How Can I Make Roman Shades?

Custom roman shades add a personal touch to a space.

Roman shades are a versatile window covering for any environment. "They work almost anywhere," according to an article in Martha Stewart Magazine. "Their lines are perfect for small windows, in which elaborate treatments might be too busy, and for large ones, in which they can complement a room without overpowering it." Roman blinds look best when they're made specifically for the size and shape of the window, and sewing them is a fast and easy weekend project.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric (for the front)
• Lining (for the back)
• Doweling
• Plastic rings
• Acorn
• Wall cleat
• Nylon cord
• Industrial Velcro
• Wooden batten
• Eyelets
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Drill
• Screws
• Fabric marker
• Staples
• Glue
• Needle

Instructions

Sewing the Blind

1. Calculate the width of the fabric by measuring the width of the window frame and adding a 2-inch seam allowance. For the length, divide the length of the window by five, add that number to the length, and add a 2-inch seam allowance. For example, if the window is 40 inches high, add 8 inches and a seam.

2. Cut the fabric and lining to the measured size. If the shade is longer than the width of the fabric, sew pieces of the fabric together. If doing this, keep a full length of the fabric in the middle and add equal sections to the top and bottom. Pin the fabric to the lining, with the right sides facing inward. Smooth out all wrinkles, ironing the fabric if necessary. Sew the fabric to the lining along both sides and the bottom, leaving a 1-inch seam.

3. Sew a second strip along the bottom of the piece 1/4 inch from the raw edge. This creates a pocket for the first dowel. Insert the dowel into the space between the two bottom stitches. Take out all the pins and turn the piece right side out. Iron the seams and re-pin the layers together.

4. Start 2 inches down from the top raw edge and divide the shade's length into equal sections of about 10 inches long, with the bottom section half the size of the other sections. On the lining side, draw lines across the length of the fabric to indicate the sections using a fabric marker. Set aside.

5. Cut pieces of the lining fabric 3 inches wide and the length of the blind. Cut one piece for each marker line on the blind. Fold each strip in half, right side inward, and sew along the top and right edge, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn the strips right side out and iron. These are the dowel pockets.

6. Pin the dowel pockets along the marker lines, with the edge of the pockets 1/2 inch above the marker lines. Sew along the marker lines, keeping the stitching as straight and as unobtrusive as possible to keep the fabric side looking neat. Insert a dowel into each pocket and sew up the open pocket edge.

7. Hand-sew plastic rings to each dowel pocket at intervals of about 10 inches, creating three or four vertical rows of rings. Ensure that each line is perfectly straight. Finish the top edge by folding the rough edge under by 1 inch and ironing the seam. Cut a strip of Velcro the length of the shade and sew it along the top edge.

Hanging the Blind

1. Cut a strip of wooden batten (measuring 1 inch high by 1 inch wide) the length of the window frame and screw it to the top of the window, either on the underside of the frame or above the opening.

2. Take the other half of the Velcro cut for the shade and attach it to the front side of the batten. Even if the Velcro is self-adhesive, consider affixing it with glue or staples to ensure it doesn't begin to sag. Attach the blind to the batten by attaching the Velcro.

3. Screw an eyelet into the underside of the batten directly above each row of plastic rings. Cut a length of nylon cord for each row of plastic rings. Knot each cord to the bottom plastic ring and run it up through each ring and through the eyelet at the top.

4. Run the cord through each eyelet at the top to bring all the cords to one side. So, if the cords are to be gathered at the right, the rightmost cord will only go through one eyelet, while the leftmost cord will go through all of the eyelets.

5. Gather the cords together and trim to the same length. Add the acorn to the end of the collective cord and knot it in place. Screw the cleat onto the wall beside the window. To open the blind, pull downward on the cord and wrap it around the cleat in a figure-eight pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose fabric that is appropriate for the room in which the shade is being installed. If it's for a bedroom, for example, think about opting for a heavier fabric that will block out the morning sun.

• Make sure the dowel is slightly shorter than the length of the shade so it doesn't poke out of the fabric.

• When drawing lines across the fabric to indicate the sections, make sure the lines are parallel to the bottom of the shade and to the other sections. If a line is askew, it will be noticeable in the final result.

References

• "Martha Stewart Living": Make Your Own Roman Shades; June 2006
• Alternative Windows: Making Roman Blinds Instructions
• HGTV: How to Sew a Roman Shade