DIY No Sew Faux Roman Shade

Get fancy looking Roman shades without the cost or the need for a sewing machine with this easy tutorial to make your own faux Roman shade!

Originally I had planned on sharing a fun DIY Valentine’s Day craft today, but evidently things did not go as planned. This whole having a full time job thing really takes up time I could be baking and crafting haha. But anywho, instead I am sharing another DIY home decor project that I tackled – no sew roman shades. Because the window in the stairwell looked naked.

This tutorial is for those of you who do not own a sewing machine but still want to play with fabric. Instead of stitching you will use iron on hem tape which binds the fabric together as if it were stitched. Of course you can use a sewing machine instead if you own one. I do not and therefore opted for this no-sew version. All you need is 3 inexpensive tension rods (found at places like Home Depot or Walmart), iron on hem tape (and an iron), and one yard of fabric.

Side note: If you are buying fabric from JoAnn’s during a big sale (and consequently there is a huge line in the fabric dept), grab a ticket from the cutting counter first and then peruse the store for the items on your list. Lesson learned.

If your window gets a lot of light you may want to consider getting thick fabric, a backer, or just double up on your fabric depending on your preference. I went with a semi-thick fabric and didn’t bother with a backer or doubling up. Even when the light shines through I think it looks fine and dandy. (Except for the fact that I took the picture below before I realized it was draped backwards, but fixed it for the photos above.)

One year ago: Valentine’s Day Recipe Roundup

Two years ago: Lip Balms

Three years ago: Whole Wheat Blueberry Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Four years ago: Velveeta Chicken & Veggie Mac

DIY NO SEW FAUX ROMAN SHADE

Makes 1 shade

Materials:

1 yard of fabric*

Iron on hem tape**

3 tension rods

Directions:

1. Measure the width of the window and hem each side using hem tape (use as directed on package) so that the fabric fits inside the frame of the window. Cut off any excess fabric if necessary.
2. Hem the top of the curtain so that a tension rod can easily be inserted through. Hem the bottom edge if desired.
3. Thread one tension rod through the top and hang at the top of the window. Hang the second tension rod around 6 inches below the top and pull the fabric over, letting it double over like a fold. Hang the third tension rod 6 inches below the second rod and repeat the fold like the first section. Change distance between rods based on personal preference.

*If the window gets a lot of light, use a thick fabric, double your fabric over, or add a back.

**You can use a sewing machine instead if you own one.

Source: Southern in the City