Apparatus and method for use in making light filtering window shades

An apparatus to aid in the making of a light filtering window shade from shade fabric comprised of a series of longitudinal vane members having their longitudinal edges respectively secured to front and rear fabric panels, the apparatus comprising:

• an assembly table, said assembly table having first and second ends with said first end adapted to facilitate the cutting of the shade fabric to a desired length;
• a roller tube positioning rail releasably securable to the assembly table, said positioning rail releasably receiving a roller tube having one end of the shade fabric secured thereto, said positioning rail permitting the roller tube, and the shade fabric secured thereto, to be set-off a predetermined distance from said first end of said assembly table, said positioning rail maintaining the roller tube generally parallel to said first end of said assembly table, said roller tube positioning rail including a first roller tube clamp and a second roller tube clamp, said first and second roller tube clamps engaging the roller tube and releasably securing the roller tube to said positioning rail;
• and
• a cutting rail positioned at said first end of said assembly table, said cutting rail positioned generally parallel to said roller tube positioning rail when said positioning rail is releasably secured to said assembly table, said cutting rail permitting shade fabric attached to a roller tube releasably secured to said roller tube positioning rail to be cut to a desired length such that the cut edge of the fabric is generally parallel to the roller tube.