Sew a DIY Roman Shade

11 Materials
Learn to make yourself some personal DIY window covering to add some pizzazz to your decor.
Turn a a piece of fabric into a roman shade the easy way!!


First, you will want to cut your fabric 2" wider than you want your shade to be, and 7" longer.
Now, press the sides and bottom of the fabric over 1/2" to the wrong side. Fold another 1/2" and press again. Sew these hems down. Remember to leave the two ends of the bottom hem open so you can slide a dowel through it later.
Next, we will make the rest of the dowel canings. Subtract 3' off of the remaining height of your fabric (this is for stapling your blind to your wood later on) and divide that by 4. The resulting number will be how far apart you will make each dowel casing. Start measuring from the bottom, and mark where your dowel will be with a pin,
Fold your blind right sides together at each mark and pin. Sew a 1/2″ seam at each mark and then insert a dowel into each casing you’ve created.
Next, hand sew the small blind rings onto the blind. Sew one on each side of the dowel casing, about 3″ from each end.
Prep the wooden hanger by screwing on the brackets about 1″ from each end, and screwing in the eye screws about 3″ from each.


Staple the fabric blind to the piece of wood.
Finally, it’s time to tie on the nylon string that will pull the drape up and down. Use the photo above as a guide, and tie one end of the string onto the bottom right ring. Thread it upwards and through each ring above, through the right eye screw, through the left eye screw, and down through all of the remaining rings on the left. Leave at least 6″ of extra string and cut off the rest.


For the left side, tie one end of the string to the bottom left ring, thread it up and through each ring above, through and over the top left eye screw, and then back down through all of the rings on the left again. Leave extra string and cut off the rest.
Mount your roman shade above your window using the brackets.


And now you're done!
Suggested materials:
  • 2 yards decor fabric
  • 4 wooden dowels that are 1/4' in diameter and are as wide as you want your shade
  • A 1 x 2 piece of wood that’s as wide as you want your shade
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Christina Dennis
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 7 questions
  • Denise Denise on Jun 18, 2019

    What if I want to make a curtain only I’m not a seamstress I can sew on buttons cross stitch that’s it! Easiest way to do with minimum sewing

  • Lisa Lisa on Jul 09, 2020

    Do you have a picture of the completed project?

  • Gmsmot Gmsmot on Dec 22, 2022

    Hello,

    I’ve been looking for a clear set of instructions to try my hand at diy Roman shades. Your instructions seem clearer than many others!! Since your shades have the rings sewn on the dowel casings, do you think adding a layer of insulating batting in between the decorative fabric and liner would keep the shades from operating and hanging as they should? Maybe it would be too bulky? Thanks for the great instructions!



Comments
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2 of 23 comments
  • Maryann Ruta Maryann Ruta on Jun 29, 2020

    I did this to my shades probably 20 years ago , and it is easy as pie to do

  • Connie Siebert Connie Siebert on Jul 31, 2020

    I love your instructions and clear pictures. I have my supplies written down. Some supplies I have. I've been wanting to make one of these. All other instructions made it look hard. I'm off to look for fabric. Thanks so much. 💓

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