Made to Measure Roman Blinds: The Complete Buyer’s Guide
- Blind Buying Guides
Bespoke Roman blinds are the second most popular made to measure product we make, right behind curtains, and it’s easy to see why. They suit almost any room, they’re a good fit for windows where full-length curtains feel like too much, and every blind is made to order with exceptional care and attention to detail, with many hand-finished in our Cotswold workroom by our skilled makers.
This guide is about buying made to measure Roman blinds with confidence: choosing the right Roman blind lining and fabric, taking accurate measurements, working out how much fabric you’ll need, and knowing what actually happens once you place an order.
Choosing your Roman blind fabric
Roman blinds fold rather than drape, so the fabric you choose affects how neatly they stack as much as how they look against the window. The best blind fabric choices are:
- Cotton and cotton-polyester blends: the most popular choice for Roman blinds, giving a crisp, structured fold that holds its shape well.
- Linen: a softer, more relaxed fold with natural texture, suited to a more casual or lived-in look.
- Velvet: for a richer, more textured blind with real depth of colour and a chunkier, more luxurious stack.
- Wool and wool-blends: warm and substantial, a good option for a room that wants extra insulation as well as style.
Choose from hundreds of Roman blind fabrics, from natural linens and soft plains to bold prints and velvets, to create a look that’s truly your own, and order fabric samples to see colours and textures in your own space before you commit. For a closer look at how each of these fabric types behaves specifically in a Roman blind, including which folds best and which is most hardwearing, our full guide to the Best Fabric for Roman Blinds goes into more detail.
Choosing your Roman blind lining
Roman blind lining isn’t just about privacy, it also protects the face fabric from sun fading and gives the blind a better fold and a more substantial finish. Popular options are:
- Blackout lining: for full light control, particularly good in a bedroom or media room.
- Bonded blackout and interlining: blackout and interlining bonded together in one layer, giving you the fullness of an interlined blind with less bulk to sew.
- Thermal lining: helps keep a room warmer in winter and cooler in summer, useful on a draughty kitchen or bathroom window.
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Standard lining: a lighter option where full blackout isn’t needed, but you still want the fabric protected and the fold to hang properly.
How to measure for Roman blinds
Roman blinds can be hung either inside or outside the window recess, and which you choose changes how you measure.
Measuring inside a recess: first check there aren’t any obstructions, such as window handles or tiles, that will get in the way of the blind. Measure the length and the width in several places, then use the smallest measurements throughout. Windows are rarely perfectly square, and this ensures the finished blind actually fits the space rather than catching on one side.
Measuring outside a recess (a face fit): decide how far above the window you’d like the blind to hang. For Roman blinds specifically, we’d recommend 15-20cm above the window, as this allows most of the blind to be pulled up away from the window when open, maximising the light into the room.
If you’d rather not do the maths by hand, every fabric page on our website has a built-in blinds calculator: just enter your dimensions and it will work out how much fabric you need automatically. You can also follow our YouTube Guide on How to Measure for Roman Blinds.
How much fabric do you need?
Once you have your finished blind size, add 6cm to each side for seam allowances and 50cm to the drop for top and bottom turnings - this gives you your cut drop length.
If you’ve chosen a patterned fabric and need more than one width, you’ll also need to account for the pattern repeat so the design lines up across the blind. Divide your cut drop length by the pattern repeat and round up to the nearest whole number, then multiply that number by the pattern repeat to get your adjusted cut drop.
For example: on a cut drop of 150cm with a 35cm pattern repeat: 150 ÷ 35 = 4.2, rounded up to 5. Multiply 5 by the 35cm repeat and you get a 175cm cut drop. For a two-width blind, double that to 350cm, so you’d need 3.5m of fabric. We wouldn’t recommend making a Roman blind wider than two fabric widths. If any of this feels fiddly, it’s exactly the kind of thing our team can work out for you, either online or on a virtual appointment.
Installation and child safety
All of our blinds are supplied with the necessary safety features, including devices designed to reduce the risk of cords or chains forming a hazardous loop. We observe the maximum cord and chain lengths set out in the European standards and provide full instructions with every blind. We’re an accredited member of the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) and fully support its Make It Safe campaign, which has shaped how internal blinds are made, sold and professionally installed across the industry.
When ordering online, your Roman blind will be supplied with the necessary child safety chain breaks, along with warning notices and full fitting instructions. If you’re within 25 miles of one of our stores, you can also choose to have our professional fitters safely install your blind for you.
If you have any questions at all about child safety and blinds, please call our helpline on 01242 388390; we’re always happy to talk it through.
How our made to measure Roman blind ordering process works
Once you’ve settled on a fabric and lining, ordering is straightforward:
- Choose recess or face fit and take your measurements, or book a free virtual appointment and we’ll help you get this right first time.
- Select your fabric and lining, but order fabric samples first if you’d like to see them in your own light.
- Choose your mechanism: our Roman blinds come with a quality metal headrail and chain mechanism as standard, available in different finishes.
- Place your order, and your blind is made to your exact measurements.
Each made to measure Roman blind is crafted to order, typically delivered within 3-5 weeks of confirmation. This allows time for precise cutting, careful stitching and, where chosen, hand finishing in our Cotswold workroom. You’ll receive updates as your blinds progress, and we’ll let you know as soon as they’re ready to dispatch.We supply made to measure blinds UK-wide, so if you’re not local to us, everything above can be done from anywhere in the country via a free virtual appointment. If you are nearby, our showroom team can also help you add finishing touches like contrast borders and trims.
Matching curtains and accessories
Most of our Roman blind fabrics are also available as made to measure curtains, so it’s easy to coordinate your window dressings for a seamless, balanced look. Both are made to the same high standards, with many hand-finished in our Cotswold workroom. Layering a Roman blind with curtains in the same or a complementary fabric adds depth, warmth and texture to a room, while using one fabric across both creates a calmer, more pulled-together feel.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure for Roman blinds?
Decide first whether you want an inside recess or outside (face) fit. For an inside recess, check for obstructions, measure length and width in several places, and use the smallest measurements. For a face fit, position the blind 15-20cm above the window so it can stack fully away from the glass when open.
How much fabric do I need for a Roman blind?
Take your finished blind size, add 6cm to each side and 50cm to the drop for turnings to get your cut drop. For patterned fabric needing more than one width, divide the cut drop by the pattern repeat, round up, and multiply back out to keep the pattern matching across the blind.
How long does it take to receive made to measure Roman blinds?
Typically we’ll deliver your Roman blinds 3-5 weeks from order confirmation, to allow time for precise cutting, stitching and, where applicable, hand finishing in our Cotswold workroom.
Can I order made to measure Roman blinds without visiting a shop?
Yes. You can order Roman blinds online, and if you’d like guidance first, our free virtual appointments cover fabric choice, lining and measuring from anywhere in the UK.
Ready to order
Whether you’ve already picked a fabric or you’re still deciding between a few samples, we’re happy to talk it through. Browse our Roman blind fabric collection to see what’s available, order fabric samples to try in your own space, or book a free virtual appointment and we’ll help you get your measurements, fabric and lining right before you order.
