Things You'll Need:
- Needle and thread
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Pins
- Fabric (see below for instructions on measurement)
- Lining (same amount)
- Wooden/brass acorn
- Nylon cord (2x the length + width of blind)
- Pencil/chalk
- Wall cleat
- Velcro (2x width of blind)
- Strip of flexible plastic (1.25" shorter than width of blind, aprx. .5" in width)
- Wooden batten (1" x 1"x width of blind)
- Screw eyelets (three)
- Plastic rings (number depends on length of blind)
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Step 1
Measure and estimate fabric and lining quantities. First attach the wooden batten to the window--inside the top of the window sill for an inside blind, or above the window frame for an outside blind. Attach one length of Velcro to the end of the batten. Measure the distance from the top of the batten to the chosen Roman blind length. Add extra to this measurement, to account for the hem. This is the length of fabric you'll need for your blind. To calculate the width needed, measure the length of your batten and add additional material for seam allowance. Divide this number by the designated width of the fabric you've chosen (check with your salesperson on this width), and round up to the next whole number. This is the number of widths required. Allow an additional 2 inches for each seam.
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Step 2
Purchase fabric, lining and supplies at a local fabric store. Ask a salesperson for help measuring the width of the fabric you choose, to avoid mistakes. Remember that it's always a good idea to purchase extra fabric in case of mismeasurements or changes.
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Step 3
Cut the fabric to your measurements. Add 2 inches of seam allowance to the width measurement and 2 inches hem allowance to the length measurement before you cut. If you're going to be using more than one width of fabric for your Roman blinds, factor that as an additional seam measurement. Join the widths of fabric using a flat seam. Cut the lining to the same measurements.
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Step 4
Lay the fabric for your Roman blind on a clean, flat surface with the face (design side) up. Lay the lining on top of the fabric, with the wrong side (back) up. Match the edges, then pin the two pieces of fabric together. Then stitch down both sides and along the bottom, 1 inch from the edge of the fabric.
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Step 5
Trim the corners off the bottom of the Roman blind, and do another set of stitches along that edge. This set should be .25 inches from the end of the fabric. Slide your piece of flexible plastic into the space between the two rows of the stitches, with the flat side facing down. This is the flexible bottom of your Roman blind.
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Step 6
Remove the pins and turn the blind inside out from how you've had it. The right side of the fabrics should now face out. Iron the fabric, and make sure you flatten out any seams. Then lay the fabric on your flat surface again, with the lining on top.
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Step 7
Lay the plastic rings along the two sides of the Roman blind, 2 inches from the edge of the fabric, at 8-inch to 12-inch intervals. Carefully stitch them into the fabric. Use small stitches, and catch both the lining and outer fabric of your Roman blind in these stitches.
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Step 8
Pin the "sew" side of your second length of Velcro to the top of the Roman blind, and stitch it on. Hang the blind by pressing this Velcro to the corresponding Velcro on the wooden batten.
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Step 9
Screw the eyelets into the wooden batten--one above each set of rings, and one at the side of the window frame. This third eyelet will operate the Roman blind. Cut the piece of nylon cord into two equal sections. Knot one length to each bottom ring, and thread the cord up through the rings. At the top of the Roman blind, thread the sections through the eyelets on the batten, and over to the side of the window where the blind's cord will hang. Trim the edges of the cords so that they're even, and thread them through the acorn. Knot them to secure.
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Step 10
Put a cleat in the window sill for securing the Roman blind's cord.
