Roman blind tutorial in 20 pictures or less

  A little over 5 years ago we had a family room added to the house and I knew I wanted roman blinds on the windows. I went in to the local decorator's studio and asked how much she'd charge me for labor only if I were to bring in the fabrics (that I'd bought with a 40% coupon at JoAnn's, of course!) After much calculating she finally said something...oh; so shocking that I've forgotten, but I think it was right around $2000 for five windows. My mom and her sister happened to be up here visiting at the time and when they heard that they both turned on their heels at the same time and walked right out of the store saying, "Jennifer, you can do that yourself!" I guess I just needed that little vote of confidence, because I took a peek at the sample they had hanging in the store and by golly, went home and made them myself! Have been doing them both here and for family members near and far since. I recently thought "I should do a tutorial with pictures when I make one for the upstairs landing". I alluded to that thought in my last post, thinking it would hurry me along. Well, let's just say I finally did get to it today!

 

Here's the look we're going for. And you don't have to be a seamstress at all.  Yesterday I googled "roman blind tutorial" thinking, "Why bother will all the photos and typing if it's already been done?" I quite honestly didn't find anything out there that I liked as well as mine. After seeing what's out there I almost feel I should apologize for waiting so long!  For a few reasons, which I'll mention as I go along (if I can remember.)

Here's everything I need for a window with inside measurements of 20.5 inches by 36 inches long. Your measurements will likely be different. I prefer an inside mount because it looks more professional and it's also more private (outside mounts can sometimes have a gap that you could see through from outdoors). Under the decorative fabric is a piece of sunblock curtain lining (on the long 54" rolls at JoAnn's) and both pieces are cut 21.5 inches by 40 inches (half inch seam allowances on the two sides and four inches longer than needed). Also brass rings and nylon cord (from the JoAnn's curtain making section), a 1/4 inch thick piece of wood cut 20.5 inches (exact inside window size). A half inch wide metal bar cut 20 inches (half an inch less than width of the blind). Staple gun, screwdriver, two eyelet screws, two regular screws. You'll also need a needle and white thread.

A note on the metal bar.

Down one of the hardware aisles (your neighborhood hardware store...not no stinkin' big box store like HD) they'll have these standing boxes full of all sorts of 3 foot long metal bars. Round, flat, L-shaped. Buy a half inch wide flat one. If your window is wider than 36 inches then ask, or you may actually need to go to a bigger store. Anyway, above is pictured the ONLY saw I had for the first few years of being a homeowner, and it's all you need to cut these metal bars. fyi.

OH. And a note on the brass rings. When I first made them 5+ years ago I unknowingly used plastic rings as the cord guides. When I recently took down the originals to build new ones the plastic rings were so brittle from sun and time they just crumbled. Use brass! Back on task; sew the decorative fabric and the white lining right sides together with half inch seams up both sides and across the bottom . That's three straight seams and the sewing is over. Do-able, right? The above pic is my tip(s) for getting a nice sharp corner. Clip the edge as shown and always have a nice fattish knitting needle on hand for gently poking the corner out from the inside. Now turn it inside out, poke the corners out sharp with your big knitting needle, and iron the three sides down nice and flat. 

Now we'll measure where to sew our brass rings. 

  

This quilter's rule is useful...as I'm measuring the distance between rings it's also keeping me a straight two inches off the side. 

Here's the measurements I used.

      

If you keep reducing the distance between rings as I have above you will get a much nicer layer upon layer pleating effect. (it took me a while to figure this out). I started the first ring five inches up from the bottom. Then just started tacking them on like this.

 

Now I measure the 36 inch height up from the bottom edge

 

and lay the 1/4 inch thick wood piece along the line. I wrapped the extra fabric over it (not necessary, just did it this time) and staple gunned it near each end.

 

This pin shows you where my 36 inch mark is... which will be at the top of the inside window frame.

 

We are getting very close to hanging this. Above you see the two eyelet screws ready to receive the cording, and the two screws pre-started to attach inside the wood window frame.

Now we will insert the cord. I simply tie a knot at the bottom rings, burn the raw edge of the knot a little (only if it's nylon cord, as it melts), then run it up through the rings and across through the eyelet screws as shown here:

 

A closer view;

 

It doesn't matter if the cords lead to the right edge or to the left. Where ever it is you want to be pulling up and down. Now; it used to be because I forgot, but now it's just because it's easiest, but here is when I cut open the edge on one side just enough to insert the weight bar.

 

The bar really is key to a nice hang. Try pulling one of these blinds up without it...you'll laugh! Today I decided at the last minute to attach the pompom trim so it would match the bedskirt I did in this little alcove a few months ago...no problem, as long as I left enough width for the bar to slide in.

Now you just throw the whole thing over your head (behind you)

 

and finish driving in those two screws you pre-started.

 

ooohh! We are getting very close to voila! Well, really we are already there, but I have a couple more things to mention.

 

Not sure if this fits in here but it's in the order I took the pics. After years of not dropping down the measurements as I measured up (7, 6, 5, 4, ) I still am really appreciating this stepped pleat look. Not nearly as bunched up as it would be if all the rings were the same widths apart.

 

This is a cleat. A nice brass cleat, which I paid almost four dollars for today after explaining what I was looking for to my very helpful Ace hardware man (whom you will never find at Home Depot OR Lowe's). What I was explaining to him was this

 

A plastic 'T' that was found in those interesting doo and dad drawers in the hardware store..along with wing nuts and the like. I got these on that first go-round over five years ago and they were only about forty cents. I recommend them if you can find them.

The main reason I like these blinds is it's the quickest, cheapest, easiest way to add dimension, personality and a custom look to a room. But almost as importantly it also satisfies my need for a uniform "All white" look on the outside of my home.

 

The view from outside.

I tried very hard to be super specific in this post so that even the most novice home decorator/crafter could  complete the task with satisfaction. Please drop me a comment here and let me know how it worked for you!

Comments

[BrendaLou]

The shade looks maavalous, dahling. You did a great job. That fabric looks better as a shade than it did on the bolt in the store. Great tutorial. Thanksgiving blessings to you and yours, girlfriend. Hugs, BrendaLou

[Kathi D]

Wow, thanks for that! I have often tried to puzzle out how to do one, and I have a couple of books with instructions, but with your tutorial I think I could actually tackle it!

[Kathi D]

P.S. That brass thingy isn't a grommet, though. It's a cleat, and you find them in the boating section of the hardware store.

Here's the motherlode of cleats:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/search_subCategory.do?categoryName=Cleats&categoryId=577&page=GRID&engine=adwords!6456&keyword=(boat+cleats)&match_type=

Thanks Kathi! Too funny--I woke up this morning realizing I'd made that mistake...came in here to fix it and you already did! :-)

[pam]

Really wonderful tutorial. Of course the darling little window makes it extra super cute. Love the uniform outside look. I think that makes it super professional.

Happy Turkey day dearie. xo

[michelleinfantino]

Your blind is beautiful! You have such talent. You blow away us inexperienced fabric people.

[Sarah]

That fabric really came from Joanns? I never go in there because I swear all I can find in there is dreck. LOL But that fabric? Love.

[Michelle]

That is an excellent tutorial. I have been wanting to make some roman shades for my bedroom - but, I have a different problem. My windows have a half circle top to them, but, I want the blinds to start below that - hence, no ability to top mount... thoughts?? Any advice is appreciated.

[Diane Duda]

I've always wanted to know how to do this! YOurs is beautiful!!!

[MichelleB]

I have made these in the past - and I love them. Your tutorial would have made me less afraid about trying them in the first place!

[Cheryl]

I think you have taken the fear out of making a shade for me!!!! Great tutorial and wonderful pictures.

[happy zombie]

If I say it didn't work, will you let me move in - and get lessons? Dang, Jen! Your Roman blind is beautiful! And your tutorial is just fab.

Happy Thanksgiving! xoxo-m

[Barbara]

Beautiful, wonderful, and totally amazing!! You are so incredibly talented!!! Love the look!!!

[dana]

While Roman shades are my all time favorite, and I have them in the kitchen, they are very easily made. But I can't follow instructions and if I had seen your instructions first, I would have run back to the store where Jesse James works and handed over the $2,000.

I just kinda use my ballpoint pen and "poke and hope".

[dana]

I just re-read your tutorial and found it alot easier since I already know how, but there's just one tiny piece of advice you might be interested in and it involves the cleat. A cleat should be wrapped in a figure 8, instead of around and around. It will give your cord a nicer, flatter, more attractive look and is actually quicker than going around and around. Trust me. That's the real purpose in having the arm at the top AND one at the bottom. "Figure 8 with the crossover in the middle between the arms"

My work here is finished. VERY detailed instructions darlin'.

[dana]

Did I sound like I was putting down your instructions? It sure sounded like I was. BUT I WASN'T. I was making a reference to the fact that I CANNOT follow directions, no matter HOW clearly they are layed out. It's me. Not you.

lol--no worries...everyone is different-- in the way they write directions, read directions, or reply to directions. ;-) Have a great day tomorrow.
jen

[Jane Ann]

EXCELLENT tutorial! I've made curtains, shades, etc. all my life, been an interior designer for 25 years, managed a Calico Corners store for 4--and you nailed it. The photos are wonderful illustrations too.

[Sue McG]

Wonderful instructions Jen, and a beautiful shade!

[Nanette]

I have shyed away from this too. Even though my mom made mine 22 years ago for my 2nd home. I llove the fabric and simplicty of this shade. It is beautiful. And I love white from the outside. What a great tutorial.

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Jen, Thanks so much for this tutorial. I am going to use it after Christmas to make some shades for my bedroom. I was going to have some made but I think I can actually do this with the help of your tutorial!

[Cheryl]

LOVE THIS! I think I could do this even!! Exciting :D My one question - how far from the bottom edge is the first ring placed? I don't see that measurement but it is 7" to the next ring, right?
Thanks!

[Sharon]

Aren't you the crafty one. Love it!

[Yard Sale Mama]

Okay, I just found you and I LOVE YOU! So much, really! Do you know how long I've been looking for a tutorial like this? Not only that but one of a roman shade that is white on the other side? Oh my, you've really just made my year- and I'm talking all the way through 2009. I feel like I can do this now and it's so exciting- I have 26 windows in my house and the only thing I could afford (without throwing up on the spot) were vinyl mini blinds (gross, I know.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
~Rachel

[Wendy]

I was literally looking at my teeny weeny spare bathroom window last week and thinking "there's nothing small enough to fit this window in stores, and I'm probably going to end up with some ugly-ass mini blind, I bet. Man, I wish they made roman shades in this size."

Then I was reading the "How About Orange" blog during my lunch hour today and the first post has your tutorial on roman shades! You read my mind! And saved my lil bathroom from window-dressing despair.

Thank you so much - it's people like you that keep the crafting world going 'round.

[phatsheep]

great tutorial, thanks loads for taking the time to share.

[Cara Kipp]

I was just thinking about how expensive roman shades are in the stores and how there must be a way to do them myself. And voila! Here you are with a fabulous tutorial.... I think every window in our new house will be sporting one of these very soon. Thanks!