I have made roman shades using instructions from books but, IMHO, the zen of Roman shade making instructions are at Terrell Designs. I printed them out and followed them pretty closely -- the result was the most professional looking shades I had ever made. The online store at Terrell has all the hard to find goodies you will need. I don't like using a cleat so was happy to find the hardware as well as the particular velcro she recommends. Also I used the plastic rods instead of dowels (found them at a local drapery making shop) and really like them too. NAYY of course!

Check these out, made by Pauline...........I love this tutorial. True, they have a ruffle at the bottom, but you can make them without it.

Also, if you click on cliffjoann's thread addressed to Chelone, you might be able to get her help with the very lovely romans she made for her home!

Here is a link that might be useful: Pauline's Roman Shades

I did it the same way patti bee did, following the Terrell Designs instructions and using her hardware.

It isn't difficult, but there are lots of opportunities to mess up if you aren't careful.

Mine came out pretty well, but not quite professional looking. My fabric was a little too soft and stretchy for this application.

I made roman shades. The shade itself is the easy part. I sewed each ring on individually because I did not want any seams in the front of the shade. The rings were the time consuming part. I bought wooden dowels from HD and used eyelets for the drawing up and down mechanics and cleats. You can get HD or Lowes to cut the the dowels or mounting block to size.
Now that I have seen the Terrell Designs site, I like her hardware and will try it next time.

No-green, you want to decide how to mount it before embarking on this project because it will determine the size, amount of fabric, etc.

I think the Terrell site is great. I read a lot of useful info and got ideas (in particular, one of her customer's pics), when I was considering Romans.

Because I was considering a large, flat Roman, I looked into hardware. Rollease has some great systems.

I also used the instructions from Terrell designs when I made my top down/bottom up roman shades. Her instructions are excellent, and I also ordered the supplies from her.

These aren't quite roman shades but look very easy -- from one of my favorite craft blogs:

http://twostraightlines.typepad.com/two_straight_lines/2006/10/tutorial_simple.html

terriks, your romans look wonderful.

joann

Terriks, those shades are great.

Wow, terriks, those are some Roman shades! Great job.

Thanks for all of your help. I briefly looked at the Terrell site and will need to study that.
I didn't find the Joann-Chelone post, but do think I have enough to work with.
Mqmoi, I will need to find out how and if I can mount these in my current windows. I think so.
I think I am going to start by attempting one for the "pathetic bathroom" I have been working on. It is coming together. If anyone remembers, I posted a few weeks ago about the ugly green tile I had to work with. Since then we have put in a new floor, countertop and painted. Yesterday, I returned the towels I had bought (prior to painting - stupid move) and bought some rust and salmon colors - opposite the color wheel of the green. I think Patricia had suggested that for paint. But I painted a creamy white and it looks greatand am using her suggestion for the towels.
I also bought a rug in rusts and salmons and greens with a botanical print. I wasn't too crazy about the rug, but thought I would carry it out with the WT and today trekked off in the blinding cold here looking for fabric. I found a stripe that has the exact color of green of the tiles, the exact color of the walls and the exact color of the towels. I couldn't believe my good fortune! So now the botanical rug will go back for probably a solid color and I am thinking a roman shade would be great (Les had that idea for me a few weeks ago).
I hate seeing bare windows, but that's the way it will be for a while, maybe a long while. I think I should do the side panels in the bedroom first, then the bathroom shade as it is the smallest window, then the bedroom shades.
Terriks, those are fabulous shades, absolutely fabulous! What an inspiration you are!
Red, I didn't find the Joann-Chelone post you were referring to - and the site you referenced was only pictures unless I missed something.
Thanks again ---
PS --- DH came in and said "Now you are putting the towels in baskets? Pretty soon you are just going to kick me out of my bathroom as you won't want anything touched!" We are both pretty impressed with what we have accomplished in the last few weeks.

Thanks for your question, no-green! I appreciate all the helpful responses since I hope to tackle that project myself one of these days. Good luck with yours and please show us the results.

Redbazel--loved the link you provided! I need visual step by step help to grasp this and that link was super.

Sujafr, the links are great. The Terrell site is awesome, as well as the hardware. I did not realize that romans could be made with the same kind of pulley system that blinds are. I had only seen the ones where they pull up and then the cord wraps around a cleat. That is why I was hesitant for the bedroom having to fiddle with that every morning. Now I have a solution.
In the bathroom, however, the shade may never move as we don't need the privacy, so I may make it stationary, or with the cleat and will probably use the rings on the mount board versus the pulley.
So, all in all, there are many ways to make these. The Terrell site is definitely the best for the professional, use-every-day shades. I am not sure I liked how she velcroed the shade to the front of the board, as I think it might look better if the top was tucked underneath. I won't have a valence covering.
The one thing it would be nice to have to make these is a huge cutting table. I was watching Shari Hiller this morning -- and it is "sew simple" with that huge table. They don't look that difficult to do. I think the planning of the spacing of the pleats and the measuring is most critical. I am sure the first one is the most difficult! I am excited!!