DIY Roman Shades With Balsa Wood

Measure the width and height of the window inside the frame.

Determine how many balsa sticks and folds you will need in the Roman shade based on the height of the window. Make one fold every 10 or 12 inches. For example, a 42-inch window would have three folds, and a 72-inch window would have five folds.

Cut the fabric so that it measures the width of the window plus 2 inches.

Cut the fabric so that it measures the height of the window, plus 2 inches for hems and 1 inch for every fold. For example, if your window is 72 inches high, cut a 79-inch piece of fabric.

Fold the sides of the fabric over 1/4 inch and then over another 3/4 inch to the wrong side. Pin the fabric along the sides, the sew along the inside edge.

Fold the bottom and top edge of the fabric over 1/4 inch and then over 3/4 inch, as you did on the sides. Pin and sew along the inside edge.

Measure 10 or 12 inches from the top of the fabric on the wrong side, based on how many folds you determined you needed in step 2. Fold the fabric at the 10- or 12-inch mark to make a small pocket for the balsa wood stick. The fold should be 1/2 inch wide. Pin along the width of the fold, then stitch it closed. Repeat, making as many folds as needed, each spaced about 10 or 12 inches apart.

Use the hand saw to cut the sticks of balsa wood to a length that is one inch shorter than the shade's width. Slide one balsa wood stick into each pocket on the shade.

Cut a strip of hook and loop closure equal to the length of the balsa wood sticks. Peel the backing off of one half of the closure and attach to the remaining balsa stick.

Pin the other half of the closure to the top edge of the shade on the wrong side of the fabric. Stitch the closure to the shade to secure it in place.

Press the hook and loop closure on the shade to the half of the closure on the balsa wood.

Hand sew 1/2-inch plastic rings on the sides of the Roman shade on the folds. Each folds should have two rings -- one on the left side and one on the right side.

Thread the nylon cord or thin piece of ribbon through the plastic rings, starting on the bottom right side, threading up through the rings on the right side, then over and down through the rings on the left side. Leave about 1 yard of cord or ribbon extending from the bottom of the shade.

Hang the Roman shade in the window. Mount it in place by hammering nails through the balsa wood and fabric on the top. Use one nail every six inches.