DIY Roman blinds: step by step instructions

Recommendation points

• Necessary measurements and calculation of fabric
• Fastening to each sash
• Fastening a Roman shade in the opening
• Cutting fabrics, sewing and assembling Roman shades

Roman shades are often referred to as “fabric blinds”. There is definitely a similarity: in the unfolded state, the curtain is a straight canvas the size of a window opening. It is obvious that the consumption of fabric for its sewing is minimal. Consider the sequence of actions when creating do-it-yourself Roman curtains.

Roman shades can be recommended for any interior. They will organically fit into the kitchen environment, where good lighting is needed, can contribute to darkening in the bedroom or complement the elegant curtain set in the living room. Obviously, in each individual case, it will be necessary to acquire certain properties of fabric: translucent light, if light diffusion is required, opaque Blackout type for complete dimming. The kitchen needs a fabric with dirt-repellent properties.

An important point: the choice for sewing variegated fabrics of a natural composition is associated with the need to sew a double curtain. The lining will protect the main fabric from fading.

When choosing a fabric, pay attention to the compliance of the plastic properties with the style requirements. Soft pliable fabrics or fabrics with a thin structure will not work. For sewing Roman curtains, dense fabrics are needed, shape-stable, capable of forming a beautiful clear fold.

When choosing a color, take into account the peculiarities of the style of the curtain: in the straightened state, the ornament and texture of the fabric will manifest in all its splendor, in the assembled one, the distortion of large motifs of the ornament is possible. If you want to emphasize a bold pleat pattern, choose plain fabrics in light shades. Drapery on dark and patterned textiles will be less noticeable.

To make Roman blinds you will need:

1. Base fabric, lining if necessary.
2. Velcro tape with Velcro (calculated according to the width of the curtain).
3. Weights (aluminum or plastic tubes O 5-10 mm).
4. Plastic rings O 10 mm.
5. Nylon or nylon cord.
6. Bottom weight bar.
7. Wooden block 5×3 cm.
8. Finishing border.
9. Rings on a screw foot.
10. Furniture stapler.
11. Cord holder.

On sale there are ready-made curtain rods for Roman blinds, fully equipped: with a lifting mechanism, stiffening ribs, lower weighting agent and rings – they are completely ready for hanging. The curtain rod comes standard with universal fasteners. In case you decide to use them, follow the installation and installation instructions.

You can not use ready-made sets, but create your own design, exactly corresponding to the required dimensions.

Necessary measurements and calculation of fabric

Measurements are made in accordance with the location of the canvas.

Roman blinds can be fixed:

• for each sash;
• in the opening (in close proximity to the glass);
• on the opening (to the wall or ceiling).

The first and second options are used in the case when the Roman blind acts as a blind and acts in tandem with other elements of the curtain set: curtains, curtains, lambrequins.

Fastening to each sash

In the case when the curtain is attached to each leaf, its size is calculated in accordance with the dimensions of the glass. To the obtained measurement results, add 1.5 cm.

Fastening a Roman shade in the opening

The dimensions of a Roman shade intended for mounting in a window opening are calculated based on the data on the height of the window and the width of the window opening. The width and length of the curtain should be less than the size of the window opening by 1 cm.

If you plan to install Roman blinds on the opening, you need to measure the width and height of the window. To determine the width of the curtain, add 10-15 cm to the results of measuring the width of the window opening (the overlap is needed so that the finished canvas covers the slopes). Calculate the length of the curtains in accordance with the method of attachment (to the ceiling or to the wall) so that the lower edge of the curtain in the open position covers the window sill.

The number of weighting agents is determined by the ratio of the length of the product to the size of the fold, be guided in calculations by the approximate indicator of the distance between the slats – 20 cm.For example, with a curtain height of 150 cm, 7 weighting agents will be needed.

Further, when calculating the distance between the weight plates, please note that it must be the same in order to form uniform folds. Based on the ratio of the length of the product to the number of weighting materials, you will get the exact size of the folds 150/7 = 21 cm.

Cutting fabrics, sewing and assembling Roman shades

1. Before transferring the calculation values ​​to the fabric, decorate it: soak it for a few minutes in warm water, dry it and iron it. This will prepare the fabric for cutting and prevent future shrinkage of the finished curtain..

2. Transfer the calculated height and width measurements to the fabric. Add an allowance for the hem on the sides of 2.5 cm. The size of the allowance at the top is determined by the dimensions of the wooden block, in our case 5 cm, plus 2 cm for the hem. The bottom allowance depends on the size of the lower weight bar. To fasten the lower plank, the lower edge of the curtain must be tucked in and stitched in such a way that a “pocket” or drawstring is formed. When calculating, do not forget about a 2.5 cm hem allowance.Finish the edges with a double hem..

3. Attach a piece of Velcro (the one with the hooks) to a wooden block (it can be pre-edged with a cloth, painted or varnished). You can fix the Velcro with a furniture stapler or studs.

4. Finish the top edge of the curtain and sew on another piece of Velcro. Finish the bottom edge: fold the fabric and stitch to form a drawstring. The width of the drawstring must match the dimensions of the weight bar.

5. On the seamy side of the canvas, mark the places of passage of the finishing border, we will use it to attach the weighting agent, stitching from the inside.

6. Tie in the hem so that there is a channel for inserting the weight. Next, insert a weighting agent into each drawstring and sew the channel on one side. Leave the other side open to remove the weights from the curtain when washing.

7. In the places where the weights are attached, sew the guide rings, placing them symmetrically relative to the center of the curtain. Place the outer rings no further than 10 cm from the edge of the curtain.

8. Attach the rings on the screw leg to the bar, exactly repeating the location of the guide rings on the curtain fabric, and fasten another ring from the end of the bar (to collect all the threads).

9. Fasten the top bar (to the ceiling, wall or window opening).

10.Using Velcro Velcro we attach the curtain to the timber. Tie the ends of the cords to the bottom rings and thread them through all guide rings to guide all cords to one side, where the cord holder will be attached.

11. Next, equalize the tension of all the cords, collect them together and tie a knot at the last ring on the cornice.

To make the cord look aesthetically pleasing, consider making it heavier. Such a weighting part can be a large bead or a curtain ring. To fix the curtain in the desired position, you will need a cord holder; its function can be performed by a hook screwed into the wall.