How To Make Your Own Roman Shades

Do it yourself Roman shades are not too difficult or too time consuming. Getting custom made Roman shades can cost you a small fortune. Do it yourself Roman shades are easy to make and look like you have got a professional to do it.

Materials required for do it yourself Roman Shades:
1. fabric
2. lining fabric
3. tape measure
4. scissors
5. scallop template
6. pencil
7. hook and loop tape
8. thin cording
9. small wooden dowel
10. 1?x1? board
11. needle
12. staple gun
13. screw eyes
14. drill
15. screws

How to make do it yourself Roman Shades:

Measure the width of the window. To determine the necessary length, divide the window length by five, and then add that number to the length of the window and add seam allowances. Cut the fabric and lining according to the measurements. Pin the fabrics with right sides together and trace/ cut scallops along the bottom. Sew the two pieces together after leaving about a six-inch opening along the top in the middle for turning. Snip small cuts in the seam allowances along the scallops so they lie flat, and then turn the shade right side out. Iron the edges till they are crisp and sew the opening shut.

Sew one side of hook and loop tape along the lining side on the top edge of the shade. Measure and mark the lining along both sides to the bottom of the shade. Fold and pin the one-inch areas to the back of the shade to create flaps. Sew them and mark along each flap every six to eight inches, depending on the width. Count the number of marks along one flap and cut the same amount of cords at least double the length of the shade plus one shade width. Use a needle to sew the cording through the flaps at the marks, starting at the bottom and working upwards. To keep the shade sturdy and neat you can slip a wooden dowel into the bottom flap.

Attach screw eyes to the adjoining side to line up with the cords on the shade. Then, attach the header to the shade with the hook and loop tape. Feed the cords through the screw eyes and then tie them together at one end. Screw the header board to the frame of the window. If the length of the shade doesn