DIY: Easy Steps for Making Decorative Roman Shades with Fabulous Bottom Hems

Creating unique and attractive Roman shades with fancy bottom hems can add a professional look to any window. While it takes a few additional steps to assemble the roman shade, the process itself isn’t complicated. This guide will explain how to customize and add a decorative hem to the bottom of a Roman shade to make it truly one of a kind.

To get started, follow these general steps no matter what type of window frame you have. When measuring to ensure a good fit, measure the window length from the top to the sill or ledge, taking into account the depth of the decorative hem by adding 1 inch extra. Measure the width of the window for proper horizontal fit. Cut the fabric to these measurements, allowing for 1 inch seam allowances down the sides and a 2 inch top hem to attach it to the header rail.

Once fabric has been cut and stitched, sketch your desired decorative hem shape on a piece of paper or newspaper. Transfer the chalk pattern to the bottom edge of the fabric, taking care to match the extreme bottom edge. You’ll need to prepare a second piece of fabric in the same size and shape to form a dowel pocket for the weight of the shade. Sew the fabric piece, right side out, to the back of the decorative hem. Sew the dowel pocket 2 inches down from the top of the backing fabric and insert the dowel. Leave the three remaining sides open to insert fusible webbing.

Cut the fusible webbing according to the same contour pattern as the decorative hem and insert it. Iron on the fabric with a dry setting on the highest temperature to stiffen the fabric and keep the hem from drooping. Sew the edges of the hem shut and press a narrow finishing hem around the contoured bottom. Finally, sew the finishing hem together close to the outer edge of the fabric.

To add the final touches, trim the decorative hem with contrast cord, braid, ribbon, beading, or a large tassel. Once all that’s done, add the lifting string assembly, velcro hook and loop top strips and hang the Roman shade. This project requires patience, but the effort pays off when you finally see the shades in place, showcasing your unique and attention-grabbing decorative hem.
When you want to add a unique accent to your Roman shades, you can use the extra steps involved in finishing them off with a decorative bottom hem. Whether you decide to mount your shades inside or outside of your window frame, it’s simple to make them stand out with some additional measurements and materials. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make Roman shades with a fancy bottom hem.

First you will need to accurately measure the length of your window from the top down to the window sill or ledge, which should include the depth of the desired miscellaneous hem material in addition to the inch of finishing hem that you will need. You will also need to measure the width for the correct horizontal fit of the shade.

Once you have your measurements, it’s time to sew the fabric for your roman shade. Cut your fabric to the desired length and width and make sure that you leave one inch seam allowances on the sides and a two inch hem at the top for the header rail attachment. This is also the time to leave side hems open for the depth of the hem plus two inches for inserting the bottom dowel into the rod pocket.

Using a piece of newsprint paper sketch the exact shape of the desired decorative hem. Make sure to outline the contours of the hem on the bottom edge of the fabric with some tailors chalk and then carefully cut out the outline. Following this, use the pattern to cut out a small piece of fusible web interfacing that will also have the same contours.

Now take the smaller member of fabric that you cut out, turn it right side out and then sew it to the back of the shade; make sure that the extreme bottom edges match together. Sew the dowel pocket two inches down from the top of the backing fabric and then insert the dowel. Finally, when you have the pocket edges closed, you can leave the remaining sides of the decorative hem unlatched for the fusible web interfacing.

Once you have the fusible web interfacing lined with the fabric you can use your steam iron on the highest, dry setting to secure the fabric. This will make sure that the hem’s structure stays put and doesn’t droop. You can also use this time to sew the side edges of the decorative hem closed before pressing a narrow finishing hem around the curved bottom edge. Finish the decorative hem with a contrast of braid, cord, ribbon, beads or large tassels to make it unique.

Your last step is to install the lifting string assembly, the velcro hook and loop top strips and then hang your finished shade. With an inside or outside frame mount you will be sure to have a perfectly fitting shade with an emphasis on the decorative hem that can be seen while the shade is open and closed.