I think that's called "railroading" and would work better for a sofa or something wide versus a shade. You would have to seem it to create a piece long enough for a roman shade.

I know that's not much help and probably what you already know. Maybe someone who has more knowledge could offer more.

Thanks, that's the term I should have used. I can't believe that I didn't realize this when I first viewed the bolt at Calico Corners. The square sample I brought home looked fine (duh!). I wish the sales associate had pointed this out to me when we were discussing shades. Of course she lost all interest in me when she realized I just wanted fabric and was not using their services.

If you can't return it, I would cover a chair or make a coverlet. Because I really like it too. And you aren't the only one to do this, just had it happen to me last month. I've been sewing all my life and should have known better too.

There's nothing wrong with a clever seam where one of the folds in the Roman shade is going to be. It will look just fine then.

If you are going to use it as purely decorative and it will remain up, could it still work as a shade?

As hollysprings said, a seam or seams where the folds are could work...

Here is a link that might be useful: Making a Roman Shade

Thanks for the ideas. The shades will be up during the day and down at night. I am not a good sewer! but it looks like roman shades are more about measuring. I have been very impressed with the Terrell Designs website and have watched the videos several times and plan to follow the directions exactly. So I am worried about adding a seam.

I called Calico Corners and they were very nice about it and offered to take the fabric back and help me find something else. I've been scouring their website but I don't think I see anything I like as well in my price range.

So, maybe I should work with this fabric. It needs to go with creamy white woodwork, dark furniture, a medium blue chair and the rug below. (Wall color not yet picked):

I've put some time in with my sewing machine over the years, but am still not a very sophisticated sewer (that homonym has always bothered me a lot!). But I bought an inexpensive kit/instructions for sewing roman shades from make-roman-shades.com, and it couldn't have been easier! With some accurate measuring you can make a nicely matched seam so that you can still use that beautiful fabric. It really is nice, and it would be a shame to change it out! (No, I'm not a spammer...)