Do-it-yourself Roman curtains - it's easier than it sounds. In our review - tips for choosing the fabric, size and fastening of such curtains, plus - three detailed master classes.
Roman curtains combine all the advantages of conventional curtains and horizontal blinds. They are made of fabric, so they can rightfully be called curtains, but their control mechanism is very similar to a device that drives the louvres of blinds.
Photo: allthingsthrifty.com
Photo: @zdesignathome By the way, it is precisely unnecessary blinds that can be used to sew Roman curtains with your own hands. You can buy a special mechanism for Roman curtains in the store.
Photo: houzz.com.sg
Photo: @maureenblankeninteriors Roman curtains are sewn from both dense and translucent fabric, they can be single or double layer. On the window, such curtains can act both solo and in combination with curtains.
Photo: @drapery_studio
Photo: @classicmodernhome Our selection contains general recommendations, plus three workshops on Roman curtains of varying degrees of complexity, from the simplest, which does not involve sewing at all, to the detailed method of manufacturing the classic model of two-layer curtains.
DIY curtains on grommets: a master class
Before you start-1: Decide on the fastening and size of the curtain
There are two options for fixing Roman curtains. First: the upper bar of the curtain is attached to the wall above the window opening. Such a curtain may fall slightly below the window opening and be slightly wider than it. By the way, a higher arrangement of curtains visually raises the ceilings of the room and makes it higher.
Photo: hearthandholm.blogspot.com The second option is to mount the curtains directly to the window frame, in close proximity to the glass. The height and width of such a curtain should be equal to the height and width of the window opening. This option is suitable if you want to leave the window sill free and open even with the curtain closed - for example, if you use it as a storage surface.
Photo: evolutionofstyleblog.com The size of the finished curtain will depend on the mounting option: in the first version it is better that it slightly exceeds the size of the window opening, in the second - that it exactly matches it. In either case, add 5 cm to the length and height for the gates.
Before you start-2: Select a fabric
The choice of fabric for Roman curtains primarily depends on how tightly they, according to your plan, will close the window from light. It is also worth paying attention to the texture and coloring of the fabric and remember how you plan to fix them. It is also important that you plan to make the curtains single or double-layer, counting, inter alia, time and strength: double-layer curtains to sew longer and more difficult.
Photo: @irongateinteriors Thin lightweight fabric is suitable for curtains in a single layer. When choosing it, look through the future curtain to the light: it will be translucent, an interesting texture or weaving will be visible.
Photo: @jillwhitedesigns A fabric in a horizontal strip or a large cage can emphasize sewing flaws, while a mottled or small cage can, on the contrary, be hidden.
Photo: @moonstoneinteriors For curtains in two layers, the texture is not so important: they will be more dense, less light transmitting. Thin curtains are often attached to the window frame, more weighty, thick - to the wall above the frame. In any case, the selected fabric should hold its shape well.
Photo: @christopherfarrcloth
Photo: @budgetblindsofma
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Before you start-3: Count the desired number of dice
The Roman blind is divided horizontally into several equally sized folds, each of which is supported by a die. Traditionally, the number of folds (and dies) is calculated based on the size of the window:
The simplest single-layer Roman curtains: a master class
Even beginners who are not very knowledgeable in sewing can take on such curtains.This skill may not be required at all if you have a ready-made curtain of the right size. The whole process of making one curtain will take only a couple of hours. True, washing such curtains, for example, in a typewriter, will not work.
Photo: iheartnaptime.net You will need: - a finished curtain or piece of fabric, - blinds, - glue for the fabric, - scissors, - clothespins. 1. Decide on the location and size of the future curtains. If you do not have a finished curtain, but a piece of fabric, tuck and trim the edges. 2. Take care of the blinds. Lay them on the floor and with scissors cut the ropes sequentially, as shown in the photo. Important: make sure you leave the whole lace running inside the lamellas. Remove the cover at the bottom of the blinds, untie the knots and release these shoelaces.
Photo: iheartnaptime.net 3. Now you need to decide how many planks - and, accordingly, horizontal folds - will be on your curtain (see table above). We remove unnecessary lamellas, they will not be needed. Through the holes of the remaining ones we stretch the cords and, having checked the length of the fabric, we tie them at the right distance. If the cord is a little lacking, you can attach an additional piece to it (this will not be visible from the outside).
Photo: iheartnaptime.net 4. Having marked the places of fastening of the slats, grease them with fabric glue and glue to the curtain. On the edges we press with clothespins.
Photo: iheartnaptime.net 5. When the glue dries, the curtain can be hung up - it is ready.
Photo: iheartnaptime.net
Single-layer Roman curtains without planks: a master class
Such curtains are a little more difficult to do than the previous ones. As a mechanism for them, blinds are also used, but already without trims - they are replaced by carpet rings. The folds on such curtains are softer. You will need: - fabric for curtains, - blinds, - carpet rings, - a wooden plank equal in length to the width of the future curtains, and bolts with a ring (2, 3, 4 pieces - depends on the number of cords on the blinds), - glue for the fabric , - sewing machine, thread and fishing line.
Photo: littlegreennotebook.com 1. Decide on the size of the curtains. Cut the fabric, not forgetting the allowances for the hem. Work the edges of the curtains on the machine. Sew decorative tape on the outside if you wish.
Photo: littlegreennotebook.com 2. Prepare the mechanism from the blinds. Gently cut the thin lace, also cut the bottom mount. Remove all dies so that you have only the upper mounting mechanism and thick cords.
Photo: littlegreennotebook.com 3. Fold the fabric of the future curtains on a flat surface (for example, on the floor) face down. Put the shutter mechanism on top, placing the top plate at the edge of the curtain. Glue the mechanism to the top edge of the curtain. Pull the laces down and, guided by them, using a ruler, outline the places of attachment of the rings. To determine the optimal distance between the rings, see the table above.
Photo: littlegreennotebook.com 4. Sew the rings, focusing on the labels. Sewn better with a thin fishing line, it is stronger than the thread, plus it will be more invisible from the outside.
Photo: littlegreennotebook.com 5. Screw the ring bolts into the edge of the wooden plank. Glue the bar to the bottom of the curtain.
Photo: littlegreennotebook.com 6. Pass the cords through the rings sewn to the curtain, and fasten them below on the rings of the bar. The curtain can be hung.
Photo: littlegreennotebook.com
Double-layer Roman curtains: a master class
Double-layer Roman curtains are more difficult to sew than single-layer ones. But from such curtains you can, if necessary, remove the knitting needles and wash the fabric in the machine. You will need: - a mechanism for Roman curtains with knitting needles, - fabric for curtains and for lining, - Velcro (Velcro tape), - carpet rings, - scissors, a sewing machine, threads and a needle. This video workshop shows in detail how to sew and hang double-layer Roman curtains on a window:
