Roman shades are a simple and elegant window treatment to block out the sun or disturb the neighbors. Nicer than simple plastic blinds, but less expensive than ornate blinds, Roman blinds provide the perfect start for a beginning home decorator.
Roman shades can be purchased at home improvement stores or department stores, or they can be custom made by an interior designer. The cheapest way to decorate your home with Roman shades is to make them yourself. Get ready to brush up on your math skills!
To make roman blinds, first measure the window you would like to place them on. Measure the height and width of the window from the inside of its frame. Or, if you want the blind to cover more than the window, measure the height and width of the area the blind will cover. Your shade will probably need to be between 45 and 54 inches wide.
Before you buy your fabric, you will need to calculate the number of studs and the amount of fabric you will need. To figure out how many cleats you’ll need, divide the height of the window by six to nine inches, which will be the space between each cleat of cleats. You will have to find a number that matches the height of the window. For example, if your window height is 64 inches, divide it by six. Then you will need eight dowels for eight pleats. Each pin needs 1.5 inches, so multiplied by eight, you’ll need an additional 12 inches of fabric. You’ll also need an additional six inches of fabric to mount the screen, which means you’ll need an additional 18 inches for this example. Add this to the height of your window to get your final height. Add two inches of fabric to the width of your window. Now you have the size of the fabric you need. Phew!
Next, the fun part: selecting your screen fabric. Shades without busy patterns are the easiest to work with because you won’t need to make sure the pattern blends perfectly with each crease. If your window receives light from the south, consider choosing an almost shear fabric. This will produce a warm, relaxing light in your room. Take a picture of your room, fabric samples of your furniture, and a paint sample of your room when you go shopping. You don’t want to finish making your Roman shade to find that it clashes with the rest of your room!
While you’re shopping for your fabric, shop for the rest of your supplies:
Curtain lining fabric. You will need an additional 0.25 inches to cover the mounting plate.
blind cord
window key
Quarter inch diameter window pins, 0.25 inches smaller than the width of the window
A wooden mounting board, 0.25 inches smaller than the width of the window, which is 1×2 inches.
Half-inch diameter shadow rings
screw eyes
stapler
Chalk Gold Air Soluble Marker
Criterion
The easiest way to make a shadow uses lots of pictures and few words. Find instructions at a home improvement store or for free online to make your own Roman shade. Find patterns that make the type of Roman shade you want, whether it’s flat, pleated or sunburst. You’ll probably need a sewing machine to make your Roman shade quickly, especially to attach the lining to the fabric. With patience you can make your own roman shade.
