How-To: Customize Roman Shades With Fabric

HGTV Magazine shows you how to put your stamp on basic items with these easy makeover ideas.
Customized Roman Shades

Customized Roman Shades

HGTV Magazine shows you how to put your stamp on a basic roman shade with these easy makeover ideas.

Photo by: Philip Friedman

Philip Friedman

By: Jessica Dodell-Feder

Materials Needed:

  • Roman shade (such as 39" fabric shade, windowblindoutlet.com)
  • scissors
  • sponge brush
  • Mod Podge
  • craft glue (such as Sobo)
  • fabric glue
  • ribbon (Grosgrain, mjtrim.com)
  • adhesive hem tape (such as Dritz Stitch Witchery)
  • Fabrics (HGTV HOME Curl Up in citrine and SMC Designs Fantini Candy, both joann.com)
  • rickrack (Jumbo trim in light pink, medium pink, hot pink, red, bright red, and wine, purlsoho.com)

For Fabric Squares

Cut two different-pattern fabrics into 4.5-inch squares (you’ll need about 140 squares for a 39-inch-by-64-inch shade—about one yard of each fabric). Fold the squares in half to cut out the centers. To prevent fraying, use a sponge brush to lightly coat all the fabric’s raw edges with fabric Mod Podge; let dry. Starting at the curtain’s top, use crafts glue to adhere rows of squares in the same pattern, spacing them 1 inch apart on all sides. Let dry, then repeat with the squares in the second pattern, layering them over the first set to create an offset grid.

Shade With Green Squares

Roman Shade With Green Squares

Cut two different-pattern fabrics into 4.5-inch squares (you’ll need about 140 squares for a 39-inch-by-64-inch shade—about one yard of each fabric). Fold the squares in half to cut out the centers. To prevent fraying, use a sponge brush to lightly coat all the fabric’s raw edges with fabric Mod Podge; let dry. Starting at the curtain’s top, use crafts glue to adhere rows of squares in the same pattern, spacing them 1 inch apart on all sides. Let dry, then repeat with the squares in the second pattern, layering them over the first set to create an offset grid.

Photo by: Philip Friedman

Philip Friedman

For Rickrack

Cut different-color rickrack into pieces the same length as the curtain plus two inches. Use fabric glue to adhere the pieces two inches apart, folding under one inch on the top and bottom for a clean edge. Let dry.

White Shade With Colored Rickrack

White Shade With Colored Rickrack

Cut different-color rickrack into pieces the same length as the curtain plus two inches. Use fabric glue to adhere the pieces two inches apart, folding under one inch on the top and bottom for a clean edge. Let dry.

Photo by: Philip Friedman

Philip Friedman

For Grosgrain Ribbon

Cut ribbon of different sizes and colors into pieces the same width as the curtain plus two inches. Attach the ribbon to the curtain with adhesive hem tape folding under one inch on each end for a clean edge. Place some pieces of ribbon next to each other and others an inch or two apart.

Shade With Red, Orange and Yellow Stripes

Roman Shade With Red, Orange and Yellow Stripes

Cut ribbon of different sizes and colors into pieces the same width as the curtain plus two inches. Attach the ribbon to the curtain with adhesive hem tape folding under one inch on each end for a clean edge. Place some pieces of ribbon next to each other and others an inch or two apart.

Photo by: Philip Friedman

Philip Friedman

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