An apparatus (41) for forming fabrics for use, by way of example, in coverings for architectural openings includes a system for handling single or multi-layered fabrics by suspending the fabric from a lift tower (44); threading the fabric (46) through various clamp systems within a housing (42) for the apparatus, and subsequently forming horizontal rows of hobbles (54), tunnels (56), and/or attached rings by gripping and releasing the fabric with a vacuum clamp, upper (66) and lower clamps, and a tucker blade clamp while a reciprocating tucker blade forms horizontal tucks in the fabric. The tucks which are selectively treated by forming a tunnel or attaching guide rings. Hobbles (54) can also be formed in one layer of the fabric through use of the vacuum clamp which gathers a portion of one layer of the fabric while the other layer is handled differently. In doing so, hobbles are formed between tucks in the fabric with the hobbles establishing a fabric resembling a Roman shade.
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