How to Make No Sew Fabric Roller Window Shades

Making your own fabric roller shades is really easier than you think. The most important part of the whole process is the fabric selection. These are really one of the cheapest and most straight forward decorative window coverings you can make.

Don'ts –

• Upholstery fabrics are typically too thick. By the time they are rolled up around the top, the thickness is too much and it won’t fit into the bracket.
• Silk and satin fabrics are too delicate and the edges will fray easily. When you glue these to the plastic, the glue will bleed through and it will be a disaster.
• Use a loosely woven fabric - you will see the plastic shade backing easily.
  

Do's

• Ideal fabrics to use for this is a printed cotton or linen. This fabric will be thin enough to roll and sturdy enough to be pulled on day after day.
• Most sheets & shower curtains work well.
  

Supply List

• Plastic Roller Shade(s) & Mounting Brackets
• Fabric
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Drop Cloth
• Spray Fabric Glue
• Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive
• Office Binder Clips
• Staple Gun (optional)
• Screwdriver

1. Measure your windows. Roller shades are usually best used on an inside mount, but if your windows do not allow it, then use an outside mount. Order cheap roller shades that are cut to fit, based on these numbers. If you want to block light, order the room darkening roller shades. If you want to illuminate the fabric, order the light filtering roller shades. I also recommend using the room darkening shade when using an outside mount. Then there won’t be a distracting frame around the window from the difference in light penetration. Don’t forget to buy the roller shade brackets! They often don’t come with the shade. Another helpful accessory is a plastic clip that attaches to the bottom hem – this prevents dirty fingerprints on the fabric when pulling it up or down.
2. Next step is to unroll the plastic and remove it from the cardboard tube. You can cut it off, or rip it out with the staples. It doesn’t really matter if the staples stay in or come out as long as they are flat and not sticking out from the cardboard.
3. On a large flat surface, lay out your fabric (already ironed if necessary). Cut it to the size of the shade, plus a 1” overhang on each side. For the length, you should cut it to the length of the window, plus 1” for the bottom and about 6” of extra fabric at the top. This is so your cardboard tube will not show even when the shade is pulled down all the way.
4. Use a drop cloth or do this in an area where it won’t matter if the glue is sprayed onto the surface you are working on. You will need to spray the glue as close to the edges as possible to ensure that the shade does not start coming apart. Read the instruction on your glue. Try to get one that does not have a quick drying time. You will be able to reposition the fabric easier and smooth out any wrinkles that may be there. Let the glue dry completely before going any further.
5. Once dry, turn the shade over. Now is the time to glue the side seams. Use the binder clips to fold the 1” edges over and hold them in place. Then run a bead of Fabri-tac glue down them to keep them. Let dry completely. For the bottom pocket, make 2-3 relief cuts in the fabric, put a couple dots of glue on the edges and tuck them into the pocket. Insert the plastic rod for the bottom pocket.
6. You can use either a staple gun or the Fabri-tac adhesive to attach the fabric to the cardboard tube. Just be sure that you are attaching it so that the face fabric will be to the room, and the plastic will be to the outside. When dry, roll up the shade.
7. Mount the roller shade brackets to the wall – a screwdriver is all that is usually necessary. Hang the shade and test it out.

Imagine the all of the possibilities you have with these – use old tablecloths, or change them out seasonally, use them to decorate for holidays, Have your kids design their own shades using a drop cloth & acrylic paints.