How To Thread A Roman Shade Cord Lock

Not all cord locks are created equal. You can find roman shade cord locks at fabric stores and even at hardware stores... but these are typically the lower quality cord lock. They have a lot of moving parts and ultimately will break on you over time. If you've put your energy and time into making your roman shade, then don't skimp on a high quality cord lock. The cord lock that is featured in this lens is from DraperySewingSupplies.com. This cord lock is made of a high quality plastic-like material that doesn't chip or crack. It is made very well... you can just see the difference when you compare it to the metal ones you see in the store. VERY nice. And the operation is super smooth. You really can't go wrong with this cord lock.

The threading and installing of this particular cord lock is unique... so, I'm going to show you how to thread and install this cord lock in this lens.

You'll need a philips screw driver, a drill (optional), your roman shade and your dust board.

It's not a lot, but it's really all you need. This particular cord lock comes with 2 #6 screws to attach the cord lock to the dust board. So, all you really need is a screw driver... and maybe a drill to predrill the holes if you want.

What is a dust board?
The dust board is a piece of wood that you attach your roman shade to. You also attach the roman shade hardware to this piece of wood. And then install the wood to your window frame or wall.

The board measures 1" x 2" or 1" x 3" cut to the finished width of your roman shade.

You may need a deeper board if you need your roman shade to extend farther out from the wall. So, you may need a 1" x 4" board.

You can find your dust board at any hardware store.

It's important to know about the componenets of the cord lock. That way when I explain how to thread it, you will have a better understanding.

The cord lock is installed on a board, and hangs down toward the floor. The edge that faces the floor has guide wires. You could have 4 or 2 guide wires based on the kind you buy.

On one side of the cord lock is a small hole and on the other side is a larger hole. Near the small hole - inside - is a small wheel. And near the larger hole - inside - is a larger wheel.

There are a few things you should know about this cord lock before we begin threading it.

First, this cord lock operates with one lift cord going through one side hole... and the remaining lift cords going through the other hole. This cord lock will not work if you thread all the lift cords through one side. So, when you choose the side of your roman shade that you want your pull cords, make sure the smaller hole points toward that side and that you plan on having one lift cord on the outer side of the cord lock.

Second, you will thread the cord lock first BEFORE you install the cord lock onto your board and before you thread the lift cord through the shade rings. Trust me on this... it's way easier to thread the cord lock this way.

Thread the outer edge cord up through the center slot of the guide wires, over the small wheel and out the small opening of the Cord Lock.

It's easy to do if you hold the cord lock so that the the wires are pointing down toward the floor. This loosens the inner wheels. If you try to thread the lift cord when holding the cord lock upside down, the wheels are locked and you won't be able to push the cord through.

String the other lift cords through the other slots of the guide wires, trying to keep the same number of cords per slot. If one or more slots must have a higher number of cords, its best to use the slots located in the middle.

After the cord is threaded through the slot, the cord will go over the larger wheel and out through the larger hole.

Pull all the lift cords through the cord lock until you have the desired length of the pull cords hanging from the wires.

Tie all the lift cords together into one knot, just below the cord lock.

Now screw the cord lock into your dust board. Make sure you install the cord lock on the side of the roman shade you want your pull cords.

And be sure that the small hole with the side lift cord is pointing toward the outer edge.

Your dust board should have a screw eye installed and aligned with each lift cord.

The cord lock will be installed on the inside of the screw eye that aligns with the lone outer lift cord.

Now take each lift cord and thread it through it's corresponding screw eye and down through the shade rings.

Install a roman shade orb at the bottom of each lift cord. The roman shade orb will make it super fast to adjust the tension of the lift cord once you have the roman shade installed on your window.

Now, just install the dust board onto your window or wall. Slide the orbs so that the lift cords all have the same tension.

And you're done!

You can find this cord lock at DraperySewingSupplies.com.

You'll find 3 different sizes based on the number of lift cords your roman shade will have.

Click here to get your roman shade cord locks..

You can find the roman shade orbs at Roman Shade Supplies.

Roman shade orbs make adjusting the tension of your lift cords super easy! Normally, you would have to tie a knot on your bottom shade rings. Then if one lift cord is too loose or too tight, you'd have to untie the little knot and then retie... and so on. This may not sound like a big deal... until you have to do this 10 or more times!

Click here to get your roman shade orbs.