Here are some mostly workroom shots of relaxed Roman shades. This isn't meant to be a portfolio, rather, a place to illustrate variables and how they can be manipulated to solve problems, as well as illustrate how variables such as proportion, fabric bulk, bottom trims, etc, affect the look of the shade.
Here is a single basic relaxed Roman at its simplest. This is around 32" wide and does not have returns.
The width of the shade affects how the bottom droops- this one is about 44" wide and you can see that the bottom droop is more pronounced. This shade has returns and that alters the silhouette somewhat as well.
Bottom trim also affects how the shade droops. The flat braid weights down the already heavy wool in this shade. The 3 1/2" returns create a dog-ear effect.
This sheer lined with sheer is pretty droopy at about 45" wide; the glass beads add bottom weight.
In this trio of shades, heavy bullion trim has been sewn in. These shades have returns. Bottom trim affects the droop because the rings are started a half-pleat up; the last 3" of fabric are hanging down, instead of being folded up in back.
The homeowner decided she didn't like the bullion fringe so we took it out and re-hemmed the shades and applied a loop fringe trim which was top-sewn. Here, interlining adds bulk which makes the returns flare out.
One of my favorite relaxed romans is this voile, banded in orange silk. There is little weight so the bottom doesn't droop much.
Another favorite: horizontally ribbed sheer silk, with a lightweight tassel trim attached up from the bottom. Even on this narrow, light shade, there is some obvious droop.
RELAXED ROMANS FOR WIDER WINDOWS:
This wide shade- about 72"- is one single section. The bottom banding flattens out what would have been a too pronounced droop.
Relaxed Romans in multiple sections droop very little without added fullness. The bulk and weight of the fabric contribute to the bottom silhouette. Here is a double relaxed Roman with a quite deep band which keeps the bottom nearly straight.
This is the triple version of that shade.
Here's another triple shade, a crisp linen, with no bottom trim, no added fullness, dressed casually.
This one is about 10' wide- there are three sections and the fabric barely droops at all. This was exactly what the client wanted.
VARIATIONS ON RELAXED ROMANS:
ADDING FULLNESS
For a Roman shade with more fullness, my favorite style is a center pleat roman.
This can easily become a double center pleat shade.....
Or triple.....
Another way to add fullness is little pleats on the sides.
OTHER MODIFICATIONS:
Dog-ears are created by running the lift lines a couple of inches in from the side. This is the silhouette of a London shade, but has no fullness from pleats.
For an inside mount relaxed Roman, we created this look that is flat on the bottom and relaxed above that line, so that the shade would rest neatly on the sill when all the way down.
These very long relaxed Romans needed ribs so they would be easy to dress. They have just two lift lines, but there are ribs at each fold. Here is the lowered look:
And here it is raised:
Dog-ears are created by running the lift lines a couple of inches in from the side. This is the silhouette of a London shade, but has no fullness from pleats.
