How to sew Roman blinds

A device called the Roman blind illustrates the saying about the simplicity of genius. This convenient device fits perfectly into a modern interior - the laconicism of its aesthetics allows the Roman blind to match any style.

INTERESTING! Since the times of Ancient Rome, when ancient designers came up with a convenient device, the appearance and design principle have remained virtually unchanged. Another proof of the well-known practicality of the ancient Latins!

Features of Roman blinds

Their layered design allows you to decorate any room - from a nursery to a balcony. Looks great in the kitchen too!

Advantages

The main advantage of curtains is the ability to have free access to the window sill and open the window when the curtains are closed. In hot summers, this will help make the room cooler: air access is ensured and hot rays do not penetrate.

Budget is another obvious advantage: once you have spent money on a special mechanical cornice, all you have to do is change the strip of fabric attached to it.

ADVICE! A set of curtains for the seasons will allow you to create a special atmosphere in different seasons - golden leaf fall, blooming or spring greenery can be reproduced directly on the window. And specially hand-sewn “New Year’s” curtains will make the house festive for several magical weeks.

Flaws

They only concern the care of such products: washing them is not difficult, but preparing for washing will bring some trouble: you will have to independently remove the weighting material and strips from the pockets, and then put them back in yourself.

There is also a problem that has become a side effect of environmental friendliness: the natural fabrics used to sew Roman blinds tend to shrink, and you can’t curtain a window with them anymore.

ADVICE! Washing in as hot water as possible before cutting the fabric will reduce the severity of the problem. Then the future curtain needs to be thoroughly ironed. Subsequently, it will be possible to wash in a more gentle mode: the main shrinkage will occur during the first wash.

We sew Roman blinds

The simplicity of adapting a Roman blind allows even an inexperienced seamstress to design it correctly.

What you will need

We will proceed from the classic size - 160 cm along the product and 60 cm across (special window sizes require adjustment of the average parameters). Let's prepare:

• your favorite piece of fabric (pre-shrunk!) measuring 165x65 cm, taking into account the processing of the edges;
• two and a half meters of braid for finishing or ribbon;
• Velcro tape (Velcro);
• threads and needles;
• scissors;
• a sewing machine (if you don’t have one, it’s not difficult to do it manually);
• a special kit with a cornice and weights (sold in stores or ordered online).

ADVICE! If you don’t have enough money for a special device and have a minimum of ingenuity, you can build a cornice from wooden slats and rings from disused bras - there are a lot of instructions on the Internet on the topic “Your own master.”

What is the best fabric to choose?

There are special requirements for the choice of material: it must be resistant to fading. Special fabrics for curtains have proven themselves best in this regard. Satin behaves well as a fabric for curtains.

It doesn't matter if the fabric frays: the edges will still be processed. Density and color are a matter of taste and compliance with the design of the room being decorated.

Process step by step

1. We begin to shape the product: to calculate its width, add five centimeters to 60 cm (based on the dimensions of the cornice) (2.5 cm on the left and right). We also increase the length by the same amount: 3.5 cm at the bottom, where there will be a pocket for the weighting part, the rest will be folded at the top.
2. We shape the edges along the length: fold them twice (“sewing in” the strip to the required 60 cm) and stitch.
3. Now we fold the bottom, forming a pocket. To control the length, we measure the fabric - it should be at least 161 cm.
4. Turning the top edge under, sew on the adhesive tape.
5. From the cornice kit we take out the divider strips (4 pcs.). We cut four pieces of braid 60 cm each (taking into account the folding of the sections, which we immediately sew up).
6. We measure five even parts on the curtain for folds. At the “border” places we sew the braid in two lines (from the inside of the curtain, having previously drawn the basting lines). We get pockets where the strips are inserted.
7. At the bottom of the curtains we measure and mark on the left and right on the tape and pocket 12 cm from the edge. We sew rings here for the regulating fold of the cord.
8. We look for guide parts for the cord on the cornice, fasten them at the same 12 cm from the left and right edges and fix them with the screws included in the kit (firmly!).
9. Place the curtain with the wrong side up and attach it to the curtain rod.
10. Having threaded the cord through the rings, we knit a strong knot on the last one from the bottom near the weighting agent.
11. We insert the weighting part into the pocket, and the strips into the sewn braid.
12. We look for fastenings in the kit and install (you should hear a click). Now we try on the entire structure on the window, marking the fastening points with a marker.
13. Setting aside the cornice with the curtain, we mount the fasteners. Now you can fix the cornice in its permanent place - you're done!

Useful tips

Having installed the curtain in its proper place, experiment with its levels, simply pulling the cord slightly towards you - the light in the room will be adjusted according to your desire.

The pockets can be sewn on one side, although the strips will “sit” quite firmly inside. It is better to leave the second end unsewn - for ease of removal of the strips and weighting material during maintenance.

Does the curtain seem too laconic? It is quite compatible with more conventional curtain models - drapes or tulle. Feel free to use decorative elements - colored cords with bright

tassels, ribbons of contrasting colors, bright edging. Lace fabric will help combine two styles - antique and Provencal, and a print with arabesques and oriental cucumbers will give the bedroom a seraglio atmosphere.

ADVICE! There is no need to complement a curtain with a bright color or a catchy pattern with an excess of decorations - it will turn out tacky.

A little imagination - and you are your own designer! Isn’t that a good start for mastering a new activity?