How to Make Roman Shades

Roman shades are a simple and elegant window treatment to block the sun or prying neighbors. Nicer than plain plastic shades, but less expensive than ornate window shades, Roman shades provide the perfect start to a beginning home decorator.

Roman shades can be purchased from home improvement or department stores, or they can be custom made by in interior designer. The cheapest way to decorate your home with Roman shades is to make them yourself. Get ready to refresh your math skills!

To make Roman shades, first measure the window you'd like to put them in. Measure the height and width of the window from inside its frame. Or, if you want the shade to cover more than the window, measure the height and width of the surface the shade will cover. Your shade will probably need to be between 45 and 54 inches wide.

Before you shop for your fabric, you'll need to calculate the number of dowels and the amount of fabric you'll need. To figure out how many dowels you will need, divide the window height by six to nine inches, which will be the space between each dowel fold. You'll need to find a number that goes evenly into your window height. For example, if your window height is 64 inches, divide by six. You'll then need eight dowels for eight pleats. Each dowel needs 1.5 inches, so multiplied by eight, you'll need an extra 12 inches of fabric. You'll also need an extra six inches of fabric to mount the shade, meaning you'll need 18 extra inches for this example. Add this to your window height to get your final height. Add two inches of fabric to your window width. Now you have the size of the fabric you need. Whew!

Next, the fun part: selecting the fabric of your shade. Shades without busy patterns are the easiest to work with because you won't need to make sure the pattern blends seamlessly with each fold. If your window gets southern light, consider picking a near-shear fabric. This will produce a warm, soothing light in your room. Take a picture or your room, fabric swatches of your furniture, and a paint sample of your room when you shop. You don't want to finish making your Roman shade to discover it clashes with the rest of your room!

While you are out buying your fabric, buy the rest of your supplies:

Drapery-lining fabric. You'll need an extra 0.25 inches to cover the mounting board.

Blind cord

Window cleat

Quarter-inch diameter window dowels, 0.25 inches smaller than the window width

A wooden mounting board, 0.25 inches smaller than the window width that's 1x2 inches.

Half-inch diameter shade rings

Screw eyes

Staple gun

Chalk or air-soluble marker

Yardstick

The easiest way to make a shade uses lots of pictures and few words. Find instructions at a home improvement store or for free online to make your own Roman shade. Find patterns that make the type of Roman shade you want, whether it is flat, pleated, or with a sunburst. You'll probably need a sewing machine to make the Roman shade quickly, especially to attach the lining to the fabric. With patience you can make your own Roman shade.

Roman Shades Info provides detailed information about bamboo, fabric, discount, and custom Roman shades, as well as advice on how to make Roman shades, and more. Roman Shades Info is the sister site of Shutters Web.

---

What You Should Know About Cheap Cuckoo Clocks

There are cuckoo clocks available for people with all kinds of decorating or collecting budgets. On Ebay you'll find cheap cuckoo clocks priced from $9.99 to thousands... Read More

The Value of Antique Wedgwood China

Since the company is now slightly over 250 years old, anything made from year one to year 150 is now officially considered to be an antique. Antique... Read More

Take The Clothes Off Your Rooms and Let Them Breathe

Its summertime and the livin' is easy or at least you want it to free, easy and comfortable in the summer heat. We all want to lighten... Read More

Oriental Area Rugs - Know Before You Buy an Oriental Rug

Did you know that you can usually tell the country from which an Oriental rug originated from its design and style? While we often think of 'Oriental... Read More

Discount Bathroom Vanities

Discount bathroom vanities can be found in many places, some more unusual than others. You first must decide what discount means to you and how far your... Read More

Decorating, Where Theres a Will Theres a Way

Decorating anything is one of the easiest things in the world! And when it comes to decorating your home, if one has a will and there is... Read More

Mission Style Lighting - Its Timeless Beauty Continues

If you ask most people to tell you about Mission Style lighting you are likely to be met with a blank stare and shrugged shoulders. But, if... Read More

Budget Decorating - What Is It?

Budget decorating. You see this phrase a lot but what does it mean? Does it mean the same thing to you that it does to me? Probably... Read More

Grandfather Clock Repair

A well-made grandfather clock is an heirloom piece, designed to be handed down from generation to generation. As such, they are made to last over several lifetimes.... Read More

An In-Depth Look at Air Filter Manufacturers

Because there are several air filter manufacturers on the market, it is helpful to be able to sort through the different manufacturers and products. The brief manufacturer/product... Read More

You Know Your Home Décor is Frumpy and Stale when?.

As a decorator, I have gone into many different homes and met homeowners with questionable taste. One thing I am shocked about is people living in a... Read More

The Function of Wine Storage Racks

Storing wines is crucial to keeping wines flavor and letting it age to perfection. Wine cellars are an ideal way to store wines for long durations. Without... Read More

The Benefits of Wicker Picnic Baskets

Wicker picnic baskets are a lovely, traditional way to pack a breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a well-earned snack. You can take it with you anywhere --... Read More

The Value of Antique Grandfather Clocks

These days, everything from ovens to telephones silently mark the minutes in glowing red and green letters, rendering the "tick tock" of the mechanical clock increasingly unnecessary.... Read More

Decorate Your Home for Joy Using Design Psychology

What Is Design Psychology?Design Psychology exceeds "traditional" interior design practice by considering the effects of design elements on our five senses, as well as our emotions. Rather... Read More

The Increased Popularity of Granite Kitchen Countertops

The popularity of granite kitchen countertops has increased dramatically in recent years, with the media focus on kitchen remodeling and personal incomes rising. Originally the choice for... Read More

The Ultimate Strategy for Decorating a Childs Room!

When it comes to decorating a child's room, your approach should be different from decorating an adult bedroom. That's because a child's bedroom should reflect his or... Read More

Installing Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors can be secured using various installation methods such as floating, glue-down, nail-down, and staple-down. The ¾ inch solid floors can be nailed down. Adapters are... Read More

Ivory Like Sholapith Sculptures from India

In the past, collectors have been fascinated with sculptures of pure white Ivory without knowing the damage it caused to our eco-system. Luckily governments of a number... Read More

Decorating on a Budget - 15 Easy Steps

Many years ago I was told that the least expensive way to redecorate is to rearrange what you have. It was one of the best decorating suggestions... Read More

A Guide to Wood Stove Inserts

A wood stove insert serves several purposes. First of all, they can keep heat from escaping through the fireplace. Wood stove inserts also raise the heating efficiency... Read More

The Charm of Traditional Shutters

For those wanted to give their home an instant facelift, traditional shutters are a great option. Window shutters add style and grace to a house, transforming it... Read More

The Benefits of Outdoor Wood Stoves

Outdoor wood stoves use renewable energy, are less expensive than many other heating systems, and are safer than indoor wood stoves.Outdoor wood stoves create heat by pumping... Read More

Liven Up Your Walls With Decorative Plates

Decorative plates are often overlooked when decorating a home. Yet, it's the details that really make the elements of a room come together-and decorative plates are a... Read More

Decorating With Lights and Shades

Candlestick, lamp and fixtures for electricity must accord with the lines of your architectures and furniture. The mantelpiece is the connecting link between the architecture and furnishing... Read More

A Guide to Bathroom Vanities

The basic bathroom vanity includes a mirror or medicine cabinet above, a sink or basin and counter or 'top' below, and a cabinet beneath. In some cases... Read More