Faux Roman Shades

Another project I tackled this week was making faux roman shades for our new bedroom.

I wanted something simple to hide our blinds and decorate the window without being a big focal point. The barn door headboard is a huge focal point, and so will our closet. Hopefully the closet will be done this weekend, so check back next week to see how we've squeezed into a single closet while still managing to make it look nice! 

These blinds were already installed on the windows in this room--it used to be our boys' room, remember? While bamboo shades are much prettier and trendier (it's a word, right?), we're trying to do this room switch while spending as little as possible. And you know what? Who sees them anyway? Just me and my husband, and I like how the white just blends in with the trim and isn't trying to make yet another statement in this small room! 

I used 1/4 of a drop cloth canvas to make each faux blind (there are two). I actually used one of these panels from our old room and cut it in half. Then I experimented with a million and six different folds. I toyed with the idea of making a real roman shade, but decided to leave well enough alone. 

Once I got the folds right, I lined them up under my sewing machine with a strip of canvas on top, then just sewed away, folding and tucking the raw strip to make a ruffle. Since one of the flaps folds over the back (to avoid a rod pocket), I had to stop the sewing machine about two inches from the top and sew the ruffle by hand while making sure I didn't sew through the back layer and not have an opening for my curtain rod!

And for now, that's how they hang. I'm not sure I love the rod--well, I like the decorative finial, but the rod hangs a good four inches from the wall. Oh well, if it bugs me I can change it later!

By the way, just how do you take pictures of windows during the day? I know you're not supposed to use flash and natural light is the best for photos, but I kept coming up with this:

Ok, I just can't end with that picture, so here's another one so you leave here with good memories! 

Ahhhh... Much better. Oh, I forgot to mention that this project was free! The curtain hardware is from our old room (which was from our old house and originally from Bed Bath & Beyond with a gift card from our wedding and a 20% off coupon) and the curtain panel I cut up was from our old room and is really a drop cloth that only cost $10 at WalMart and I'm getting another project out of it too!

Hope you like the faux roman blinds! Come back next week for more on our new bedroom. It's almost done!

Day 21