Merchant & Mills has developed one of the most beautifully simple DIY Roman shade patterns we’ve found. And when you make it in sailcloth, it has just the right amount of structure and drape to make a really beautiful window treatment.

We especially love using our bigger, bolder prints for this project. With surprisingly little fabric, you can make a Roman shade that becomes a real statement—especially in a kid’s room, where a great print can completely transform a space without overwhelming it.

It can take a little work to gather all of the materials you’ll need, and this is definitely a project for someone with a bit of a DIY heart and mind. But that’s also what makes it so satisfying. There’s something incredibly rewarding about watching a pile of fabric, hardware, and supplies turn into a beautiful, fully functioning Roman shade that you made yourself.

This pattern is part of the Merchant & Mills Grove PDF, which includes several other patterns we love and use regularly. It’s also featured in their beautiful book, House, which we carry in our shop and cannot recommend highly enough.

If you’re looking for a project that feels both practical and special, this one is absolutely worth the effort.

I’d make the safety note very clear but keep the overall tone playful—the appeal of this hack is how surprisingly easy and inexpensive it is.