How to Apply a Fabric Roller Shade

Fabric changes the look of an ordinary vinyl roller shade dramatically. For a small investment, anyone can customize the look of a boring room. For the price of a simple vinyl roller shade and fabric, you will have an elegant window treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Vinyl shade
• Staple remover
• Measuring tape
• 1 yard of fabric for shade's front (depending on shade's size)
• 1 yard of lining fabric (depending on shade's size)
• Tailor's pencil
• Scissors
• Iron
• Sewing machine with matching thread
• 1 yard fusible webbing (or enough to line four sides)
• Fabric glue
• Trim (optional)

Instructions

1. Remove the shade from the roller rod. The material is usually stapled in place. Take the measurements of the removed vinyl shade with an additional inch added to the width and length. Lay your front fabric and lining fabric, right sides facing down, and mark according to the measurements. Cut both pieces to size and iron.

2. Fold the lining fabric sides and bottom edge 1/2 inch toward the back side. The fold will be your hem. Iron the hem and sew a straight stitch around the three sides of the fabric. Repeat this step with the shade's front fabric.

3. Apply the fusible webbing to the back side of the lining fabric according to the webbing manufacturer's instructions. Peel the webbing paper and attach the shade's front fabric onto the webbing with the fabric's right side facing up. Make sure the lining and front fabric are aligned along the edges. If correct, you will have a sandwich with the lining on the bottom, webbing in the middle and the front fabric on top.

4. Take the roller rod from the original vinyl shade and apply a line of fabric glue from end to end. Lay the rough end of the fabric sandwich on the roller rod along the glue line. Press the fabric in place and roll once. Apply another line of glue onto the fabric sandwich, again, from end to end on the roller rod. Roll the fabric sandwich once more. Allow the glue to dry.

5. Roll the shade and hang. Attach a horizontal line of ribbon, fringe or other trim, with fabric glue, to the bottom edge of the shade for an added touch. In addition, a tassel pull could be glued or sewn to the center bottom.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash the shade's front and lining fabrics before beginning the project. Otherwise, the fusible webbing may not work if the fabric has a finish on it.

References

• Custom Fabric Roller Shade
• Roman Shade Supplies and Tutorial

Resources

• Great Home Decorating Ideas