DIY no sew roman shades
July 08, 2008
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One of my favorite projects is our faux roman shade window treatments. All you need is fabric you love, hemming tape (that I've mentioned before), a couple cup hooks and a small amount of ribbon.
I'm sharing the steps, including pictures, so you can see how easy it is for yourself!
Step 1: Cut your fabric to the length/width you need -- for a standard window, a yard is plenty. Hem the sides, making the top a rod pocket using your hemming tape. (I just use tension rods to hang these -- less than $2 each!)
Step 2: Put cup hooks at whatever spot on the wall you want the folds to hang from. You will only need one set of hooks. (One on each side.) I hang mine higher so the treatment doesn't hang too low into the window.
Step 3: Here's where the ribbon comes in. Cut it to the length you want, and hand sew it on at the exact same spot on both sides of the fabric. The length of the ribbon will depend on how far down you want your pleats to hang. For this project, the ribbon was about two inches for the top pleat, about three or four inches for the bottom pleat. I use a button on the front to give it something to really grab on to and it's decorative. (Even though you really can't see the button when done.)
Here it is from behind:
Step 4: Add ribbons at the lengths you want -- in my bay window I wanted three folds, so three sets of buttons/ribbon. In the kitchen window I only wanted two, so there are two sets. Take the ribbon up behind the fabric and hang it on the cup hook, a fold at a time.
This is the finished product!!
Here's another example: (this one had three pleats, but I made one shorter and some longer by placing the first two short ribbons up high, the remaining one's were longer and placed lower.)
I added trim along the bottom, but even without, they turn out beautiful! I love that you can do this with a fabric you really want to use. They are even operational -- you can just take the ribbon loops off the hooks to lower them. I made the shades in our bay window long enough to cover the whole window, which is nice for privacy if you need it. Also, depending on your window, you may want to add lining to the back of your fabric.
If you have any questions, let me know! It really is sew simple. (I KILL me!) Each one will take an hour or two -- depending on the size. The cost really just comes from the fabric -- I did these with a few yards of fabric and a lot of patience! Good luck!
I'm sharing the steps, including pictures, so you can see how easy it is for yourself!
Step 1: Cut your fabric to the length/width you need -- for a standard window, a yard is plenty. Hem the sides, making the top a rod pocket using your hemming tape. (I just use tension rods to hang these -- less than $2 each!)
Step 2: Put cup hooks at whatever spot on the wall you want the folds to hang from. You will only need one set of hooks. (One on each side.) I hang mine higher so the treatment doesn't hang too low into the window.
Step 3: Here's where the ribbon comes in. Cut it to the length you want, and hand sew it on at the exact same spot on both sides of the fabric. The length of the ribbon will depend on how far down you want your pleats to hang. For this project, the ribbon was about two inches for the top pleat, about three or four inches for the bottom pleat. I use a button on the front to give it something to really grab on to and it's decorative. (Even though you really can't see the button when done.)
Here it is from behind:
Step 4: Add ribbons at the lengths you want -- in my bay window I wanted three folds, so three sets of buttons/ribbon. In the kitchen window I only wanted two, so there are two sets. Take the ribbon up behind the fabric and hang it on the cup hook, a fold at a time.
This is the finished product!!
Here's another example: (this one had three pleats, but I made one shorter and some longer by placing the first two short ribbons up high, the remaining one's were longer and placed lower.)
I added trim along the bottom, but even without, they turn out beautiful! I love that you can do this with a fabric you really want to use. They are even operational -- you can just take the ribbon loops off the hooks to lower them. I made the shades in our bay window long enough to cover the whole window, which is nice for privacy if you need it. Also, depending on your window, you may want to add lining to the back of your fabric. If you have any questions, let me know! It really is sew simple. (I KILL me!) Each one will take an hour or two -- depending on the size. The cost really just comes from the fabric -- I did these with a few yards of fabric and a lot of patience! Good luck!
I love that fabric, where did you get it from?
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous! I love it, really love it!
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to figure out a way to adapt this to a set of "French Doors" (fiberglass). BUT...would love a way to make them useable...to be able to drop them down for privacy....do you think that is doable? Do you have any suggestions.
ReplyDeleteThat's my kind of window treatment! Not too ornate, but really stylish.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
oh how i love this! i have wanted roman shades for the four windows in my living room for the 5.5 years i've lived in this house, but couldn't bring myself to spend $100+ a piece for the custom sized ones i need. AND i;ve just started sewing, so guess what project is next?!!
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVE this! I'm SOOOOO going to do it!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad SITS featured ya! :) You so deserve it!
they look great! came via SITS
ReplyDeleteThat is SO cool! I am in need of window treatments and now have an idea! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy SITS day!
That is very nice, you're very creative :D
ReplyDeleteThat's very clever.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, you're a genius!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your SITS day!
Oh I LOVE this! I'm SOOOOO going to do it!!!
ReplyDeleteVery creative! Happy SITS day!
ReplyDeleteI wish I was so creative! Love the fabric. It looks great.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE IT! Truly fabulous! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy SITS Day, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteGreat Job! You are so thrifty.
ReplyDeleteThe fabric is totally cool. It has that old-school, carpet bag material kind of look that I really like...
ReplyDeleteFantastic idea! Just what my windows need. I have some that don't have anything on them.
ReplyDeleteOh I can wait to do this! I have a bathroom window that is frosted so you can't see in but it lets in a ton of sun. I didn't want blinds, but didn't know what I wanted until now! TFS, I will blog about it and link back here as soon as I get it done!!!
ReplyDeletethis is super cute. When I get a house (or at least a more permanent abode), this would be fun.
ReplyDeleteLove it as always!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tutorial, thank you! I am adding you to my reader so I can keep getting awesome ideas!
ReplyDeleteI so needed this post....you have no idea....some of my windows....are so embarrassed because they are naked....thank you....
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so much easier than the HGTV version!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip.
What a GREAT idea!
ReplyDeleteAh, so THIS is what I am suppossed to do with my odd shaped bathroom window that I just can not find a curtain that will match anything...
ReplyDeleteI think I love your blog.
Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteThat is neat! I'll have to try that for sure!!!
ReplyDeleteOK- I'm the dum dum, here...I'm confused. There is ONE set of hooks and the ribbons from each pleat hang on the SAME hook? Therefore, you have tiny ribbon tabs up top and maybe 8 incches of ribbon tab from the bottom? is that right?
ReplyDeleteI've made traditional roman shades before with ring tape- easy, but nowhere near as simple as this. Especially when you want them as mostly decorative. Now I need to stalk around your sight and see if you have a good idea for some window valances for my kitchen....
ReplyDeleteBless you woman. I'll be fancifying up my twin's window treatments with this little tip! I had made really basic curtains for their room and this will spruce it up! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteHappy Sitsa Day!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm going to officially live here.
Thats great and they look beautiful! Your so smart! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh so lovely!, You are a fantastic decorator.
ReplyDeleteWow, looks so great!!! Such a pretty window treatment!!
ReplyDeleteAMAZING Idea! Makes me think I could actually make a window treatment... window treatments scare me! :)
ReplyDeleteyou think that's easy but you lost me at the word hem.
ReplyDelete:)
You have, in one post, solved my window treatment dilemnas for our new house!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the step by step- I really love the look of these.
ReplyDeleteoooh- me and mr. magpie were just talking about a window treatment...did i just say that? don't tell him i said that.
ReplyDeletethanks for the inspiration!!
Great idea!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I'm getting ready to buy a new house soon and I can't wait to make some of these. Can you hang blinds behind them? Happy SITS Day!
ReplyDeleteOOooooh! You've got me thinking!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip.
You're so creative! Love it.
ReplyDeleteAnd to think that I had bought some....
ReplyDeleteJust popping over from SITS. This looks like a great idea and a fairly simple one too. Me and sewing machines, not sew much - ha ha.
ReplyDeleteJust popping over from SITS. This looks like a great idea and a fairly simple one too. Me and sewing machines, not sew much - ha ha.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! And I LOVE the fabric!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for something to dress up our windows but haven't found anything yet. I'm waiting now until we get them all replaced (sigh) but then I'm ready to make them look *really* good :)
ReplyDeleteOk - now you've got me feeling all "crafty"...guess I'll have to find some extra time this weekend to try this!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!! And the fabric is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love this....this would be great for my basement.....those little windows that you can't really find anything in the stores to fit!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
How neat! What a great idea! I need to try it out!
ReplyDeleteWhat a super easy idea! I would never have thought of it. You clever girl!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I'm have a feeling I'm going to be coming back here a lot to check out your great tips and tricks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea. Really, I would not have thought to do that. My brains just not wired that way. Happy weekend. Congrats on being the SITS Friday Favorite.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to get roman shades! Thanks for the tip! I'm a little late but I hope you had a wonderful Friday!
ReplyDeleteYou lost me at rod pocket. Ha ha. But that's ok. I am sew not a sewer. But this looks beautiful!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas. I really like that it is operational.
ReplyDeleteI love it, but I am confused about the cup holders...do you have 3 on each side to hold the folds? HELP me on this one. I am sure I am missing something.
ReplyDeleteI used that same fabric to cover a bench ! Great minds think alike - great tutorial !
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for showing us this! I just made one today!!
ReplyDeletehttp://simplyfinelinen.blogspot.com/2009/07/making-new-curtain.html
Blessings!
I am so glad I found this post!! I was just wondering what to do to the window in my bathroom. I am definately going to try this! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI used your tutorial today, but not for my bathroom window. We're turnig our loft office into a playroom, so this was perfect for that window! Thank you!
ReplyDeletehttp://beckmotherof3.blogspot.com/2009/12/todays-project.html
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this! I've just recently found your blog, and you've totally inspired me! I used your tutorial today and couldn't be happier with the results!
ReplyDeletehttp://jojablog.blogspot.com/2010/01/martha-stewart-watch-out.html
I have to thank you for all your wonderful ideas. I love these roman shades. Im in the process of redecorating my childrens rooms and Im going to try to make some of these shades. I love roman shades, but not the price that comes with ready made ones. These will be so inexpensive to make. I cant wait to start!!! Thanks again!!
ReplyDeleteOk...now you did it. I have to try this. I have been looking high and low for Roman Shade how-to and it's all too complicated for my mediocre sewing skills. BUT I am very scared....here's why: I'm changing my family room color from red to something calmer but I have POTTERY BARN (!) silk curtains in there that I paid full price for. (Crap) My husband will kill me and/or leave me if I want to change them. Lucky me his home office is red/brown. So...I'm going use part of the curtains in there on a large window and the rest for the window seat window using your technique. So this means I'll have to CUT those curtains. Pray for me sister.
ReplyDeleteI just made a set of these for my small bathroom. I was wondering how wide a window these would work on. I have a very wide, about 82 inch wide window, and I wondered if these would work on them.
ReplyDelete