Roman shades offer a versatility shared by few other window dressings. They can be made from bamboo or wooden slats, woven jute, or fabric chosen to match any décor. They can be made of light filtering materials to allow some light through during the day, or they can be backed with a blackout fabric that blocks light entirely. While the cheapest jute shades are inexpensive, fabric shades can cost hundreds of dollars. To avoid the added cost, many people learn how to make roman shades for themselves. As well as being a more cost-effective option homemade roman shades allow for much greater customization to unique interior spaces as they can be made specifically to fit a window and to match the décor of a room.
There are two possible methods for making roman shades. The easiest method requires a length of fabric, a glue gun and a cheap woven jute shade bought to fit the window. Fabric should be measured and cut to fit the shade with a one-inch border. An additional piece of fabric is required to cover the decorative upper piece and this should be cut to fit with a one-inch border. Once the fabric is cut, lay it on the floor and lay the jute shade centered on top of it. Carefully wrap the fabric around the shade gluing the edge at the back as you go. Flip the shade over so it is right side up and retract it so that it is fully folded. Now take an iron and press along the folds. This will ensure that the shade will retract properly when it is hung. After the shade is done repeat the wrapping and gluing process with the decorative top piece and the roman shades are ready to hang.
Those who want to to make roman shades from scratch though, should use this slightly more involved method. The first step is to measure the window intended for the shades. Measure the width and height at two different points along the window and then use the smallest measurements. Two layers of fabric are needed, the main shade fabric and the lining. The main fabric should measure 1 3/4 inches wider than the window and 4 3/4 inches longer. The lining should be the same length but 1 inch narrower than the main fabric. Lay the main fabric down and center the lining fabric on top with a half-inch border on each side. Stitch both sides and then the top, leaving a half-inch seam allowance and pressing each seam open. Turn the shade right side out and hem the raw edge at half an inch. Hem again this time turning the bottom up two inches.
Now that the basic shade has been made, sew lengths of roman shade tube tape at 8-9 inch intervals along the back making sure that the top interval is 1 3/4 inches larger than the others are and the bottom interval is slightly smaller. Thread curtain cord in three lengths through the center loop and down the shade leaving a half-inch interval at each side. Tie the cords in a knot around the bottom and then insert plastic dowel rods through the tape at each interval and through the bottom hem. The rods should be half an inch narrower than the shade itself. Once they are in place fold the tube tape edges and sew them closed along with the bottom hem. Attach the top to a mounting board cut 1/4 inch narrower than the shade attach a cord pulley and thread the curtain cord through and the roman shade is ready to hang!
