve, leaving about 2" of excess fabric to wrap to the back of the cornice.
STEP 9
Secure Fabric
Use an Upholstery Air Stapler to staple the fabric in place along the top and sides, and inside.
Clip away curve.
STEP 10
Create the Overlay
We used the rule of 5th’s and 6th’s as a starting point to determine how wide the contrasting fabric detail should be on the cornice. After taking photos of this, determine the finished width and cut the fabric 3 x FW + 2" to tuck under on each side.
Cut the contrasting fabric. Serge the edges of the contrasting fabric if it frays.
Create the pleats by marking the fabric from the center out every 2". Begin folding the fabric to the center creating folds. Continue to the outside edges to create three folds on each side.
STEP 11
Attach the Overlay
Pin and then staple the overlay to the cornice.
STEP 12
Attach Welt Cord
Use a High Temperature Glue Gun to attach the fabric covered welt cording to the bottom and top edges of the cornice. Clip the welt strip along the bottom edge to allow for the curve. Staple in place before removing excess fabric.
STEP 14
Fold Fabric for Returns
Fold the fabric for the returns to the inside leg and staple.
