DIY Roman Shades - How To Make Natural Roman Shades From Linen Fabric
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Roman shades made out of linen fabric add style and function to a space. The great versatility and truly elegant clean lines turn linen shades into a homeowner’s best friend. The natural linen fabric showcases its ruggedness and classical charming texture, highlighting the aesthetic nature of flax. Linen's versatility extends to various homeware products like hand towels, kitchen towels, and bath towels, emphasizing its historical usage and durability. Here, we have the complete details of how you can make your DIY Roman Shades from linen. This project is budget-friendly, and you can make window treatments with linen fabric to match your style and home décor.
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Why Linen Fabric for My Roman Shades?
Linen production and manufacture are directly linked with flax production, as the fabric that comes by weaving the pre-soaked and washed fibers off the flax plant; linen fibers are natural. Flax fibers are highly valued for their durability, breathability in hot weather, and unique texture; linen fabric is a highly suitable material for making Roman shades. Durable fibers of linen fabric have a particular advantage over other synthetic fibers because as it ages, it becomes more beautiful with time, and linen softens while still retaining its strength even in hot climates.
Linen products are produced in various countries, including China and several European nations, which are key producers. These products often have certifications emphasizing sustainability and safety standards, ensuring consumer trust and environmental protection.
Linen production from flax plants‘ fiber in Egypt dates back to around 5000 BCE, making it one of the oldest lightweight textiles in human history. It was a symbol of purity, wealth, and the afterlife in ancient Egypt. Made from the natural fibers of the flax stalks, linen was a vital part of everyday life in the hot climate of Egypt, used for clothing garments, linens’ burial shrouds, were also used, and it was even used as a form of currency.
If you want an investment in a soft, hypoallergenic, light, and durable fabric with a timeless appeal as window treatments or bed sheets, linen is the answer. Linen fabric’s slubby weave will offer a nice texture to the Roman shades and may differ for other shades, whereas the natural fiber within the linen adds a bit of character.
Material needed For DIY Natural Fibers Roman Shades
- Natural linen fabric
- Measuring tape
- Fabric scissors
- Iron and ironing board Pins
- Sewing machine Thread,
- Matching or contrasting Wooden dowels or Roman shade rods.
- Roman shade cord kit [includes your choice of Cord, Rings & Mounting]
- Fabric glue or fusible tape (only if you are using a no-sew method)
DIY Roman Shades from Linen — Step-by-step tutorial
1. Measure Your Windows
First, take your window and measure its width. If it is inside the mount, measure the width between the window frame accurately. For an outside mount: Provide extra width and length if you prefer that the shades lay over your entire window. Be sure to leave an extra 2 inches on each side for a hem when you cut your fabric.
2. Cut the Fabric
When you have your measurements, lay the softer surface of linen flat and cut it into different sizes. Linen is also used for making durable kitchen textiles like dish towels due to its plain-woven structure. Then, cut a lining fabric, which will help to weigh down the shades and provide privacy; it is also a great way to lighten up rooms with fewer windows if you want it as an option.
3. Hem the Edges
Fold the linen fabric along the edges up by 1 inch, then fold over again to create a nice hem. Iron out the folds during the process using an iron and pin them. Stitch the edges with a sewing machine or use fabric glue or fusible tape (no-sew method) That way, you look polished and professional.
4. Attach the Dowels or Rods
In order to make Roman shades with folds, you need wooden rods or dowels that go across the linen fabric. These additionally will have to be spaced, in spite of everything 8 to twelve inches apart. Add some loops of fabric (sewn or glued) on the back side at each place you marked out, and slide in your dowels. This will keep the linen fabric tidy when you raise your shades.
5. Install the Cord System
After that, you will install the cord system, which helps control direct daylight.
IMPORTANT STEP:
While installing your linen Roman shades. Adhere the small rings to be aligned with the dowels vertically down the back of the cymbal shade. Feed cord through the rings, going up from the bottom and ending on top. When you have threaded all of the cords, tie them together at the bottom and then attach them to either your mounting board or window frame with hardware that comes in your Roman shade kit.
6. Mount the Shades
Now, linen Roman shades are ready to assemble in your window. Since every window will require some kind of covering, there is an endless variety of styles to choose from; you can even attach the shades inside or outside your frame, depending upon your preferences.
Drill the provided mounting hardware into place, making sure they are at level. After the installation of linen Roman shades, pull the cords to hoist them up so that you can make the adjustments needed for the shades to move smoothly.
Conclusion
If you are the owner of a decent sewing machine, then creating your own linen Roman shades out of dyed natural linen fabric is an exciting task that will allow you to give sophistication and functionality to your windows.
The warm texture and durability of Linen suits as a perfect choice for window treatments that will last a long time. These steps will allow you to customize linen shades that fit your aesthetic and complement the elegance of whatever space they are added to.
Have you currently made linen Roman shades, or are you planning to? Then, share your experience or give us some tips for the go. Tell us what you think of the new design in the comments below.
Author’s bio: Lydia Hughes is a skilled content writer at 3HLinen, specializing in home and design. With a keen eye for window treatments and bedding, she crafts engaging content. Previously an interior designer, Lydia's passion for creating cozy, stylish spaces shines through, helping readers transform their homes with ease.