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Low-Sew Roman Shade
Materials Needed:
- 2 yards of 48"-wide home decor fabric
- coordinating all-purpose thread
- 1/4"-wide wooden dowel rods (8)
- 4 yards Roman blind ring tape
- sewing machine
- pins
- sharp scissors
- high-temp hot glue gun
- glue sticks
- 1 roll fusible webbing tape
- iron
- 1 1" x 2" board cut to window width
- screw eyes (3)
- screw hook
- nylon cord
- yardstick or ruler
- pencil
Measure and Cut Fabric
Measure height and width of window, inside frame and sill. Cut fabric to window width, plus 2" for seam allowance. (Example: If inside of window width measures 27-3/4", fabric width should be 29-3/4".)
Hem Edges
Fold under 1" seam allowance on right side and press (Image 1). Insert fusible webbing tape under fold and iron to activate adhesive (Image 2). Repeat on left side.
Pin and Sew Rod Pockets
Fold under bottom edge of fabric (Image 1). Insert dowel rod in fold and pin fabric to form pocket. Using a yardstick or ruler, measure distance between every other ring on tape (Image 2). Use that measurement to determine proper placement for next dowel rod pocket and mark with pencil. Position dowel on mark, fold fabric over and pin to form second pocket. Continue in this manner to top of blind. Remove dowels and stitch along pin lines. Remove pins, trim threads and insert dowels (Image 3).
Affix Ring Tape
Position blind on work surface face down. Line up ring tape on sides, making sure rings line up with rod pockets. Hot glue ring tape into place. Tip: If rod pockets and rings don't line up perfectly, cut twill tape to position rings directly on dowels.
Prepare Header Board
Drill two pilot holes through header board for installation screws (Image 1). Tighten 3 screw eyes into bottom side of header board (Image 2). See diagram for proper hardware placement (Image 3).
Thread Cording
Cut two pieces of nylon cording double the window height. Tie end of one cord to second to last ring at bottom of blind on right side (Image 1). Thread through rings that are positioned over dowel rods and up through screw eye. Continue to thread cord through middle and left screw eyes. Repeat on left side, but thread only through left screw eye (Image 2). Pull both cords tight, so the blind is even and make a knot just to the left of the left screw eye. Make one more knot in bottom of cords to keep them together.
Hang Blind
Drill pilot holes in underside of window header trim that match pilot holes drilled in blind header board (Image 1). Hold header board tight to window trim and insert a screw in each pilot hole. Tighten a screw hook in side of window frame to wrap excess cord around when blind is raised (Image 2).
