Roman Shades – Ten Easy Steps to Making Roman Shades – Sewing Machines Los Angeles

If you want to change the look and feel of your home, window treatments and paint are two of the least costly and simplest ways to do it.  While Roman Shades can be a little bit on the pricey side if you buy them at a store, they can also be easy enough for an amateur sewer to make. Making homemade Roman Shades is not the most simple project, in fact it is moderately difficult.  It may take the beginner some extra time to get the steps down.  If this is the first time you will be making Roman Shades, it might be a good idea to start this project with inexpensive fabric.  If you master this set of Roman Shades, then you can move on to making shades with more costly materials.

Things you will need:  Your choice of fabric, the same amount of lining fabric, a tape measure, a pair of scissors, a sewing machine, small curtain rings, cord to be used to raise or lower the Roman Shades, eye hooks, a staple gun, lightweight board for mounting, a dowel that is the same width as your fabric.

1. Measure your windows.  The success of this project will hinge completely on how accurate your measurements are. Start by measuring the whole perimeter of the window. The perimeter is the total of all sides of your window added together. Add to your numbers 4 inches on the width and 9 inches lengthwise. Have someone help you with the measurements so that you can be sure they are correct. Cut the fabric for the shades and the fabric for the lining to match your measurements.

2. Place each fabric right side out and lay it on your table. Pin the fabrics to get them ready for hemming, folding in 1 inch on each side widthwise and 3 inches on the bottom lengthwise.  Place a hot iron on fabric (test first) and iron a crisp line along each hem.

3. Using a simple stitch, sew the top and bottom of the shade.  Make a pocket for the curtain rod by sewing another line ¾ of an inch below the first stitching.  Judge the placement of your curtain rings by measuring 6 inch intervals across the width of the Roman Shades.

4. Sew the rings on using a zigzag stitch. Add the shade cord by threading it through the rings, knotting the cord at the bottom.

5. Using the same measurements you used to place your curtain rings, mark your mounting board to match. Screw in the eye hooks by hand

6. Use your staple gun to adhere the Roman shades to the board.

7. Thread the shade cord into the hooks

8. Put the dowel rod into the pocket that you sewed

9. Put the shade on your window

10. Stand back and enjoy your handiwork! It is amazing what a little time and patience can do.  Now you are ready to do the rest of the windows.