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2. needlework

Basic Roman Shade Pattern
Flat Roman Shade in Seven Basic Steps
A roman shade has a tailored appearance that creates gentle folds when pulled upward. A
shade can be made from most any fabric, the choice of fabric effects the look of the
finished product. Sturdy, firm fabrics work best for pleats holding their shape,
lightweight fabric may be used for a softer appearance.
Roman shades are usually lined this gives added body to the shade, prevents fabric fading
and give windows, outside a more uniform appearance. To prevent cooling or heating
lose use an insulated lining. Thermal suede works well in most applications.
When cutting your fabric, I cannot stress enough the importance of squaring your fabric;
especially if you are using a print or plaid that has an obvious design.
The design may be printed off the straight grain of the fabric, cut the shade to match the
design not the straight grain.
What you will need:
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Decorator fabric for shade
Lining fabric for lining, facing strip, and cover mount board.
Mounting board: 1” x 2”, cut to size for inside or outside mounting.
Screw eyes or pulleys, large enough to hold all the lift cords; Number should equal
the number of vertical rows of rings.
Shade cord, for each vertical row of rings, enough to go up the shade, across the
top and down for pulling.
Plastic rings, ½”, equal to number of vertical rows multiplied by the number of
vertical rows. Or can use ring tape.
Weight rod, one 3/8” brass or rustproof flat bar, cut ½” shorter than finished width
of shade.
White glue or liquid fray check
Awning Cleat
Staple gun or tacks
Drapery pull
Velcro (optional)
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Basic Roman Shade Pattern
Step One: Cutting the Fabric
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The cut width for decorator fabric is 3”wider than the finished width of shade.
Lining width is cut the exact width of the finished measurement.
The cut length is 3” longer than finished shade for decorator fabric and lining fabric
Cut one piece from Decorator fabric
3” wider than finished width
cut one piece from lining fabric
the exact width of finished shade
Step Two: Finishing side hems
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Place lining and face fabric wrong sides together.
Fold raw edge of decorator fabric over lining, fold in again creating a hem along both sides of shade.
1-1/2”
1-1/2”
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finished seam
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Basic Roman Shade Pattern
Step Three: Attaching bottom facing
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Cut one facing piece of lining fabric 5” x finished width plus 2”.
Square the bottom of your shade before stitching facing piece to bottom of the shade
2’ plus finished width of shade
Sew facing to
shade, right
sides together
5”
Step Four: Weight rod pocket
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Fold in raw edges
Turn facing up, press
Stitch facing to shade
Stitch pocket for weight rod
Press seam downward
Press extensions to
back of shade so they
do not show on front
of shade, stitch or fuse
in place
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Turn under raw edges
of facing 1-1/2”, turn
under again 3”. Stitch
along folded edge.
Stitch again 1” from
first stitching to form
pocket for weight rod.
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Basic Roman Shade Pattern
Step Five: Measuring and marking vertical and horizontal rows for rings.
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Mark outside rows from edges. Rings hold side hems in place. Depending on the look you are
wishing to achieve the vertical rows are normally spaced from 5” to 8” apart. 5” will give you a
2-1/2” fold; an 8” will give a 4” fold as the shade is pulled upward.
Use a square edge to mark your side hems. All vertical rows will be measured and marked from
these two measurements. The first measurement is both corners. Divide the distance between
these two marking to determine how many vertical rows. Place a pin at these locations.
Starting from the bottom lay a straight edge, (yard stick or meter) at the 5” or 8” mark. Pin as
you travel up the shade.
Sew your rings in place, either by machine or hand stitch. Secure well, tension will be on the
rings as you pull the shade upward
Square top of shade and finish off with zigzag or serge. If using Velcro, apply loop at this step.
Using a long stitch helps the Velcro pucker factor. Leave about ½” on each side.
Step Six: Mounting choices
Several ways to mount your shade:
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A roller rod- this method it’s compliant with the voluntary standards for window blind cords,
2009, How to make a Safer Shade using a standard roller rod.
Board mount- using a 1” x 2” mounting board, cut to size whether inside or outside mounts,
covered with lining fabric.
For instructions and benefits of using a roller rod Click Here
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Basic Roman Shade Pattern
Step Seven: Attaching board and stringing shade
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Cover board with lining fabric, staple Velcro hook to top of board. Attach shade to board.
Screw in eye screws to match vertical rows.
String shade, cut all cords as long as shade plus measurement across shade and measurement
down side of shade.
Tie one cord to one bottom ring, string through all rings in corresponding row across the top
through Screw Eyes.
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4 Rows Finish off the cord ends with a drapery pull.
Inside mount windows will be attached directly to inside window with screws. I suggest a pilot hole
and cutting a small hole in the fabric covered mount board, Prevents threads from rolling around
screw.
Outside mount either screw directly to wall flat, or use angle Iron, When using angle Iron you will have
a bit of protrusion into the room, when using this method you may wish to use a short valance
treatment.
Install a cord cleat close to the drop cords, out to reach of small children. Wind cords neatly around
cleat when shade is in its up position.
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