I love myself a good roman shade. Don’t know what it is exactly, but my type A personality is drawn to the simplicity and nice lines time and time again. 

In the past ten years we have lived in our house, I have sewn several. In particular, I like to change out the one in my kitchen. We are in the middle of a mini remodel, and well, I thought I’d reward myself with a new one. I mean, the remodel my never be done, but I have myself an updated window treatment!

To top it off, I was in NYC a few months ago and got to visit Mood Fabrics. It was literally fabric heaven. While I was there, I picked up some fabric perfect for my new shade. Obviously. 

Materials:

Checked fabric – 2 yards (depends on the size of your window)

Coordinating Fabric – 1/4 yard (again depends on the size you are making

Coordinating thread

Coordinating Ribbon – I used grosgrain ribbon 1.5″ wide

DIY Steps:

1. Measure your window. Cut your main fabric, adding two to five inches to the width. The length should measure about 2/3 to 3/4 of the height of your window. Add 1/2 for the seam allowance all around. 
2. Next, cut out the coordinating fabric (if you so choose). This is for the curtain rod to slide into. The width should be the same as your main fabric by 5 1/2″ to 6″. Press in seam allowance on the sides and stitch. Press in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together. 
3. Press in sides of main fabric and stitch. Press up hem, stitch. 
4. Cut out your ribbon. Because of the width of my window, I decided to have three ribbons holding open my shade. So I cut six pieces of ribbon the same length as my main fabric. 
5. Pin the ribbon onto the main fabric. Since I have three, I divided the width of my fabric by four to get my spacing between ribbons. Because of the precise pattern, I carefully lined up the ribbon to hit the pattern the same way. Three on the front, three evenly spaced on the back. 
6. Next, pin the top of the main fabric to the open edge of the rod piece. Stitch together. Press. The top stitch. Top stitching might seem like just an extra step, but it sure does give a nice finished look. Make sure you pin your ribbon pieces down so you don’t catch them into the stitching. How would I know about this you may ask? Because I did it. Twice. 
7. Now come the fun part!! Hang up your shade! You can tie your ribbon pieces at the height that you find visually pleasing. I like to make sure it is all even by ironing soft pleats along the bottom then tying the ribbon. This time I actually sewed the ribbon together, front to back and added a bow on top with hot glue. In the past, I’ve also just tied the bottom in a nice knot or freehand bow. You do what looks good to you!
8. Bask in the glory of a nice, neat customized, roman shade. 

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