To turn curtains into Roman shades, you will need the following supplies: fabric for the shade, a dowel rod, a screwdriver and mounting screws, a drill with a drill bit, scissors, ruler and measuring tape, a sewing machine or hand sewing needle and thread, fabric glue, and curtain rod clips or snap tape if you plan on using a tension rod.
Start by measuring the width of your window and adding at least 4 inches to that number for extra overlap. Next, cut the fabric using a ruler and scissors so that it is at least 1/2 inch wider than the window and twice as long as the window plus 4 inches.
Hem the top, sides and bottom of the fabric by folding each edge so that it measures 1/2 inch, then press it and pin it in place. Sew this hemline to the fabric. If you’d rather make a no-sew option, use fabric glue to hem the edges instead.
Once the edges are hemmed, measure the thickness of the dowel rod. Using the drill, create a hole in the middle of the fabric that is the same diameter as the dowel rod. Push the dowel rod through the hole at the top of the fabric, leaving a portion of the rod sticking out.
Using the drill bit, drill two holes into the wall or window frame that are the same distance apart. Secure the rod at the top of the window by inserting two mounting screws into the drilled holes.
Attach the curtain clips or snap tape around the dowel rod, spacing them evenly. Attach the Roman shade to the clips or snap tape and you’re all done!
Can I make a Roman shade from a curtain panel?
Yes, you can definitely make a Roman shade from a curtain panel! The process begins with choosing the right panel and gathering the proper supplies, such as fabric glue, a sewing machine, a yardstick, scissors, and mounting hardware for the window.
You should also have an iron and tailor’s chalk on hand to help with the measurements.
Begin by carefully measuring the window where the Roman shade will be hung. You’ll need to measure the width and length of the window, as well as the desired length of the finished shade. Once you have the measurements, cut the curtain panel to that size, being sure to leave a few extra inches on all sides.
Next, you’ll want to mark out the pleats on the panel. Measure 1-inch increments along the top and mark them with tailor’s chalk. Then on the back side of the panel, you’ll need to fold the fabric over and press with an iron.
Use fabric glue to secure the folded pleats in place and let it dry.
You’ll then need to attach the mounting hardware, being sure to leave a few extra inches on each side of the window for the hardware. Once that hardware is securely in place, you can use a sewing machine to finish the seam on each end of the panel.
Finally, you can hang your Roman shade onto the mounting hardware and enjoy the new look of your window space. With just a few tools and some basic sewing skills, you can create a beautiful and customized Roman shade from a curtain panel.
How do you make fake Roman blinds?
Making fake Roman blinds is a relatively easy and affordable decorating project that can instantly add style and sophistication to a space. To create the effect of a real Roman blind, you’ll need three main supplies: light-colored fabric, lining fabric, and a heavy-duty craft tape.
Step 1: Measure the window you’ll be covering with your fake Roman blinds. Add 6 inches to the width of your window and 8 inches to the height of the window, this additional fabric will be used for the headers and hems of the blinds.
Step 2: Cut the fabric, ensuring you have added the extra 6 inches and 8 inches to the width and height.
Step 3: Connect the two long sides of the fabric using a heavy-duty craft tape. You’ll need to pin the sides together to ensure a tight bond when the craft glue dries.
Step 4: Cut the lined fabric to the same size as the main fabric with the addition of the extra 6 inches to width and 8 inches to the height.
Step 5: Place the lined fabric on top of the main fabric and then connect along the long sides with the heavy-duty craft tape. Use pins to hold the sides together before the tape has dried.
Step 6: Create folds in the fabric by pinning along the top and then folding every 6-8 inches, this will be your faux blinds.
Step 7: Sew the header along the top of your Roman blind. To give the header a neat finish, fold the header back on itself and then sew along the sides of the header.
Step 8: Add Velcro or curtain hooks to the header, and insert a custom-cut dowel in the hem of your blind. Then hang your fake Roman blinds on your window and enjoy the instant style and sophistication they add to your room.
Can you make your own roman shades?
Yes, you can make your own roman shades. The process can vary depending on the type of shade you want to make. A basic flat roman shade can be constructed with minimal sewing skills, while a hobbled roman shade may require more expertise.
To make a basic roman shade, you will need fabric, shade lining, dowels, cord, cords lock, cord tassels, and necessary hardware. Begin by cutting the fabric and lining to size, leaving several inches of additional fabric for overlap.
Next, cut a seam along each side of the overlapping fabric, and down the center of the lining. Sew the lining to the backside of the shade fabric, leaving a small opening in the top to insert the dowels.
Insert the dowels, and sew the top closed. Afterwards, use the cords and cords lock to attach the shade to the window frame. Attach the tassels to the cords for an extra decorative touch. Making a hobbled roman shade is a little bit more challenging, with more steps involved.
Hobbled roman shades are made from rows of fabric that are folded and connected with rings, in a pattern that creates a beautiful curved look. There are many online tutorials which provide more detailed instructions for both basic and hobbled roman shades.
What kind of fabric do you use for Roman shades?
Roman shades are popular window treatments that often use fabric to create a tailored and stylish look. The type of fabric used for Roman shades will depend on the desired look and function of the shade.
Common fabrics used for Roman shades include cotton, linen, and silk due to their soft and durable qualities. Heavy fabrics such as suede, velvet, and jacquard are good choices for making Roman shades that offer good insulation and privacy.
Sheer fabrics are also used for Roman shades and provide a light and airy feeling to the room. Lightweight, sun-blocking fabrics such as blackout fabric are often paired with liners to create a luxurious look while providing a higher level of insulation and privacy.
Additionally, synthetic fabrics such as polyester and acrylic are also popular options for Roman shades due to their affordability and easy maintenance.
How do you make Roman shades without a dowel?
To make Roman shades without a dowel, you will need 2 rectangular pieces of fabric, an iron, a machine or hand sewing needle, scissors, fabric glue, and cord or drawstring. Begin by using your iron to press the fabric flat and fold the edges over to create a straight edge.
Next, take the two pieces of fabric and lay them one over the other, right sides together. Use fabric glue to secure the two pieces along the edge and corners. Use your sewing needle to stitch the two pieces together, making sure to use a small, tight stitch.
Now it’s time to create the channels that will hold the cord or drawstring that will allow you to open and close the shade. To do this, fold over the edges of the fabric, forming three-inch pleats on each side.
You will then stitch the pleats to secure them in place and provide a guide for the cord or drawstring. Finally, use your drawstring and thread it in and out of the pleats from the bottom up until it reaches the top of the shade, at which point it will be secure.
Congratulations — you have now successfully made Roman shades without a dowel!.
Are Roman blinds easy to make?
Yes, Roman blinds are relatively easy to make. The main steps involve cutting and sewing fabric to the correct size, attaching a dowel rod or other stiffening material for the ‘pleats’ of the blind, and installing it.
Most importantly, it’s important to ensure all the pieces are cut to the correct size and the material is strong enough to support the weight of the blinds.
To begin, measure and mark the fabric for cutting according to the desired dimensions, including the length and width of the blinds. Next, cut out an extra strip of fabric for the casing and attach it to the edges with a straight stitch or an overcast stitch.
Then, press and sew all the edges, including the hems along the bottom of the blind.
After that, cut a stiff material, such as a wooden dowel rod, to a size equal to the width of the blind. With the rod in place, sew the fabric together at 1” to 3” intervals along the rod. Next, attach a drapery tape to hold in the pleats securely and attach it to the top edge of the blind.
Finally, attach the blind to the top edge of the window by inserting a rod pocket at the back of the blind, inserting the rod edge through it, and adding a blind bracket on each side, which holds the rod in place.
Once all of these steps are complete, you’ll have a beautiful homemade Roman blind!.
How many yards does it take to make a faux Roman shade?
The amount of material you need to make a faux Roman shade depends on the size of the window. For a typical window, you will need approximately 4 to 5 yards of fabric, allowing for an extra yard to account for pattern matching and hems.
If you are making a Roman shade with a valance, you may need up to 6 yards of fabric. If the fabric is lightweight, you can get away with less fabric. To get the correct yardage, measure the width of your window, add 10 inches to account for overlaps, and then divide that number by the width of the fabric you are using.
This will give you the total number of yards needed for the shade.
Do you need rods in a roman blind?
Yes, rods are necessary for a Roman blind. These rods, often referred to as dowels or battens, provide structure and support to the blind and help it to remain in shape. The rods are typically made of plastic and are placed between each layer of fabric to hold it in the right position.
Without the rods, the fabric would not be able to stay taut and the blind would sag and not hang properly. Additionally, the rods often have screw holes in them that are used to attach the blind to the rod and hold it in place.
It is important that the rods fit correctly and are installed correctly to ensure that they are secured and stable. If they are too loose, the fabric will not sit properly and the blind may not hang correctly.
How far apart should the cords be on a roman blind?
The spacing of the cords on a Roman blind will depend on the size of the blind and the amount of fabric it is made up of. Generally speaking, the cords should be spaced evenly apart and be about 2.5 to 3 centimetres apart from each other.
However, this distance can be adjusted depending on the fullness or weight of the fabric. This can be easily adjusted by simply moving the cord along the hem. When measuring for the cords for a new blind, it is important to mark out their required positions before stitching them into place.
What size dowels Roman shades?
The size of dowels used for Roman shades depends on the size of the window and the type of shade. Generally, standard Roman shades require 1/2” thick dowels that are measured one inch shorter than the exact size of the window.
For larger windows, 1” dowels may be used and should be measured two inches shorter than the exact size of the window. Additionally, the length of dowel needed can be determined by subtracting two inches from the exact length of the shade fabric required.
When choosing the type of dowel, wood dowels are the more common choice, although metal dowels can be used as well.
Why do Roman shades cost so much?
Roman shades, an elegant and luxurious window covering, can be more expensive than other window treatments. This is due to the higher levels of design and detailing that goes into making them. Roman shades are made by hand and take more time and skill to construct than other window treatments, so they require higher labor costs.
Additionally, higher quality and specialty materials may be used in the construction of a custom-made Roman shade which makes them more expensive than other window treatments. Roman shades also come in many different colors, textures, and patterns, allowing homeowners to choose a unique and stylish window covering that stands out.
All of these factors combine to make Roman shades a more expensive window treatment than others, but the fact that they can last for many years makes them a worthwhile investment.