How to Make Shades That Open From the Bottom

Measure the width and length of the window inside the frame. Cut a 1-by-1 board 1/8 inch shorter than this width. Divide the length of the board by three and mark this distance from each end on the top of the board

Cut two pieces of ribbon twice as long as the length of the window. Cut the ends of the ribbon at a 45-degree angle and seal them with liquid fabric stabilizer to prevent fraying. Fold the ribbons in half and use a pen to mark the center with a dot. Staple the center of the ribbons to the top of the board at the marks you made earlier. The dot on the ribbon should be on the back edge of the top of the board and the ends of the ribbon should hang down on each side of the board, perpendicular to the board.

Cut a rectangle of fabric that is 1 inch wider and 1 1/2 inches longer than the dimensions of the window. Cut a piece of lining fabric the same size.

Lay the fabric on a flat surface with the right side up. Lay the lining on top with the right side down and all edges even.

Set a sewing machine to sew a straight stitch with a standard stitch length. Sew along one long edge of the fabric, 1/2 inch from the edge. When you reach the corner stop 1/2 inch from the edge with the needle down in the fabric. Lift the pressure foot, turn the fabric 90-degrees to go around the corner, lower the pressure foot and continue sewing along the short end to the corner. Turn this corner in the same way and sew to the end of the remaining long side.

Clip the corners by cutting the seam allowances at the corners at a 45-degree angle. The seam allowance is the fabric that extends beyond the seam. Cut close to the seam without cutting the seam.

Turn the shade right side out and iron it. Staple the shade to the top of the board over the ribbons. Place the open edge of the fabric along the back edge of the top of the board. Be sure the shade is centered on the board.

Fold the lengths of ribbon that are hanging from the back edge of the board over the front of the shade. You will have two lengths of ribbon behind the shade and two lengths in front.

Place the board of the shade in the top of the window frame with the top of the board against the top of the frame. Place the angle brackets under the board on each side. Mark the holes in the brackets on the board and the sides of the window frame with a pencil. Take down the shade and brackets.

Drill a pilot hole at each dot with a small drill bit. Replace the shade and brackets and twist a screw through all the holes to hold the shade in place.

Raise the shade by lifting it to the desired height and tying the ends of the ribbons on the front and back side of the shade together underneath the shade. You may raise the shade to any height, from a few inches above the window sill to a few inches below the top of the window.