How to Make a Roman Shade

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Roman shades give windows a clean look that goes well with many styles from traditional to modern. With the method shown here, there’s minimal stitching visible on the front.
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Music: ""Daily Beetle"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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[@onlinefabricstore]

Shop Online Fabric Store: www.onlinefabricstore.net/ Visit OFS Maker's Mill: www.onlinefabricstore.net/makersmill/ Check out our selection of drapery fabric: www.onlinefabricstore.net/application-drapery.aspx?type=fabric Feel free to comment, like, and subscribe!

[@carolkneale1995]

OnlineFabricStore.net looks like I will be able to make this. What do I need to do to make it a top down shade?

[@johnherron2925]

OnlineFabricStore.net q

[@lydiamarumura844]

Where are you located I want to order roman shades cordlocks

[@angelav2906]

I made 2 blinds following this instruction and they look very nice indeed. Her instruction is very good and clear (even for a beginner).

[@onlinefabricstore]

Wonderful!

[@DAButera2]

Very nice instruction. Just a word of advice on the hardware and fabric. The sunlight broke down my white plastic rings. They became brittle and broke within 5 years. My silk fabric also started to fray apart. If you can get metal or UV resistant parts, do so to preserve your work.

[@onlinefabricstore]

Thanks for the tips Debra!

[@jaywesselink8709]

Over a few years, just the friction of the cord running through the plastic rings cut through the plastic rings. I replaced them with metal rings.

[@3TESLA]

I was wondering about the plastic rings since I live in Florida. The sun down here is brutal. Thanks so much for the tip! I really like this shade.

[@KittenBowl1]

That’s why most professionally made custom draperies are made of UV resistant speciality fabrics. The rings etc aren’t exposed to sun but hidden behind a lining fabric also UV resistant fabrics. These fabrics aren’t usually available in a fabric store though but from a custom drapery companies.

[@kelley515]

Thanks so much for this video! I made a beautiful Roman blind for a large window upstairs. The project went very smoothly, despite my limited sewing experience. With your instruction, I sewed my blind like a pro!

[@onlinefabricstore]

Awesome! Glad we could help :)

[@susanwenzel9516]

Love this video. So well done. However you forgot one important supply item: the stitch ripper. For those of us who fail to follow the directions precisely. 😂

[@onlinefabricstore]

So true!

[@dchoyas]

This was one of the best instructions on roman shades. I made two of these in our office room and they look fantastic, very professional. Thank you so much!

[@caitiebarber8567]

5 stars! I just finished my 4th Roman shade using this tutorial. Thank you OFS for making such a user friendly pattern! The only issue I had using this pattern was with the stitch witchery. I was not able to get it to stick well enough to hold the dowel..maybe in the short term but def not long term. Instead, I sewed the pockets on. Luckily my fabric and colour matched thread allowed for the stitching to be hidden. Just an idea if anyone encounters the same problem.

[@3TESLA]

I was thinking about that with the Stitch Witchery. I've had the same problem with that in years past. I think I will do the pockets like you suggest.

[@randaalrisheq5131]

The best video to explaining how to make the best curtains very professional

[@merrelspencer214]

This is by far the best instructions of a Roman shades I have watched. Yes you can use what apply metal rings vs plastic rings make your own dowel holder or buy the iron one. The point is she was very clear on her instructions. Thank you young lady

[@onlinefabricstore]

Thank you!

[@cameronrandall7926]

I am an intermediate sewer. Followed the instructions carefully (had to watch/replay a few times on some sections). I now have 2 AMAZING roman shades that look close to professionally made. Wonderful tutorial. Thank you :)

[@onlinefabricstore]

YAY we are so happy to help!

[@zoltanhogye4706]

great tutorial.I watched a bunch of other videos but they were either awfully long or confusing. this one explained the process perfectly. thank you:)

[@bullseyejack]

This is the best video on making roman shades that I have seen. I've made them before, but it's been a while, so I was brushing up on the method. Well done!

[@carolwoods253]

Thank you for these instructions. Your clarity and brevity are very much appreciated. The fabric is gorgeous and inspiring! I'm making my own Roman shades and I am doing them with your video right next to me. Thanks again.

[@Applxy354]

I followed your instructions and build my own Roman Shade. They turned out great 👍. Thank you for the step-by-step demonstration. They look professional and in one quarter of the market price

[@Paul.Douglas]

Excellent tutorial. Following it now, a little at a time.

[@helenbowie6301]

Thank you so much for your Roman Shade video. It was the best video I saw on this and you made it easy to understand.

[@w1ckedsavvy]

Excellent instruction! Thank you for making such a clear and precise video without a lot of chitchat to get through before you get to the actual project. I love how-tos like this!!

[@hollychitwood4225]

I just made a set of 3 roman shades using this method. The stitch witchery worked very well even with the heavier synthetic decorator fabric I used. My shades were also pretty long at 68 inches, so they were fairly heavy. I found the cord locks I ordered were not heavy duty enough to operate correctly, they kept coming apart, so I switched to a pulley and eye screws for the valance and mounted a cleat to secure each shade. That works beautifully. I also found it better to cut the wooden dowels 1 and 1/2 inch shorter than the finished width of the shade, this made them much easier to turn back inside out and it made the edges less strained looking. It also would have been much easier to hem the bottom before putting the rods in the pockets, especially if you are using a machine and blind hem stitch. But over all they turned out very nice and I really found this video most helpful.

[@onlinefabricstore]

That's great to hear, thanks for sharing!

[@Anran07]

Thank you. I had no idea a roman shade is this.complicated. Wow.

[@podgirl_24]

This is a fantastic tutorial. I love how clear the instructions were. Feel completely inspired to try this. Thanks!

[@onlinefabricstore]

Thank you so much!

[@tammilabedow3071]

Wasnt it though her voice and no extra talking straight to point and easy to follow

[@ninamelsted8702]

Thank you for the easy to follow and easy to learn tutorial. You are a very good teacher! Keep up the good work.

[@salidom337]

U-W

[@bdfpgirl7873]

I'm using this as a guide for my first roman shade. Thank you for such an easy to follow video.

[@golbargaam]

really loved, easy way of how to make. Thanks

[@CR-pc5yj]

Thank you so much for this wonderful instruction on making a Roman shade! It is very informative and extremely helpful!

[@onlinefabricstore]

You are so welcome!

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much 😊 I really loved you’re tutorial. Lots of useful ideas 💡 in it, and a professional looking blind at the end. Great 👍

[@onlinefabricstore]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@joannehubbs6207]

Very clear and simple instructions. This is the most professional looking "homemade shade". Thank you for making this video.

[@onlinefabricstore]

You are so welcome! Best of luck with your shades!

[@tcthebc]

Loved in instructions! I used this in New Zealand and now again in Utah. They really work and are very easy to make following the instructions!

[@margaretmcmahan6324]

excellent video with clear easily understood directions.

[@SandraAnnEvans]

AWESOME JOB! THANK YOU FOR SHARING!

[@annmargaretwatts6474]

Thank you for an amazing detailed video.👏👏👏👏

[@nelimartinez3979]

Next project I will try to make your Roman Shade. Looks very easy! Thank you!

[@onlinefabricstore]

You're welcome! We'd love to see how your roman shade turns out when it's finished :)

[@VictoriaCaganLSCSW]

Thank you for such a great video with simple, clear and concise instructions. I really appreciate the attention to detail. I can't wait to try it!

[@onlinefabricstore]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stacieknits]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! We had existing custom roman shades in our home, but the largest one needed to be restrung. Your tutorial was so concise and on point. Thanks again!

[@onlinefabricstore]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mindbodyengineering]

Just finished making two blinds using your instructions. I found them very easy to follow allowing me to easily make two identical blinds at once. I hand stitched the hem as I am using an old machine but it was worth the effort. Thank you for making the video!

[@onlinefabricstore]

Glad it helped!

[@malathimuthukrishnan5883]

Very clear instruction. Loved it.

[@WNCBlueRidgeBlondie1]

Thanks for the instructions. I've been wondering about this for a long time ..Thanks for posting.

[@Cyrilmc222004]

WNCBlueRidgeGrannie1 h

[@dianeboolos5481]

So much fun to make! Great directions. Thanks!

[@onlinefabricstore]

You are so welcome! Best of luck with your project!

[@brendariddle5288]

Thank you, very clear and instructional!

[@aliismael3869]

10,000 likes to you Dear for sharing your good knowledge. Many thanks from Mauritius.

[@kimworkman2425]

Love this! Thanks for giving so much information and demonstration. Very helpful

[@onlinefabricstore]

So happy we could help! If you have any questions let us know! Its an old video but we are still here to help!

[@dianneparker4968]

Excellent tutorial!

[@elisereid5101]

Thank you so much for all your very detailed videos, you have literally saved me thousands in professional curtain making for my new home. I'm going to attempt these blinds next. Looks very easy to follow 😍

[@onlinefabricstore]

You are so welcome! Best of luck!!

[@kristastewart8401]

Excellent tutorial. Great filming and clear, simple instructions! I hope to create some roman shades in my new house I am building soon! Thank you for your presentation.

[@onlinefabricstore]

Glad it was helpful! good luck with your project!

[@hjherdamatjaya9615]

Very good instruction..easy to apply..tqvm 👍

[@gw5073]

I love this, it is so easy to follow. It’s given me the confidence to try and make my own.

[@onlinefabricstore]

You can do it!

[@pandanotes2851]

That was so relaxing to watch

[@skee6706]

Very well done tutorial Thank you Now I know what I am going to do for my living room window. Great website.

[@dianes.2489]

Thanks, I have just finished my second shade for our camper. Never thought I could do this. I've only made simple curtains before. Your instructions were very clear even though I cut the lining material on the first one the same width as the curtain was, so I don't have any margins on the back. The blind still looks good. Also, I tackled the blind hem attachment. Not as scary as I thought.

[@onlinefabricstore]

Yay! So glad it worked well for you! These shades can be tough, so we are happy we could help!

[@dianes.2489]

@@onlinefabricstore Thanks !

[@usafamomsq8]

great how to video! I have made shades before but this looks much cleaner and nicer. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@usafamomsq8]

Also I leave the ends open for the dowels so I can pop it off the window and throw them in the washer once a year. Since I live in Ohio where it gets quite cold I am adding flat metal pieces and some magnets to my window frame so that once lowered it will snap to the window and lock the cold out.

[@kellybrown8870]

so organized and clear! thank you

[@onlinefabricstore]

You're welcome, glad it was helpful!

[@-PE53]

This is a great tutorial. Time ago I sewed a similar blind but bought some special rods made of a different material. The top one came with velcro. The shop owner placed those plastic things for the cord on the top rod at the distace I needed and I also got some especial tape to encase the rods. You could sew it ot stick it with your iron. These may make the process easier if you want to cut part of the process and the rods are much thiinner than the wooden ones.

[@dellabourne1106]

Brilliant tutorial thank you 😊

[@architektura204]

finally, only your video answered all my questions. thank you.

[@onlinefabricstore]

I am so glad! We are here to help during regular business hours as well! :)

[@pinkangora]

Thank you so much or all of your meticulous detail. I just completed The first one of my new Roman shades and I'm very pleased with it! The only alteration I made to your method was to sew strips of fabric on the interior of the lining for the dowel pockets instead of using stitch witchery on the main fabric.

[@aishamukhtar5479]

so nicely explained .. thanks a billion

[@nouvellelainiere2341]

Bonjour , magnifique travail merci de partager votre savoir faire 👍

[@aliciakilfoil1609]

Thank you for this!!

[@ladyzinn1]

Thank you so much you are the Best by far

[@gengmcintosh]

Thank you so much, that is very professional and easy to understand. Well done 👍

[@onlinefabricstore]

You're very welcome!

[@manuelashannon1369]

Very nice presentation.

[@MaringKababayanMixVlogs]

Beautiful ❤️

[@squanru1]

I am a newbie at sewing, but I think I am going to tackle this project! We have so many windows that need updates. We also have windows with no blinds. Yikes! This video was great! I watched other videos but they didn't come close how awesome this video is! I feel confident that I can make these blinds. :)

[@onlinefabricstore]

Thank you so much! When you do make them, we'd love to know how they turned out :)

[@barbarat5729]

Sailrite also has a great video.

[@paulfboylan]

Shawna Mod how to make a Roman blind topper

[@dianebush1936]

You have been so helpful…. Thank you

[@onlinefabricstore]

So happy we could help!

[@deannawillis4742]

I followed this video exactly and made two Roman shades for my kitchen window. I am an amateur and was intimidated by this project but my shades look beautiful! Thank you for this tutorial!

[@onlinefabricstore]

Wonderful! We are so glad we could help!

[@fancystreet1429]

I went to Goodwill and bought a modern print curtain panel for $5 big enough for my project. It had a liner too! Didn’t want to spend too much in case my project didn’t turn out! But it did and highly recommend this video. Thank you!

[@onlinefabricstore]

That is awesome!

[@minervakennedy5982]

Very. Good directions

[@vegasjill21]

This is a GREAT tut for these shades!! Excellent instructions!! I'm going to use and reconfigure a mini blind and hopefully I can figure out how to do it!!! lol I like it finished on both sides, for looks mainly...but also for less light coming thru. So thanks so much for your help o ths progect!!! Appreciate it very much!! Plus...I DID NOT want to use any hot glue. UGH. lmao. (It makes a HOT MESS!! ) o_O

[@jbd9507]

I saw a video on that, I'm sure you can find others, but here is one you can begin with, good luck! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hou3gZmCi9F9l68

[@nomancasta7341]

Very good job 👏 👍 👌 ❤

[@sharizabroski6910]

Nice job with this tutorial. I watched your video a couple of times and something caught my attention. May I offer a suggestion for someone who may want to use a washable fabric or even change out their Roman shade as decorating might call for a new look. I noticed that even though there were holes drilled so the wood frame could be screwed to the upper window opening, this also means the screws would go through the fabric. Small buttonholes could be sewn into the top of the fabric that will be secured to the top of the wood frame so the fabric isn't damaged by the screws that will go through the frame into the upper window opening. Another option might be to use sturdy hook and loop tape, securing the shade fabric to the front of the wood (and not over the wood). But thank you for a well done video!

[@onlinefabricstore]

That's a great idea!

[@KoteiDzanie]

Just use velcro on the fabric and wood

[@ginawestbrook4339]

Excellent instructions when followed carefully. I would add interlining which makes for a very good insulated shade.

[@onlinefabricstore]

That's a good idea, thanks for the tip Gina!

[@alexdevasia3601]

Well explained 🎉

[@elizabethdougherty1658]

Great directions.

[@onlinefabricstore]

Thank you Elizabeth!

[@edie5285]

Great tutorial. I was wondering if you have a video on how to make Roman shades with a gathering at the bottom? I am not much in to straight lines

[@nadircresio]

Parabéns ficou linda, perfeita

[@gloriahelton2123]

very helpful!

[@onlinefabricstore]

Glad we could help :)

[@peggypease3763]

I just finished making a 49 x 73" blind using this tutorial. So happy with the results. It was time consuming and some of the steps took longer than anticipated (hand sewing the rings and threading the cord lock aaargh!), but I think it was all worth it in the end. Great tutorial and thanks for the PDF instructions too.

[@onlinefabricstore]

Thank you so much! Glad we could help :)

[@cameronrandall7926]

Yes - those little rings!! Ugh!

[@shajay5511]

Can u please help me how u did the stitching on sides? How did u fold them in?

[@salemsari]

good job !!!!

[@onlinefabricstore]

Thank you!

[@brunildaguerrero6165]

Excelent 🥰

[@kerrymcginnis1412]

You are a genius.

[@rmcgill7]

I'm in the middle of making a set of these currently. I found that you need to use heavy duty stitch witch to make sure the dowel slots stay attached. Other than that, very good instruction:)

[@betsyboop4574]

Has the stitch witchery held up for you? Using an iron on product is the only thing holding me back from trying these instructions. Afraid it won't stay stuck!

[@michellemead5711]

This was a good tutorial except the music

[@sophieavis5013]

@@betsyboop4574 Don't forget you're also hand sewing around the dowels when you sew the rings on, so it's not just hem tape.

[@user-xm1qs6hc9i]

Thank you for this video. I sewed three shades for our kitchen to replace mini blinds, and they have dressed up the whole kitchen. I've started a wide shade for the adjacent room now and am concerned about the width. The first 3 shades were roughly three feet wide; this last one will be six feet wide. Although wooden dowels have been unavailable in this width, I've found plastic 1/4" "ribs". Some users report sagging in the middle. Would stitching the dowels to the fabric in a few spots prevent this? I would stitch from back to the front in a matching thread color near the middle where it would otherwise sag.

[@pattispeer3048]

In another video you demonstrated Dritz stitch witchery you mentioned it comes in different weights. What weight stitch witchery did you use for this project?

[@Mary-mz9kj]

Great tutorial! I prefer the dowel rod pockets to other methods and does not add tons of time. Thanks again : )

[@onlinefabricstore]

You're very welcome!

[@melindal.9189]

You cannot buy a custom fabric shade on sale or otherwise. If you want a custom fabric ( to match or to be coordinated with other room patterns) this IS worth it! A fabric Román shade for a window is normally $700 a window.

[@user-sx4si6jv9x]

True. We spent $7800 on 11 windows in our last home. Saving those thousands of dollars and doing it myself this time. If it takes a little time, that's more than ok to reap the benefits of getting exactly the fabric I want and save A LOT of money.

[@angelav2906]

Do you iron down the sides of the Roman blind, or only the bottom hem?

[@jenniferfarsh675]

Very Good tutorial! I prefer no background music, but other than that, very nice :)

[@arelisliduenas3840]

Jennifer Farsh muy buen tutorial , pero debes terminar con dolor en la volumna , si vas a trabajar de pie , tu mesa debe estar a la altura del ombligo .

[@keepthepeacegoingbylovinge4883]

Any way to adapt this to make top drop Roman Shades? In my brain I can see it but having a set of instructions would be so helpful! Can anyone help me? Thanks !!

[@zulaigaworth4401]

Thank you

[@karmaraad4199]

Thank you, this tutorial seems very clear and easy to follow. I plan to use it to sew new shades as soon as I can get my sewing station set up in new home. Question - would this process work for a very wide shade (e.g. 78")?

[@onlinefabricstore]

It may be a bit heavy but should still work well as long as you use pulleys instead of eye screws. I would suggest not using a too heavy of a fabric and lining so it's easier to raise, but most drapery fabrics should be fine. Good luck!

[@thedutchessk3152]

I can't understand when you are pinning the sides and hem. the lining is 1 in less than the fabric. so are you bringing the fabric to the lining and pinning OR are you pinning one side evenly, sewing, then pulling the other side together so that the result is an uneven puffiness? please explain.

[@katelutterodt2479]

good job

[@Daia8046]

Thanks Thanks!!!!

[@elleryklein-fiddler9330]

Great tutorial, got my shade made! However, were we supposed to seam up the sides of the curtain that we had pinned up? At one point it looked like they were taken out once the dowel pockets were put in, but then at the end, I had to fold over and seam the sides anyway. Any thoughts on what I missed?

[@maggiemcelvain7406]

Yes! Nowhere does it tell you to sew up the side seams of the fabric!

[@lindawagener9727]

I was confused at this point, one minute I had pins down the sides and the ;next picture you had it turned inside out . Can you please reply about this.

[@chariot6194]

Thank you so much for these instructions!!! Very helpful, but how do you attach it to the window when you are done? Thanks!

[@onlinefabricstore]

When drilling pilot holes for mounting the cord lock and pulleys, also drill through the wood all the way in at least 2 places. To mount the shade, hold the wood against the window casing at the top. Screw into the two (or more) holes and into the window casing. For outside mounted shades, you can use L brackets attached the the bottom of the wood and the wall or window trim.

[@nokuthulaportiaradebe6813]

Wow this is so wonderful want to learn more of this, where must go buy the merial for me to practice, really want to know how to make this roman shades.

[@onlinefabricstore]

You got this! Best of luck!!

[@adiamasoora4620]

Best video ever

[@onlinefabricstore]

Thanks Adia!

[@thedutchessk3152]

if I want to make a shade to cover an opening (crawl space) and I don't want to raise The shade, should I use twice the length so that the gathered/folded look will remain?

[@lucianaferreiralimaalvesdi945]

Tem maneiras seguras e bem mais fácil .ficou muito bom mas complicado

[@DeedeesDaughter59]

Question! Your instructions say to cut the lining fabric one inch shorter than the finished width. Do you mean one inch less in width than your fabric or actually one inch less than the measurement of the window?

[@mariakennedy1810]

Nice! The stitch witchery is an excellent idea

[@onlinefabricstore]

Thanks Maria!

[@georginaclinton2511]

How do you remove dowels for cleaning. Etc.

[@Missoudabeh]

@@onlinefabricstore I've been making romans for several years and always been fully stitching the channels to the front fabric and the lining as it keeps them together forever. How safe is to use the witchery tape? You know how sometimes they come undone on pants hems and stuf like that? Is it strong enough to pull all that weight for several years?

[@betsyboop4574]

@@Missoudabeh That is what I want to know too, MsS K.

[@jrcourson]

I am in the process of making 2 Roman Shades. I am using black out lining which is thick and feels a little rubbery. So, I made the pockets for the dowel rods out of this lining and the stitch witchery is not working. I'm going to make new pockets for the dowel rods out of 100% cotton. Crossing my fingers that the stitch witchery will bind. Has anyone else had difficulty with the stitch witchery not working on black out lining? I love the video - so well done and easy to follow.