Materials

• To make Roman shades you can use just about any type of fabric. Medium to heavyweight fabric works best, though. You will also need a coordinating fabric for the liner. Other materials you need are thread to match the fabric, thin nylon cord, four screw eyelets, four screws, plastic rings, wooden dowels and a decorative bead.
  
  Tools such as a drill, staple gun and a sewing machine also are needed.
  
  Some home decor pattern manufacturers have patterns for Roman shades. These can be purchased at most fabric stores. However, a pattern is not necessary if you take your time to measure and cut carefully.
  
  

Fabric

• Making your own Roman shades gives you the flexibility to create a one-of-a-kind look for your windows. Fabric can be medium to heavyweight. A neutral color scheme (tan or white) for the lining shade works best, since this portion of the shade will be seen from outside. It also prevents colors from fading by sunlight.
  
  To calculate how much fabric you will need for each Roman shade, measure the width of window, and add two inches--one inch on each side for seams.
  
  Measure length, then divide window length by five. Add that number to the window length, plus two more inches for seams. For example, if your window length is 40 inches, you divide by 5 to get 8, add that to the window length for 48 inches, then add two more inches. You would need to cut your fabric to 50 inches.
  
  Use the same formula for fabric lining.
  
  

Making the Shade

• After cutting your fabric per your measurements, pin fabric and lining right sides together on sides and bottom. Sew pieces together 1 inch from raw edge on sides and 2 inches from the bottom.
  
  On the bottom corners, cut off each corner diagonally. Then add another row of stitching one inch from the bottom. Measure and cut wooden dowel and insert through bottom pocket created by double stitches.
  
  Turn shade right side out, use iron to press down seams. To create folds, measure down five inches from the top raw edge, mark the lining on both sides, then measure down one inch, and mark on both sides. Continue to the bottom of the shade.
  
  Fold and pin the one-inch areas to create pockets or flaps, Stitch. Slip dowels into each flap, then hand stitch shut on each side to keep dowels from slipping out.
  
  Starting two inches from each side, mark flaps at six to eight inch intervals, depending on the width--use your judgement, these should be equally spaced across the back of shade. Then hand sew the plastic rings to dowel pockets at each mark. Fold down one inch, and stitch top seam down.
  
  Staple the top edge of the shade to the front edge of the 1-by-1-inch board (that has been cut to width). Pull gently to avoid puckering.
  
  Attach eyelets into the underside of the board, lining up with each line of rings on the blind. Attach another eyelet one inch from the right side of the board.
  
  Knot one end of of each length of cord to bottom rings. Thread the cords through rings and through screw eyelets, taking all three cords to right side of the board. Trim cord to equal length and thread through decorative bead. Tie a knot above and below bead to secure.
  
  Using the drill, screw the board to window frame.