DIY Roman Shade

Materials and Tools

• Drapery fabric
• Cotton, dim out or black out for drapery lining
• Mounting board 1”x1” cut to the inside width of the window
• 1-1/2” #8 screws for mounting to window
• Velcro
• Drapery cord — for each row of rings to raise and lower the shade
• 1/2” plastic drapery rings
• I-beam drapery track or 1/2” x 3” wood board for shade weight
• Staple gun and staples
• Window frame
• Screw eyes
• Cord cleat

Step 1

After deciding on where the shade will be mounted — roman shades can be mounted inside or above the window frame — measure width and length of window. Cut drapery fabric 2” wider and 24” longer than the measurement of the window.

Step 2

Cut a piece of lining fabric equal to the width of the drapery fabric and 8” shorter.

Step 3

Pin lining and drapery fabric with outside-facing sides turned inside, with tops even and lining fabric 8” shorter at the bottom. Sew down both sides with 1” seam allowance, leaving the top and bottom open.

Step 4

Turn shade right side out and press seams flat.

Step 5

To hem, fold 4” of drapery fabric at bottom of shade up, then fold up again another 4” (this is the excess overhanging the lining fabric). Press and sew into place.

Step 6

Sew soft side of the Velcro strip to the top of the shade on the drapery fabric side. Adding decorative piping along the top is also an option before sewing on the Velcro at this stage. If adding piping, sew a strip the width of the shade near the top of the shade, just below where the lower edge of the Velcro strip will fall.

Step 7

Determine ring placement locations: using a large metal set square and a pencil, mark for the first row of rings 1” in from each shade edge, and every 6” to 8” across the width of the shade. Mark the next row 8” above the first, until all rows are marked. You may have to play with placement a little depending on the exact length and width of your shade.

Step 8

Sew rings on shade by hand or using a sewing machine. Set machine stitch length to 0 and zigzag at widest setting.

Step 9

Insert metal screw eyes into 1” x 1” wood mounting strip to line up with the top of each vertical row of rings.

Step 10

Drill holes for screws in other side of 1” x 1” wood mounting strip.

Step 11

Staple hook side of Velcro to mounting strip. Attach shade to mounting strip with Velcro.

Step 12

Cut one length of drapery cord for each row of rings. Each cord should go up through the rings in each vertical row on the shade, across the top through each screw eye on the mounting strip and dangle down one side for raising and lowering the shade. Cut each length of drapery cord row by row, as each length will be different.

Step 13

Knot drapery cords on rings in bottom row on shade.

Step 14

Slide I-beam drapery track or 1/2” x 3” wood board into bottom hem and sew hem closed.

Step 15

Mount shade to window using 1-1/2” #8 screws. Raise shade to bottom of window; adjust cords and tie in knot at screw eye on mounting strip. This prevents the shade from hanging unevenly when lowered. Braid cords to tidy ends.

Step 16

Install cord cleat on window frame at a convenient height. Secure cords to cleat when shade is at desired position on window.