How to Make Roman Shades: Easy DIY Guide for Stylish Window Treatments (2024)

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Bring fashion to your windows with personally made Roman shades. This easy DIY guide will walk you through creating custom window treatments that add elegance to any room.

You will learn how to measure, cut fabric, and construct the shades step by step. With basic sewing skills and a few materials, you will master how to make Roman shades.

Want to save some money or unleash your creativity? This step-by-step guide will get you started toward professional results.

Get ready to give a creative touch to home decor with handcrafted window treatments.

Materials and Equipment Needed

To create your own Roman shades, you’ll need decorative fabric, wooden dowels, and essential tools like a sewing machine and staple gun. These materials and equipment form the foundation for crafting stylish window treatments that’ll transform your space.

Decorative Fabric and Wooden Dowels

When making your own Roman shades, fabric selection is key. You’ll need about 2 yards of decorative fabric that complements your room’s style.

Pair this with four wooden dowels, typically 1/4" in diameter and cut to your shade’s width. These dowels create the classic folded look of Roman shades.

Consider the shade length and dowel spacing carefully – they’ll affect the final appearance.

For mounting options, you might need a 1×2" wood piece and brackets. Don’t forget small plastic blind rings for smooth operation.

Sewing Machine and Staple Gun

You will need a few basic tools in making your Roman shades. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

• A good sewing machine that can undertake accurate stitching
• Sharp needle & thread for hand-sewing details
• Fabric glue for quick repairs and decorations
• Wood staple gun to attach fabric onto mounting board
• Macramé cord, for edge ornamentation

These will help you gain mastery over a wide range of sewing skills in garment construction and choosing fabrics. Don’t be afraid to get creative with dowel alternatives or decorative embellishments. Of course, do remember proper equipment care for ease of activity along the way. Time to magically turn those windows into works of art!

Measurements and Fabric Preparation

Before you begin crafting your roman shades, accurately measure your window’s width and height, adding extra inches for hems and dowel pockets. Cut your chosen fabric to size, ensuring it’s 2 inches wider and 7 inches longer than your window measurements, then create neat 1/2-inch hems on the sides and bottom, leaving the bottom hem ends open for later adjustments.

Measure Window Dimensions

Ready to really get started on that DIY Roman shade? First off, we’re going to take some measurements of your window. With a tape measure in hand, record the height and width of your window frame.

For inside mounts, this means taking measurements at three points: top, middle, and bottom; then use the smallest measurement for a perfect fit. Consider light control and privacy when picking out your fabric.

Roman blinds in standard sizes ensure a tailored, professional look. Remember, it’s precise measurements that make all the difference in really great-looking window coverings.

Don’t skip over this part—it’s the hard work here that will make the rest of your project easy!

Cut and Hem Fabric

Now that you’ve measured your window, it’s time to cut and hem your fabric. You’ll want to add 2 inches to the width and 7 inches to the length for proper coverage. Here’s what you need to do:

• Cut your decorative fabric to size using sharp scissors
• Create 1/2-inch hems on both sides and the bottom
• Use hem tape or a sewing machine for a professional finish

Creating Dowel Casings

Now it’s time to create the dowel casings that will give your Roman shade its characteristic folds. You’ll sew evenly spaced pockets across the width of your fabric, then insert wooden dowels into these pockets to provide structure and support for your shade.

Sewing Dowel Pockets

Now it’s time to create those essential dowel pockets. Begin marking your fabric at 13-inch intervals, starting from the bottom. These marks are guides on where to sew.

Use your machine and sew a 1/2 inch seam at each marked beginning, leaving both ends open. This way, you can have perfectly sized pockets in which to place your dowels.

Make sure you pull so that your fabric is tight, and it always turns out looking really nice when it’s raised.

Ring placement comes next, so hang on!

Inserting Wooden Dowels

Now that you’ve sewn your dowel pockets, it’s time to insert the wooden dowels. This step reinforces your roman shade’s structure and creates those classic folds. Here’s how to do it:

1. Measure and cut your dowels to fit snugly inside each pocket.
2. Space dowels evenly, typically every 6-10 inches, for a uniform look.
3. Experiment with dowel material and spacing for unique pattern variations.

Slide each dowel into its designated pocket, ensuring it’s straight and centered. For extra reinforcement, consider using fabric-covered blinds or a sturdier bottom bar. This technique transforms your fabric into stylish, functional roman shades.

Secure Mounting and Install Brackets

You are going to need to mount that Roman shade securely for it to work right and look good. Add mounting brackets to the window frame or add eye screws to create a slick look. Fasten the shade carefully to those fixtures for a finished look.

Mounting Brackets and Eye Screws

Ready to secure your Roman shade? Let’s tackle the mounting brackets and eye screws.

For an inside mount, forget the brackets and go directly to the eye screws. Place pilot holes 3" from each end of your 1×2 wood piece, then screw in the eye screws.

For any type of outside mount, simply attach brackets 1" from each end.

Look at different fabric patterns and color options that will complement your space. It’s where mounting variation can really make a difference in getting that perfect look for Roman blinds.

Attaching the Shade to the Window Frame

Now it’s time to secure your shade to the window frame. You’ve got two mounting options: brackets or direct installation. For bracket mounting, position them 1" from each end and screw them in. If you’re going for a direct mount, carefully screw the shade into the frame. Don’t forget to add those eye screws 3" from each end for your blind rings. Here’s a quick checklist:

1. Position mounting brackets or mark screw placement
2. Secure shade using screws or brackets
3. Add eye screws for string mechanism

Stringing and Final Touches

Now it’s time to string your roman shade and add the finishing touches. You’ll thread the nylon string through the plastic rings and eye screws, then secure it with hooks or screws to keep your shade in place when raised.

Adding Nylon String and Plastic Rings

Now that your shade is securely mounted, attach a nylon string with plastic rings to associate the proper working and child safety standard. Fasten the rings into your fabric spaced apart, then feed through a nylon string through the rings to create a pulley/action system. Here’s a quick guide:

String Type	Tension	Ring Spacing
Ladder	Medium	6-8 inches
Pulley	High	4-6 inches
Table	Decorative	Low	10-12 inches

Finishing With Hooks or Screws

To finish off your DIY Roman shade, you’ll need to attach a good secure to it. Here’s how:

1. Install hooks or screws about 3 inches from each end of the mounting board.
2. Thread the nylon cord through the rings and the eye screws, leaving 6 extra inches on one side.
3. Adjust the shade to the desired height by drawing the strings and fastening them to the hooks provided.

The velcro strips give easy removal for an outside mount. Really take the time to decide on the style of your hooks. Decorative hooks can be a nice touch. Where you place your rings and proper string length are very important for how well a shade will operate. This roman shade tutorial will put you on top of window treatments.

Backing Fabric and Boning Segments

You’ll start by cutting your backing fabric to size and stitching 1-inch segment lines to create pockets for the wooden dowels. Once the segments are prepared, you’ll insert the dowels, marking and snapping them to the correct length to fit snugly within each pocket.

Cutting and Stitching Backing Fabric

Now that you have strung your shade, focus on the backing fabric. This layer gives shape and insulation to your roman shade. You’ll be using white backer fabric or blackout fabric for a more tailored look. Cut this to fit your window size, making sure to leave extra for seams. Sew a few stitch lines for the wooden dowels. Fast and Easy Tip:

Fabric Type	Pros	Cons
White Backer	Light, easy to work	Less insulation
Blackout	Good insulation	Heavy, expensive
Lined Drapes	Drapes are versatile, yet so elegant	A little bit harder to sew

Using your ruler, mark your fabric every so often, and then sew lines 1 inch apart to pocket the dowels.

Inserting and Marking Wooden Dowels

After stitching your backing fabric segments, it’s time to insert those wooden dowels. Measure and cut your dowels to fit snugly within each casing, ensuring they’re the right diameter for your fabric type.

Space the casings evenly, typically 6-10 inches apart, for that classic roman shade look. Mark each dowel’s length precisely before snapping them to size.

For cordless roman shades, consider reinforcing the casings with a thin nylon string.

Don’t forget to leave room at the top for attaching your shade to the 1×2" piece of wood later on.

Front Fabric and Hemming

Now prepare the front fabric of your Roman shade by cutting your decorative fabric to the size of your backing fabric, then match and hem it so as to give perfect, professional-looking results.

Cutting and Aligning Front Fabric

Now it’s time to focus on your front fabric—that will be the star of your DIY roman shades. Pick a fabric that will complement your decor by first considering the pattern, thickness, and color. If you’re working with a printed fabric, make sure to match the patterns to attain a seamless look.

Lay your chosen fabric out flat and place the backing fabric on top of this. Line the edges up very precisely, making sure they’re flush and level. This is an important step for your cordless fabric shades to look professional.

Make sure the width of material used is thicker if you want blackout blinds, or you can layer the fabrics to block out all the possible light.

Hemming to Match Backing Fabric

Now that you have squared your front fabric, it’s time to hem it based on the backing. Easily measure and fold edges to ensure a constant width of the hem. In doing so, consider the kind of fabric used in terms of your hemming technique.

For a look that’s really classy, try decorative stitching or see lining options. Add some creativity by using custom patterns in your hem for fun.

This step is important for a professional finish of the window treatment. As you do, remember that accurate hemming will make the difference in elevating your Roman shades from homemade to high-end.

Let’s get perfect edges!

Roman Blind Rings and Velcro

You’ll now attach the plastic or brass rings to your shade, spacing them evenly along each dowel casing to guide the cords. Next, sew a strip of Velcro along the top edge of your shade, which will allow for easy attachment to the mounting board and simple removal for cleaning.

Attaching Rings and Cord Guide Rings

Once you’ve hemmed your front fabric, attach your rings and guide rings. This will make your Roman shade move up and down smoothly.

On the back of your shade, mark the location for the rings, spacing them evenly apart. Then, sew plastic rings at the marks to create a cord channel.

Ring spacing affects the tension of the cords, so space them about every 6-8 inches vertically and horizontally.

Sewing Velcro to the Top Edge

Now that you’ve attached the rings, secure the place of your blind. Sew some Velcro to the top edge for easy installation and removal. Use good, sturdy Velcro to match your fabric choices and color combinations.

Line it up along the top edge carefully to ensure that it’s straight and even, then stitch firmly down with a thread to match your pattern choice. This step is important for proper blind function, so don’t rush.

Just remember that it will be the strength of the Velcro which will hold up your handsome creation, with your specially chosen ring material showcasing your fabric design.

Wood Trim Installation and Eye Screws

You’ll need to securely attach the 1×2 wood trim to the top of your window frame, ensuring it’s level and sturdy enough to support your Roman shade. Once the trim is in place, screw the eye screws into the bottom edge of the trim, spacing them evenly to guide the shade’s cord system.

Screwing on 1×2 Wood Trim

Now we get to wood trim—another chance to ensure that your Roman shade is well attached.

Pick up a 1×2 wood, which is typically styled in pine or oak, and get it cut to size at the width of your window. Mount it on top of your window frame, ensuring it is level.

Drill screws in with your drill, spacing them 12-16 inches apart. Choose a trim color that complements your decor—or paint it to match your wall.

While costs vary, this is a very inexpensive addition that provides a good, solid base for your new, upscale window treatment.

Attaching the Eye Screws to the Bottom

Now it’s time to attach the eye screws at the bottom of your wood trim. Be sure to space these appropriately, taking into consideration your shade’s material weight and mounting variables.

Space the eye screws about 3 inches from each end of the trim. This allows for the optimal length of string so that the operation will be nice and smooth.

Match these with appropriate ring types to complement your decor and that stand up to the weight of your fabric. As you screw them in, make sure they’re secure but not overtightened.

These small details will make a big difference in your shade’s functionality and appearance.

Final Installation and Usage

Now that you’ve prepared your roman shade, it’s time to attach it to the wood plank using the Velcro you’ve sewn onto the top edge. Once secured, carefully cut and insert the wooden dowels into each fold, ensuring they’re evenly spaced and snug within the fabric pockets you’ve created.

Attaching Blinds to the Wood Plank

Now it’s time to bring your DIY Roman shade to life! Line up the Velcro on your shade with the wood plank; iron firmly for a good hold.

Then carefully position the eye screws along the bottom of the plank, spaced so that there won’t be any imbalance and strain on some points.

Give it a little tug with the blind in place to test if the Velcro is holding well. Be accurate here; a well-attached shade won’t just look better but also function smoother.

You’re almost there, and your window is about to get a really stylish makeover!

Cutting and Inserting Wooden Dowels in Folds

Now it’s time to give your Roman shade its structure. Cut your wooden dowels to fit snugly inside each fabric fold, leaving a 1/4-inch gap on each side.

The dowel spacing should be 6-10 inches apart, depending on your fabric weight. For heavier fabrics, opt for closer spacing. Choose dowel diameter based on your shade’s width – typically 1/4 to 3/8 inch works well.

Carefully slide each dowel into its pocket, ensuring it’s centered. This step transforms your flat fabric into a functional, stylish shade that’ll elevate your room’s ambiance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)