Roman shades are a beautiful and simple way to treat the windows of your home. They can let in as little or as much light as you need, and they’re easily customizable to fit the decor of your home. I’ve put together a tutorial on how to make roman shades yourself. Good luck!
How To Make Roman Shades
1. First you’ll need to gather your materials. For this version of roman shades you’ll need blinds to fit the window, fabric of your choosing, fabric glue, scissors, clothespins, and a small paint brush.
2. Once you’ve gathered your materials, you’ll need to cut the fabric to fit the blinds. But first you need to know how wide and long to make the fabric. Cut the thin string that keeps the slats lined up. Image via Domestically Speaking.
3. Next, decide how many folds you want in your shade and how far apart you want them. Take out all the slats except the ones where you want the folds. Then tie the string after the last one. Image via I Heart Nap Time.
4. Now you can finally cut your fabric. Lay the blinds out on the fabric and cut around leaving a few inches around the sides. Image via Simply Mrs. Edwards.
5. Now you need to glue the slats to the fabric. Use the paint brush so that you cover the entire slat. You don’t want these falling off! If you need to secure this while it dries, use the clothespins. Image via Better Homes & Gardens.
6. Now you’ll need to finish the edges of the shade as well. Just use the fabric glue to make a nice clean edge. Image via Made 2 Style.
7. Now you can hang up your roman shade! With that quick and easy tutorial you’ve got a beautiful roman shade at a fraction of the price! Image via Better Homes & Gardens.
I would like to know if anyone has done this and does it work as easily as it seems?
Yes, I have wanted to do this for over a year and now I have one up on my window. The first one took some time as to make sure it fits the window right and it was worth it! Now the next window has all measurements done n it should not take as long. The first one took about 4 hours and the window is 26-1/2″ w x 67-1/2″ L. Once I got the ‘spacing’ measurements for each mini blind n finished length, I was good to go.
I just did one; worked great but I used two sided carpet tape; super simple. A large table or work surface is necessary to keep everything straight.
What’s two sides carpet tape? Is it used to stick rugs to the floor?
Double stick carpet tape
2 sided carpet tape, I’m wondering how long it will last. In my experience you can’t beat good old glue.
Yes I have made a couple of these. Not hard to do. The only thing I dislike is that they look unfinished on the back side, so if you don’t like that unfinished look you would have to repeat the process on the back.
These shades are so expensive to buy!! Find your crafty side and go for it!!
I’m curios what this looks like from the outside? I’m wondering if anyone has tried lining it so that it’s just as pretty for your neighbors as it is for you.
Typically it’s just a white from the outside, though I’m sure you could use another pattern!
I have made 3 and it’s soooooo easy. After the first one, the next 2 were easier. I lined the material with white muslim type material and the blinds were white so it just looks white, not bad.
I am using a linen fabric – since the fabric is thin, what type of glue should i use that won’t show through the right side when it dries? I used E6000 glue and when it dried the right side of the fabric shows the glue as if it were wet. The roman shade turned out great – but when all the way down – glue lines appear across each slat that i glued. Any ideas on what type of glue to use on Linen?
Perhaps try using the iron on hem tape, that may do the trick. Test it on some scrap material first to see if it works
Other sites I have viewed have suggested using Mod Podge. I haven’t tried it yet but that is what I’m going to use when I make my first attempt at making a Roman shade using blinds.
I wish there were a way to sew “pockets” for the blinds rather than using glue. I know you can’t encase them in fabric, as the cords are on the back, but maybe some occasional tabs sewn on can hold them in place? But then will the stitching look bad on the front? I also want to line them to keep the sun out, so I find it hard to believe that the glue will penetrate enough through both fabric layers to keep them on the blind vane nicely and long term. Also, glue may yellow with time. I’m afraid to try this, although people seem to have had good results.
Maybe use velcro pieces instead
Could these be lined on the back to hide the slats, or would they not work properly?
I have been researching myself and have found one that may help if you are still looking. I pinned it. Jan Landolt
I’d love to see your pin Jan. Can you please send it to me please?