How great is this DIY home decor idea? I love the look of roman shades so much more than blinds or curtains. I truly thought I could not afford them and sat wishing away to someday have the money to buy custom shades for my bedroom door I look at every day. Then, I came across a tutorial for making one and decided not only to make one but to shoot a video of the one I made next for my kitchen. No matter what size window or doot you want to add a Roman shade to, you can do this yourself, I promise. I was not gifted with any amazing sewing skills, and this project only requires some fabric glue and accurate measuring. Watch the video to see how easy it is, then go get a blind cut to the size of your window or door, plus the fabric you choose and you will be in business.

DIY Roman Shades

Make A Window Shade From Mini Blinds With Custom Fabric

Supplies Needed for Homemade DIY Window Shades:

Fabric (see measuring notes below and in video)

Mini blind that covers window (we use cordless here and recommend that)

Fabri-tac Fabric glue

2 large buttons (these need not match, they are just used in assembly)

How to Make A Roman Shade

Step One

Measure your window.

Get a mini blind the same size as your window, you can go one inch out if needed.

Step Two

Measure fabric with blind extended over the fabric. You will need enough extra fabric to have a 3-inch allowance on all sides of the mini blind.

Step Three

Mark fabric allowing 3” overhang around all edges (3” at top, 3” at bottom, 3” on each side)

Step Four

Then cut your fabric.

Step Five

Fold fabric and allow for a 1.5 inch margin on both sides.

Step Six

Iron a crease all the way around on your fabric.

Step Seven

Place fabric glue inside all creases and smooth down, let dry.

Mark and fold, iron the other two sides. Glue and fold. Allow to dry.

Step Eight

Step Place blind back on the fabric and extend. Remove pull cord from the blind by dislodging pegs at bottom of the mini blind rod.
Hold tightly and pull the cords out of the blind.

Tie 2 buttons on pull cords to stop the cords from reeling back in.

Step Nine

Cut and remove all ladder cord from the miniblind.
Take away all blind slats.

Step Ten

Place all blind pieces on fabric (top rod, 3 slats, and bottom rod).
Measuring the blind slat placement evenly across your fabric.

Step Eleven

Glue all the blind pieces to the fabric with fabric glue and let dry.

Step Twelve

Remove buttons and run your pull cord through the 3 slats and secure on the bottom bar replacing pegs and tying securely.
Let dry completely and hang blind.

Step Thirteen

Install mounting hardware for mini blinds according to instructions and press blind in place. Enjoy!

I’ve made two of these so far, one for my bedroom door and another super cute roman shade for my kitchen window. I just love how easy it was to make, plus I got to pick out matching fabrics for both. Everyone who sees this is super impressed, but none so much as me. I love that I was able to make home decor that fits my budget and it looks truly amazing.