Cordless Roman Shades

Interior decoration is incomplete without appropriate window treatment. When it comes to window treatments, window blinds or shades is the most dominant option which is used for window covering. Normally, when it comes to installing window blinds to the home décor, most people consider elegance and antiquity as the prime concern. One of such popular home decorating window shades that are chosen by many people are the Roman shades or Roman blinds. However, sometimes untangling the cords of the shades becomes quire irksome, which is the basic idea behind the invention of cordless Roman shades.

Where to Find Cordless Roman Shades

If you are in search of some elegant and subdued window blinds then you should definitely choose the Roman shades. Roman shades are simple or decorative fabric pieces that are installed on the windows. These shades are mostly controlled by cords or strings. Once installed, these shades blend really well with any kind of interior decor theme of your dwelling rather than being an over-the-top decorative feature of the room. It is the main reason why people choose Roman shades over many other types of blinds. Since these are cordless shades, they come with a handle that you need to push down or pull up to decide the placement of the shades as per your requirements. You may also choose Roman shades that come with versatile features of pull and push. If you are in search of bay window blinds, then you can also choose options like two-on-one Roman shades, which are perfect for larger windows.

Apart from variations in functions, there is also a variety in style, design and pattern of these cordless shades. You can get plain, printed, embroidered and designer shades. If you wish, you can also choose those room darkening shades. These shades are an excellent choice as skylight window blinds. You may get window shades in various fabrics like striped, crush, luster, linen, translucent weave, sheers, floral patterns and any other exciting patterns of fabrics. All that you need to do is to decide whether you want the shades in blackout or designer fabrics. Now, about the place where you can find the best deals for these window shades. In case you are not aware, then let me tell you that Roman shades are pretty costly and if you are running with a tight budget, then you may need to search for cheaper option. The best option would be to wait for clearance sales, that offer great discounts on designer as well as light filtering Roman shades with no cords.

How to Make Cordless Roman Shades

In case you are interested in the DIY project of making Roman shades at home, then you can easily learn how to make Roman shades by going through the following instructions.

Material Needed

• Fabric
• Small curtain rings
• Wood batten
• Measuring tape
• Stick-on hook and loop tapes
• Sew-on hook and loop tapes
• Closing hooks
• Hand needle
• Sewing machine

Procedure

First step in the process of learning how to make Roman blinds, you need to measure the size of the window so that you can decide upon the amount of fabric that you are going to need for making these window shades. Once you measure the width as well as length of the window, you need to purchase a wood batten with the same width of the window. Then, stick the hook side of the stick-on hook and loop tape on the front side of the batten. Then mount the batten board at the top of the window by keeping its hook-side down. Now measure the length of the window, starting from the batten board that you installed. Add at least ½ inch into the length measurements and then cut the fabric to this measurement. For width of the fabric, add at least 6 inches to the initial width of the batten and cut the fabric accordingly.

Once you are done with measuring and cutting the fabric for the shades, you now need to hem the fabric on all its side. While doing so, make sure that you are leaving ¼ inch of hem allowance. Then place the fabric right side down and divide the fabric into four equal and vertical sections. Mark the sections and label the three lines (as A,B,C or 1,2,3, etc.). Then, again measure the lines and create "x" mark on every 8 inches on each line. Make sure you start from the bottom of the lines. Attach the curtain rings on the "x" marks that you created. You can use hand sewing method for doing so. Then, join the loop tape on the shade to the hook tape of the bottom, which will help you to hang the shades. Lastly, place closing hook on each bottom ring of each row. Now, lift the hooks so that they catch the rings next to them. Repeat the same with the rest of the rows of the rings and you are done!

Those of you who found this process of making cordless Roman shades confusing, also have a better option in the form of ready to install Roman shades that are available on the market. The actual price of the Roman shades (without cords) is around USD 80 to USD 250, but you can get them on discount prices ranging from USD 25 to USD 100, which makes them really inexpensive!