DIY Roman Blind 

Roman blinds are perfect for that one bland corner in the house that just needs a bit of colour and interest. We’ve scoured the web for an easy DIY version that even non-sewers will be able to do.

What makes a roman blind different? 

A window treatment can be called a roman blind if it opens in one particular way. A roller blind, for instance, lives up to its name by rolling down and up using a pulley system. 

A roman blind folds down layer by layer, almost like a very simple map. When it is raised, it looks like a neat stack of fabric. Traditional roman blinds also make use of a cord to open and close. 

There are many ways of going about it, but we have chosen to use magnets, rather than a pulley system. 

Here we go! 

You’ll need: 

• 2 cleats, the length of your window. One will be the headrail that will attach your blind to your windowsill, and the other will be the bottom of the blind. I chose one 44mm x 3.6m cleat which meant I was able to halve it for the size I needed.  Any wood will do, but pine works well 
• Velcro, the width of your blind. I chose this heavy-duty self-adhesive version, but strong sew-on Velcro works just as well 
• Fusible hem tape or thread matching your fabric 
• 3 – 5 13mm wooden dowels, (depending on length of finished blind) the width of the finished blind minus 2 cm 
• Roman blind tape or strips of fabric / ribbon wide enough to house the dowels 

• Very strong magnets 
• Hot glue gun for securing magnets OR thread matching your fabric 
• Main fabric 
• Lining fabric 
• Pins for securing fabric while working 

• An iron, a wood saw, a drill and screws 

3.  Pleats, please

Lay your blind with the main fabric face down and measure the width of your head rail from the top of the blind. Mark with a pencil or chalk.
Divide the remaining length of the blind into 20cm to 30cm pleats (depending on the length of the finished blind). Mark the pleats with a pencil or chalk for reference.
Iron the pleats down flat.
Pin your fusible hem tape over the marked pleats. Pin the roman blind tape over the hem tape and iron on. Remove the pins as you go.
Iron the pleats down once more for a crisp look.

4.  Headrail

Before attaching the headrail to the blind, drill the holes through the cleat and into the windowsill to ensure it fits, then remove it.

Secure the head rail to the top of the blind on the lining side with your extra-strength Velcro.

5.  Dowels and magnets

Attach the magnets, one on each end of the dowel and one in the middle, either with hot glue or by sewing them on.
When folding the blind, the bottom set of magnets will attach to the upper set like a concertina.
Insert the dowels into the tubes and close the ends either with hot glue or thread.
Remember that magnets have opposite poles! Make sure that the magnets touching each other will attract and not repel each other!

6.  Test before hanging

Have a helper hold up the blind by the head rail so that you can test the magnets and see if the blind is square. Now is the time to make any adjustments. 

When you have hung your blind, take a picture of it and share with us on your socials! We’d love to see it!