Do you have a window that you really want to decorate with curtains? Unlike traditional curtains and blinds, Roman blinds create a subtle silhouette and allow you to control how much light enters the room. Roman blinds are not only classic and contemporary, but also do not require a lot of special equipment so that they can be installed easily by anyone.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Standard Roman Curtains
Step 1. Cut a 1x1 piece of wood
Cut the wood along the width of the inner top window opening.
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Screw (or install in another way) the 1x1 lumber to the window sill.
You cannot install on the inside of French doors
Step 2. Choose the type of fabric for the curtain and the lining
Although curtains can be made of light fabrics, heavy decorative fabrics are more ideal.
The "decorative heavy cloth" is a little heavier -- about the weight of a tablecloth
Step 3. Cut the fabric
Add 2.54 cm to the length and width of the window opening.
- The addition is for the hem.
- The outer curtain fabric can be cut a little wider so that it can "hug" each side as a ledge at the back of the curtain.
Step 4. Join the curtain fabric and the lining with a pin
Make sure the pictorial or “correct” sides are facing each other.
You can also sew fabric tape onto the upholstery to create a passageway for inserting the battens instead of sticking the battens with glue (as described in later steps)
Step 5. Sew all the edges of the fabric
Leave a few inches of opening to turn the "right" part of the fabric from the inside out when you're done.
- Bend and sew (or cut) the corners of the hem so the curtains are straight and don't clump at the corners.
- If the outer curtain fabric is wide enough to make a fringe at the back, sew the sides.
- Seam the bottom by hand and use a seam adhesive that is ironed on to the top; it will not be visible.
Step 6. Turn the right side of the fabric inside out and iron the fabric
When you iron, make sure the front (or “focus” of the fabric) covers all the edges of the lining so that the lining isn't visible
Step 7. Sew the opening with a slip stitch technique so that it closes
Sew Velcro tape to the top edge of the fabric.
This will later be used to attach the fabric to the wood
Step 8. Measure and mark the horizontal lines
Make a mark where you want the horizontal crease to be.
- Use glue to attach a “batten” or thin stick of stiff material horizontally across your fabric to the markings.
- Some curtain makers usually remove the seams on the sides of the curtain fabric and insert the lath between the layers of fabric to hide it.
- Some materials that can be used as battens include: scrap small-curtain sticks, 1/8 iron rods, furring sticks, panel sticks, etc.
- While you can make curtains without battens, you may be disappointed with the dangling folds of your curtains if you don't have them.
Step 9. Let the glue dry
Usually about 20 minutes.
Or, as described above, sew pockets for inserting the battens, sewing parallel lines across the curtain at the crease marks
Step 10. Sew plastic rings to the battens
Place the plastic rings at regular intervals, at least every two vertical lines.
- Most fabric stores sell cotton sheets that have plastic rings attached for this purpose, so you can skip this step.
- Make sure you attach the plastic rings correctly to the curtain.
Step 11. Measure and cut two lengths of rope
The length of the two ropes must be twice the height of the window.
- Tie the string tightly to the bottom of the plastic ring at each vertical line of the ring.
- Slide the rope vertically through the rings that have been installed.
- Attach the screw eye to the 1x1 wood at every point where the vertical stripes touch it.
Step 12. Attach the top edge of the curtain to the 1x1 wood
Use Velcro or staples.
Step 13. Slide the curtain pull rope through the eye of the bolt
Keep the curtains lying flat and slide each string through the eye of the respective bolt at the top.
- Slide all the ropes through all the eyelets at the top so that all the ropes are on one side to raise and lower the curtains.
- Knot the two strings right after the last eye bolt and "arrange" the curtain fabric so that it forms neat folds.
- Iron it, if you want.
- Gently pull the strings and "arrange" the curtain fabric so that it forms neat folds.
- Iron again, if desired.
Step 14. Keep the crease lines smooth and tidy
The pre-installed battens help you with this!
Method 2 of 3: Alternative Romance Curtains
Step 1. Measure and cut the fabric
It's best to use a measuring tape and fabric scissors to do this.
- Measure the window so you know the length and width of the curtains you need.
- Add 5 cm to the length and width of your curtains for the hem.
Step 2. Cut the curtain fabric and upholstery
- Put the correct sides together and the rough edges together, bend the edges of the fabric to make a 2.5 cm hem, use a pin, and sew the curtain fabric and upholstery on the sides and bottom.
- Flip the correct side from the inside out and iron it.
Step 3. Mark the position of the battens
Measure 5 cm from the top.
- From this starting line, you will need to make regularly spaced lines on the blinds - these will be the positions of the battens.
- The distance is between 20 cm and 30 cm, finish with the bottom half the size of the rest. (For example, if the distance between each batten position is 20 cm, the bottom distance is 10 cm).
- Make these line marks with sewing chalk.
Step 4. Create a batten pocket
Cut a strip of upholstery 8 cm wide by the length of the curtain.
- You will need one pocket of batten for each marking.
- Bring the correct sides together, bend the length in half, and, taking 1 cm for the hem, sew the long, rough edge and one end.
Step 5. Tuck and sew the battens
Turn the fabric over and press.
- Attach with a pin and sew the pockets in the center along the line markings.
- Sew through all layers of the fabric and as much as possible keep the lines out of sight on the front of the curtain.
- Insert the battens into each pocket and sew the ends using a slip stitch technique, turning the rough edges inward.
Step 6. Sew the curtain rings
Sew curtain rings to the end of each pocket 2 cm from the edge of the fabric.
Sew additional curtain rings at regular intervals of between 20 cm and 40 cm along the width of the curtain
Step 7. Attach the Velcro fabric hook
Snap the lath into place and attach the Velcro fabric hook to the front.
Step 8. Attach to the battens
Bend the top 2.5 cm of the curtain to the wrong side. Use a pin and sew.
- Use a pin and sew a Velcro crochet along the top of the curtain, and use it to attach to the batten.
- Install the screw eye on the bottom of the batten parallel to the rings on the curtain, plus one additional screw eye on the side where you want the curtain pull rope to be.
Step 9. Attach the rope
Attach a rope to each ring below and pull it up and thread it into the eye of the bolt on the batten.
- Bring all the rope to the side where you want to hold the curtain through the eye of the additional bolt.
- Thread the rope through the curtain rope handle, tie it, and trim it with scissors.
- Attach the hooks and use them to hold the curtains while the curtains are pulled up.
Method 3 of 3: Homemade Fake Romance Curtains
Step 1. Measure the window
So you will know exactly what size fabric you need.
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Make sure you measure the width "and" the length. While the curtains will likely not cover the entire length of the window, you will need to decide how much of the window the curtain will cover.
Roman blinds of this type are non-movable. Decide how much light you want before you start making curtains
Step 2. Cut your fabric
It's best to use fabric scissors to do this.
- Cut fabric 5 cm wider than your window. This addition is for the hem on each side.
- Cut the fabric at least 2/3 longer than “the length of the window you want to cover”. If you want 46cm of window covered, cut it to 76cm -- this is for the crease in Roman style curtains.
Step 3. Hem the four sides of the fabric
Preventing the edges of the fabric from unraveling will make your work more durable and ensure a neater appearance.
- The seam on each side is 2.54 cm wide -- additional sizes provided previously.
- Use a non-stitched, ironed tape as an alternative to needle and thread.
Step 4. Cut a piece of wood
5 cm wide to be sturdy.
- The length of the wood should be equal to the width of the curtain.
- If you don't have a saw (or prefer not to use it), most material stores will cut it for you.
Step 5. Drill 3 holes in the wood
With this, you don't need a curtain rod.
Drill holes (left, right, center) according to the size of the screw you will be using
Step 6. Cover the ends of the wood
Rough wood will look ugly when viewed from the side. Use whatever materials you have.
- Patchwork pieces (glue with glue or colored tape)
- Paint
- Beads (glue with glue)
Step 7. Roll the curtain fabric on the wood
Use colored tape or glue to make it neat and strong.
- The part of the wood that meets the fabric will face the window, at the bottom. This section will not appear.
- Make sure your fabric is facing in the right direction!
Step 8. Make the folds
Gather the fabric into folds, bend and fold again. Each fold should hang lower than the previous fold. The folds can be as big or small as you want. Usually each fold is 12.7 cm apart.
- Lay your curtains on the floor. To keep the curtains straight, you can use a carpet template or square tile flooring if you have one.
- Use a ruler if you want to be more precise. The folds on the left and right must be the same size.
Step 9. Hold the crease with the needle
Make sure you do this from the back of the curtain, so the needles won't be visible.
- Don't take too much fabric from the front. This can cause the fabric to shrivel up and the needle to show.
- Use three needles for each fold -- left, right, and center.
- If your creases vary in size or if your needles are irregular, repeat the section before you continue.
- Use a needle at the bottom of the curtain. The dangling part should be the last crease.
Step 10. Hang your curtains
Lift the curtain and screw the wood into the wall, using the three holes you drilled.
- The curtain fabric should hang forward, covering the screws and wood.
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Make small changes after the curtain hangs. If you are happy with the end result, you can nail the curtains and remove the needles.
This nailing can cause wrinkling of the curtains
Tips
- If you choose to staple the top of your curtains to a 1x1 wood top, do so before you attach the 1x1 wood to the window sill. Then, you can roll the stapled side of the 1x1 wood 90 degrees up or 180 degrees back so that the staples are not visible when the curtain is hanging.
- Attaching curtains to 1x1 wood with Velcro allows you to remove and wash them when they get dirty.
Warning
- The imitation method produces immovable curtains. If you want movable curtains, use the standard or alternative method.
- Scissors and needles are sharp objects. Use with care.
