How to Make Roman Blinds

If you want to immediately change the look of your room, window treatments are an inexpensive, quick solution. And Roman blinds are a great choice.

You can have them installed by professionals or purchase them ready-made and install them yourself. If you are feeling creative, you might decide to make Roman Blinds. We will discuss some of what you will need to do this project. Exact instructions will be different depending on the type of Roman blind you want to make and the dimensions of your window. You need to know at least what is involved before you decide to make Roman blinds.InstructionsThings You'll Need:

• Fabric, depends on window size and type of Roman blind.
• Lining Fabric, same amount
• Plastic rings, or ring tape
• little screw hooks, at least 4
• Cord
• cord-locking hardware or a metal cleat to tie the cords around to secure
• 1" BY 2" BOARD, SIZE OF WINDOW OPENING

1. Step 1

   So, you want to make Roman blinds. The first thing you need to do is determine the type of Roman blinds you want to make. There are flat, lined Roman blinds, butterfly Roman blinds, hobbled Roman blinds, relaxed Roman blinds, slatted Roman shades and balloon shades. These all are made with the same principle, but different technique. The best one for a first-time project is the flat, lined Roman blind.

2. Step 2

   A Roman blind is basically a fabric panel that has little plastic rings attached in a regular pattern on the back. Cords are run through the rings and then along the board at the top, through little metal screw rings. The cords, when pulled to raise the shade, pulls the shade up in a pleated manner. The type of pleats resulting from the cords being drawn depend on the style of shade.

3. Step 3

   The plastic rings could be replaced with a tape that could be sewed or applied with adhesive that saves the tedious sewing of all those little rings. The advantage of the tape is that it is easier to avoid an error that will cause the shade to hang askew when the cords are drawn to raise the blinds. If you want to make Roman blinds, the tape might be a good choice for the first project.

4. Step 4

   For basic flat, lined Roman shades, you usually measure the width of the window and have your board cut to that dimension. You will also need to calculate fabric needs. You will need the width and length of the window plus one inch extra allowed all around. You will need this amount of lining and decorative fabric to make Roman blinds.

5. Step 5

   Fabric choice is quite variable. You can use everything from velvet to a thin, sheer fabric, but you must be conscious of what kind of Roman Shade you want to make. the heavier fabrications may not hang correctly, for instance, as balloon shades. You need a lining fabric, keeping in mind the view from the curb.
   If you are utilizing your Roman blind as a sheer behind other window treatments, you will want a thinner fabric. But, if you are intending to enjoy the sun-blocking and nosy-neighbor-blocking benefits of roman shades, then you need to think about using a more opaque fabric.

6. Step 6

   The hardware you choose to use is up to you. The Roman Shade hardware looks complicated, but really just pulls the cords to one side and locks them when the shade is drawn up to keep it in position. You can omit this hardware and tack a little metal cleat to the trim around the window to wrap the cords around when the shade is drawn up.

7. Step 7

   The actual steps involved vary according to style, but a flat blind is sewn wrong sides together, turned, and the rings applied. They are usually around 7 inches apart. That again can vary. The fabric is attached to the board, metal screws put in to direct the cord to the side, and you are ready to hang it!

Tips & Warnings

• Once you learn how to make Roman blinds, you will probably make them for all of your windows.