I think the amount of folds close together is what looks off to me. I like it up to the ceiling, but prefer that longer space of fabric like the last photo shows.

Honestly, I think it's because "working" Roman shades have the top fabric piece unfolded, i.e. straighter the more they are covering the window--- that's what makes the shade hang down.

So, if the shade covers more of the window, the straight piece gets even bigger.

Yours is "all folded up", but it covers a fair amount of window. With that many folds, it should be all the way up on the window if it were real.

Basically it looks like a folded up shade, but it covers too much window. Not sure if I'm making sense.

Sheesharee,
Thanks for chiming in, I have been following your shade problems in your kitchen.

Nosoccermom,
I am not sure what you are saying. My shade as it is today is the second photo I posted and it ends at the very top of the window.
So are you saying it should be hanging from the top near ceiling as it is but with a bigger expanse of fabric at the top and then some 5 or 6 bunched up closer folds at the bottom.
My length I need from ceiling to top of window is 28 inches.

I like the shade all the way to the ceiling but perhaps the length should have been made all the way down to the sill so the proper amount of folds would be at the bottom when drawn up (mock or otherwise). Now it looks more like a too-long cornice rather than a drawn up shade. Add that to the strong vertical lines of the windows & you may have the 'off' feeling.

Just my 2 cents and I could be wrong. I'm in the process of deciding on Romans & totally understand your frustrations.

.

No, Roman shades are not always entirely flat when opened, which means they're also not entirely flat at the top. What's pictured is what Smith and Noble sell as a "soft" Roman shade. It does have those extra folds in it.

I feel like the short version looks like a head bandage. I like the one that goes to the ceiling.

To be realistic, don't simply tack or Velcro fabric to the wall. You need to include a flat stick or dowel behind the top hem, to mimic the header of a real shade.

I think the first thing that would help is to make sure that the folds are straight across the fabric. With that strong a pattern, you really have to line up the folds to correspond with the fabric pattern. This is sometimes done by inserting small diameter dowels between the fabric and lining at regular intervals where the Roman shade lifts up to keep the folds straight across. You say this is a "mock" shade, so perhaps you don't have folds that pull up. If so, it may help to not crease the bottom of each section so it looks more like a soft fold, but make sure you keep the bottom straight across so the hem or horizontal fold is always at the same point on each chevron.

Your fabric is so colorful. Good luck.

I agree that the shade should start at the top of the wall just under the ceiling and stop when it is barely covering the top of the window (just enough to conceal the roller shade.

However, I think the larger problem is that you have hung this treatment atop a casement window, and it is unsuitable for that type window IMO. It doesn't look right and will never look right because if this were a "real" roman shade you could never open the window,

This post was edited by kswl on Thu, Oct 16, 14 at 6:11

Thanks to all,
The consensus seems to be to hang the shade at the very top which is what I have now in the second photo one.
But if I am reading the responses correctly I should take it down and re work some folds.
What I have now to make up my 28 inches to just barely come to top of window is 10 inches, followed by 3 folds of 6 inches.

So maybe if I put the top panel at 20 inches and then the other 8 inches made up of folds bunched very close together.
I am going to try this with an old piece of fabric.
If anyone has other suggestions, let me know please.

Kswl
I have casement windows in my home and have a few real roman shades with no problems. The casement windows open to the outside

I actually think that both the curtains or the Roman shade look fine the way they are. I prefer the curtains more than the shade, but think that you have done a fine job with the shade. I'd pull it up to the window casing and not block the window glass, at all. That, and a few adjustments, as suggested, may make the look more to your liking.

newhomebuilder
thank you, but the curtains are a no for sure because they interfere with the pax door on the left when trying to open it and on the right there is a built in with drawers that open out to almost where the window frame is.

As for the two roman shades that I have shown, they are both ending exactly at the window top. no way that they can be pulled up more. I have a black out roller shade underneath for when grand daughter is sleeping

Sorry, Lyban. Ours sort of pivoted and while they ostensibly opened outward, the edge nearest the window frame pivoted inward several inches and would have caught on any type of window treatment that hung over the top edge of the wndow, however slightly.

Ohh, I really like it! What a difference. I am such a sucker for soft Romans.

To the ceiling, bien sur!

To the ceiling, but adjust that third fold down so the lines (ziggy) of the folds are straight...

ML

Another vote for to the ceiling. Very pretty!

maddielee,
You don't know how many times I have tried to adjust the folds .
I must be doing something wrong. I have never made a roman shade before so this was all trial and error.

At first I had dowels in but they still did not look full enough . My daughter wanted the folds to be straight across but to have a fuller look in the loop fold so
We then tried putting a wrapping paper cardboard tube in , but I only had one and it was 36 inches instead of the 49 I needed so it is still there and I think that is causing the uneven flap.

I will be doing more experiencing tomorrow.
You guys have been very helpful, please keep any suggestions coming.

Did you try using the plastic sew on rings? I was going to space out and hand sew rings on the back of mine and use a ribbon to run through them to gather the folds together. I'll probably end up combining a few different tutorials. I should probably test mine out on cheap fabric too.
I'm going to somehow tie mine to the rod I'll be using. Both of these are for relaxed romans though so maybe that won't work for straight folds.

This is for a functional roman, but it shows using rod support at the bottom. I'm not sure how necessary that is.
http://www.addicted2decorating.com/second-roman-shade-finished-plus-a-tutorial.html

Here is a link that might be useful: with rings

Thanks Sheesharee,
I am going to look at that tutorial and maybe try another one with junk fabric using rings.

For mine I used a piece of wood at the top and screwed it into wall, then stapled velcro on that piece and sewed velcro on my drape and attached.
That way I can remove them easily and throw in dryer on cool setting to get rid of dust.

I think yours is an inside mount but maybe you could still do that attaching the wood to top of window frame.

off to practice some more, my old sheets come in handy for using as fabric to get an idea of what I am doing.

I know you are still fussing with the loops and folds but in any event, hung at the ceiling ;)