This is not a tutorial.

That will come later. But first, let me tell you a couple of things I've learned about Roman Shades. Just a few "dos and don'ts" with some sage wisdom peppered in.

• DO plan on several days of tears. 
• DO attempt this yourself. It's not as bad as it looks.  
• DO NOT plan on making your living and dining room your first attempt at Roman shades. I suggest the laundry room, garage or attic. Definitely not across from the toilet, the couch, or your usual chair at the dining room table. 
• DO plan on saving approximately 90% of your window treatment dollars by doing it yourself. (I estimate we're saving about $1100. Booyah.)
• DO buy several bottles of your favorite libation and a package of Double Stuf Oreos. You're gonna need them. 
• DO NOT yell at your machine. Whisper sweet words. Sweet words.
• DO realize that it takes two people to hang these suckers. You might try the libation/Oreo/sweet words trick on your husband for the weeks preceding "The Big Hang." 
• DO NOT despair. Someone, somewhere has uglier Roman shades than you. Right???
• DO think often about the energy costs you'll be saving once you get these puppies hung. 
• DO save the Hobby Lobby coupon in your phone for your multiple trips to buy everything you forget. Or throw away in your Oreo haze. 
• DO NOT expect to get the shades sewn or hung with children in the house. 
• DO lock them all on the back deck and scatter some Goldfish about for the baby. 
• DO NOT listen to the haters. They're everywhere.