The Designer wants a 6” skirt on the balloon. The window will finish at 71”. How do I figure my cut length? And where I start my first ring at the top of the skirt, how far will the next ring be?
With only a 6” skirt, not much will show. That is why the information on page 2D-12 tells you the skirt should be 12” to 15”. The shade fullness will droop down probably 6”. You shouldn’t change the ring placement. They should be as the pattern states. You can make the pleats smaller. It is the pleats (fullness) that control how much will droop down. Do a mock up with pleats only 6” to 8” (total). See if you like the results. The skirt is doubled, plus 1” for seams. If you choose, you can sew lining to the back.

If my treatment finishes at 71” and my skirt is 12” let’s say, do I figure finished length plus the skirt?
Your shade will need a 1 1/2” allowance at the top for board mounting. 1 1/2” will also be used at the bottom of the shade. Your finished shade length will be less the skirt depth (finished skirt depth). Allow extra.