DIY Roman Shades

A friend of mine had already done this in her home, and I really liked the way it turned out. I also liked that she told me it was easy to do. So here is my how-to. Please forgive the beautiful wood work around the window. It is in need of some attention as well, but privacy has been placed above the aesthetics for now.

Helpful Hints: The amount of fabric needed depends on the size of the window opening. Measure the size of the window opening, both width and length. Add a few inches around on each side. Make sure that when purchasing fabric, to take into account some fabrics have a certain pattern that dictates the top. As seen in the picture below. Be sure to follow this advice.

 

Step 1: Gather Supplies

        Supplies List
                Fabric
                Scissors
                Ruler
                Tacky Glue
                Hot Glue
                Pencil
                Vinyl Blinds



 

 

 

Step 2: Measure the windows opening. Mine was 35" wide X 40.5" long

 

Step 3: Measure and cut the fabric. The blinds I purchased were 35" wide according to the package but actual measurement was 34.5". I added 1" to the width to allow for the hem/ folded over fabric. For the length I added two inches. So I cut my fabric a total of 35.5" wide X 42.5" long.



 

Step 4: Once the fabric is cut I marked my lines. These are the lines that will mark where each blind will go. Since the length of the window was 40.5", I rounded down to 40 and decided to make a fold every five inches for a total of 8 folds.

Make the first mark 2" down from the top, 1" to fold over and 1" for the top rail. This line is to mark where the bottom of the top rail will be.

The second line will be marked 4.5" down from that. I have included the extra half inch that I previously rounded down on.

The remaining lines will be 5" inches from the second line and the remaining previous lines until you reach the end, in which there should be one inch left below the last line. You should have a total of 9 lines.

 

 

Step 5: Prepare the blinds. Cut the skinny strings that allow for the blinds to rotate. Keep the thick cords that pull the shade up and down in tact. Once the strings are cut, remove the bottom slat and all but 7 mini blinds. Place the bottom slate back onto the pull strings. Place the blinds on to the upside down fabric, we will be working from the back.

 Pull the strings down until the plastic stoppers reach the top rail.

 Add the Bottom Rail and pull the strings taught and mark just above the bottom slat. Slide the bottom slat up, and tie a knot on the mark. Slide the bottom slat back down onto the knot.

 

Arrange the top rail, the 7 vinyl slats, and the bottom slats on their lines. To look as the picture below. 

Use the hot glue gun and tack the fabric onto the vinyl slats, the top rail and the bottom rail. NOTE: Before doing this or just after tacking the top rail down, make a small slit where the draw strings can be threaded through to the front. Then thread the strings though. This will keep them out of the way.

On the top slat, make a cut by the bottom and fold the fabric in and glue down as shown in the picture.

Use the tacky glue between the slats, and behind the slats so that they remain in place along the fabric.

Install the clips that came in the vinyl blinds package into your window frame and hang your shades. There will be plastic clips to hold it in place. I made a cut at the top so that they could be slip in. A grommet can also be added where the strings come out the front side for better appearance.

Once the shade is dry, you will need to "train" the shade to make pretty folds. To do this, pull the string up so that the shade is open. Then pull the folds out so that they are even, as shown in the pictures below. Leave it open for awhile so that the folds will come back the same next time it is opened.

 

 

If you have any questions let me know. I would love to help!