A Roman shade is a flat panel that folds into horizontal pleats when you pull a cord

A roman shade is a window covering made from fabric that hangs flat against the window and pulls up into neat horizontal folds. Unlike a roller shade, which rolls onto a tube, a roman shade uses a system of cords threaded through rings sewn to the back of the fabric. When you pull the cord, the fabric bunches up in even pleats from the bottom to the top. The shade stays in place with a mounting board at the top and a weighted rod or dowel at the bottom.

Sewing a roman shade is a straightforward project if you work through the steps in order. You will need to measure your window, choose and cut fabric, sew the side hems and bottom casing, attach the rings and cords, and mount the shade to your window frame. The whole project typically takes a weekend, and the result is a custom shade that fits your window exactly.

Key Takeaways

  • Measure your window opening width and the full height from the top of the frame to the sill, then add 2 inches to the width and 3 inches to the height for seam allowance and the mounting board.
  • Cut your fabric to size, sew 1-inch side hems and a 2-inch bottom casing, then press all seams flat before moving to the ring placement step.
  • Sew rings to the back of the shade in vertical columns spaced 8 to 12 inches apart horizontally, with rings 6 to 8 inches apart vertically, starting 1 inch from the bottom casing.
  • Thread cords through the rings from bottom to top, then across the top through a cord lock or pulley system, so pulling one cord raises the entire shade evenly.
  • Mount the shade to the window frame using a 1-by-2 board at the top, and test the cord tension before hanging the shade permanently.

Measure your window and calculate fabric size

Start by measuring the inside width of your window frame from left to right. Measure the height from the top of the frame down to the windowsill. Write both numbers down. Add 2 inches to the width (1 inch on each side for hems) and add 3 inches to the height (1 inch for the top seam that attaches to the mounting board, and 2 inches for the bottom casing that holds the weighted rod).

For example, if your window is 36 inches wide and 48 inches tall, your fabric should be cut to 38 inches wide and 51 inches tall. Buy fabric that is at least this wide; if your fabric is narrower than your window, you will need to sew two pieces together along the length, which adds complexity. Choose a medium-weight fabric like linen, cotton sateen, or a cotton-linen blend. Avoid very stretchy or slippery fabrics for your first shade.

Cut, hem, and finish the fabric panel

Lay your fabric on a clean, flat surface and measure out the dimensions you calculated. Use a rotary cutter and ruler, or mark the lines with tailor's chalk and cut with sharp fabric scissors. Cut straight lines; uneven edges will show when the shade is hung.

Fold and press a 1-inch hem along each side of the fabric. Sew these side hems with a straight stitch, using a thread color that matches your fabric. Fold and press a 2-inch hem along the bottom edge, then sew it closed. This bottom casing is where the weighted rod will slide in later. Press all seams flat with an iron. The top edge will be attached to the mounting board, so you do not need to hem it yet.

Mark and sew the ring placement

Turn the fabric over so the back side faces you. You will sew rings to this back side. The rings should be arranged in vertical columns running from the bottom toward the top. Space the columns 8 to 12 inches apart horizontally—closer spacing creates more support and smoother folds, but wider spacing uses fewer rings and cords.

Mark the ring positions with tailor's chalk or a fabric pen. Start the first ring 1 inch up from the bottom casing seam. Space the rings 6 to 8 inches apart vertically as you move up the shade. The top ring should be about 2 inches below the top edge. Sew each ring to the fabric using a needle and thread that matches the fabric, or use a small zigzag stitch on your machine. Sew through the ring and the fabric several times to make sure it is find. Do not sew through to the front of the shade.

Thread the cords through the rings

Cut a length of shade cord (also called roman shade cord or lift cord) for each vertical column of rings. The cord should be long enough to run from the bottom ring, up through all the rings in that column, across the top of the shade, and down the side where you will pull it. A good rule is to cut each cord about twice the height of your shade plus 12 inches.

Thread one cord through all the rings in the first column, starting at the bottom ring and working upward. Tie a knot at the bottom ring so the cord cannot slip out. Repeat for each column. Once all cords are threaded, lay the shade flat and pull each cord gently to make sure the rings are aligned and the fabric does not bunch unevenly. Adjust the knots at the bottom if needed.

Attach the shade to the mounting board and test the cords

Cut a 1-by-2 board to the width of your window opening. This is your mounting board. Fold the top edge of the fabric over the board and staple it to the underside, spacing staples about 4 inches apart. The fabric should wrap around the board smoothly without wrinkles.

Bring all the cords to one side of the shade (usually the right side, depending on your preference). Thread each cord through a cord lock or pulley system mounted on the side of the mounting board. A cord lock is a small plastic or metal device that holds the cords in place when you pull them. Tie all the cords together at the end so you can raise and lower the shade with a single pull. Test the shade by pulling the cord slowly—the fabric should fold up evenly from the bottom, with each pleat forming at the ring positions. If one side rises faster than the other, adjust the cord lengths by retying the knots at the bottom rings.

Insert the weighted rod and mount the shade to your window

Slide a weighted rod or wooden dowel into the bottom casing. The rod should be slightly shorter than the width of the shade so it slides in easily without binding. The weight helps the shade hang flat and keeps the bottom edge straight when the shade is lowered. If you cannot find a weighted rod, a wooden dowel works, though the shade may not hang quite as flat.

Mount the shade to your window frame using the mounting board. If you are mounting inside the frame, use small L-brackets or angle irons to find the board to the top of the frame. If you are mounting outside the frame (which is more common), screw the board to the wall above the window or to the trim. Use screws long enough to go through the board and into solid wood or wall studs. Avoid drywall alone, which will not hold the weight of the shade. Once the board is find, pull the cord gently to raise and lower the shade a few times. The shade should move smoothly and stop at any height you pull it to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size rings should I use?

Use rings that are 1/2 inch in diameter or slightly larger. They need to be large enough for the cord to slide through easily but small enough to be inconspicuous on the back of the shade. Plastic rings are lighter and less visible than metal, but metal rings last longer. Buy rings sold specifically for roman shades—they are designed to work with standard shade cord.

Can I make a roman shade without a sewing machine?

Yes, but it will take much longer. You can hand-sew all the seams using a needle and thread, though the stitches will be visible and may not be as strong as machine stitches. The rings can be hand-sewn. If you do not have a sewing machine, consider borrowing one or using a community sewing space, which often rents machines by the hour.

What happens if the shade does not fold evenly?

Uneven folds usually mean the rings are not aligned vertically or the cords are different lengths. Check that each ring in a column is directly above the one below it. If the cords are different lengths, adjust them by retying the knots at the bottom rings. Pull the shade up and down a few times—sometimes the fabric settles and the folds improve after use.

Do I need to line the fabric?

Lining is optional but helpful. A lining fabric sewn to the back of your main fabric makes the shade hang better, blocks more light, and hides the rings and cords from the outside. If you want to line your shade, buy lining fabric the same size as your main fabric, sew them together along the sides and bottom before hemming, then treat them as one piece for the rest of the project.

How do I clean a roman shade?

Vacuum the shade gently with an upholstery brush attachment to remove dust. For stains, spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, then blot dry. Do not submerge the shade in water, as this can damage the rings and cords. If the shade needs a full wash, remove it from the mounting board, carefully cut the cords, and hand-wash the fabric in cool water, then rehang and rethread the cords.