DIY Button Up Window Shades

6 Materials
$25
3 Hours
Medium

I made a pair of DIY Button Up Window Shades about 15 years ago for the living room of my first house. They were also made of a vintage floral fabric and are very similar to this new set that I made for my daughter's room. What I love about these shades is their versatility… you can style them several different ways. If you have basic sewing skills, these are pretty easy to make.


You will need the following tools:



  • scissors
  • rotary cutter (optional)
  • cutting mat
  • quilting ruler
  • measuring tape
  • iron
  • straight pins
  • hand sewing needle
  • seam ripper
  • sewing machine

Step 1.

Measure the windows and cut both the fabric and backing to those dimensions (mine were 30″W x 52″L).


Step 2.

Pin the right sides together and fold and press the shade's bottom fabric and backing a 1/2 inch outward.


Step 3.

Cut three 4 inch pieces of twill tape and form into loops. With the loops pointing up, pin the loops onto the bottom backing fold at the sides and in the middle.

Step 4.

Sew up the 2 sides using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, turn the shade right side out, pull out the loops and sew up the bottom.


Step 5.

At the top, fold the fabric and backing inward a half inch, then press and sew it shut.

Step 6.

Make a curtain rod channel by sewing another seam 1 1/2 inches from the top. Open the side seams with a seam ripper and insert the tension rod.


Step 7.

Hand sew three buttons at the very top of the backing fabric that are in line with the loops at the bottom.

Here's how it looks down

Remember I said these can be styled several ways? You have the option of adding a second row of buttons in the middle of the shade. Then, the shade can be buttoned up at two different lengths. 


For my daughter's room, I buttoned the shade to the top buttons and cinched it in the middle with a ribbon. Then I tied the ribbon in a bow to hold it in place.

I just love how pretty my DIY button up window shades look! If you love DIY home decor and crafts, please check out my blog, Zucchini Sisters, for more ideas and inspiration!

Resources for this project:
Fabric of your choice - 1 1/2 yards per shade
Backing fabric (I used linen) - 1 1/2 yards per shade
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Rebecca of Zucchini Sisters
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 questions
  • Karen Deer Karen Deer on Sep 21, 2020

    Can you plz show the other versions with buttons in the middle, etc?

  • Karen Deer Karen Deer on Sep 21, 2020

    Can u plz show version with buttons in the middle also?

  • Janie Janie on Sep 22, 2020

    Where is the buttoned up shade? Can we see it?


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2 of 6 comments
  • Barb Barb on Sep 23, 2020

    Made these years ago with no buttons, just ribbon over rod , tied to desired opening of shade; also version with two lengths of ribbon for larger window

  • Susan Grekso Susan Grekso on Oct 09, 2020

    Pretty

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