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Short answer
Roman blinds are made from curtain fabric that folds up in neat horizontal pleats. Medium-weight, stable fabrics work best: dimouts, linen-looks, jacquards and many blackouts. Very stiff or very heavy fabrics make bulky folds, and very light sheers need care to fold neatly. Line Roman blinds, with a blackout lining for bedrooms, centre any pattern, and fit cord safety devices in homes with young children.
How a Roman blind works
Rods or battens are sewn across the back of the blind at even intervals, and cords run through rings up the back to a headrail. Pulling the cord, or a chain or motor, lifts the blind into stacked horizontal folds. Because the fabric is seen flat when the blind is down, the fabric's pattern and texture show fully, unlike a gathered curtain.
Roman blinds are made by curtain and blind makers from curtain fabric. For roller and other blinds that use purpose-made blind fabrics, see JOTEX Sunshades.
Fabrics that work
| Fabric | Roman blind | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dimout | Excellent | Medium weight; neat, crisp folds |
| Linen-look and linen blends | Excellent | Natural texture shows well flat; see Linen-Look Curtains |
| Jacquard | Very good | The pattern shows fully; centre the motif |
| Blackout | Good | Choose a supple one; very stiff coatings fold bulkily |
| Velvet | Possible | Rich but bulky when folded; suits small windows |
| Sheer | Possible | Light and soft; folds less crisply and rods show through |
Lining
- Standard lining gives body, crisp folds and protects the fabric from sun.
- Blackout lining makes a bedroom dark; the POSH Creation LINER is a 100 gsm blackout lining, 280 cm wide.
- Light gaps: a Roman blind fitted inside the window recess leaves thin gaps at the sides; fitted outside the recess, overlapping the frame, it is darker.
See Curtain Lining.
Pattern and width
- Centre the pattern on the blind, and plan where motifs fall on the folds.
- Stripes: vertical stripes look neat; horizontal stripes should line up with the folds. See Check, Stripe and Plaid Curtains.
- Wide windows: seams show on a flat blind. Use a wide fabric railroaded, or split a very wide window into two or three blinds. See Railroaded Fabric Explained.
Safety
Loose cords and chains on blinds can be a strangulation risk for young children. Choose cordless or motorised Roman blinds, or fit cord tensioners and cleats high and out of reach. See Curtains for Children's Rooms.
Watch out
Never place a cot, bed or climbable furniture near a blind cord or chain.
Care
Roman blinds have rods and cords sewn in, so they cannot simply be machine-washed. Vacuum them regularly with a soft brush, spot-clean marks, and have them professionally cleaned when needed. Some are made with removable covers.
Dimouts for Roman blinds
Medium-weight dimouts that fold crisply, updated from the catalogue. See the dimout fabric page.
ALASKA
ARMANI
COMO
CORA
DANI
GLAVIN
INDIGO
KAYLA
KENDLE
LEXI
LIBERTY
LYNN
MELA
MISIA
OREGON
PEMA
RANEY
REGENT
ROME
SANARA
ULTRA
Frequently asked questions
What fabric is best for Roman blinds?
A medium-weight, stable fabric such as a dimout, linen-look or jacquard, with a lining. Very stiff or very heavy fabrics fold bulkily.
Can curtain fabric be used for Roman blinds?
Yes. Roman blinds are made from curtain fabric, so they can match curtains or cushions in the room.
Can Roman blinds be blackout?
Yes, with a blackout lining. Fitting the blind outside the window recess, overlapping the frame, reduces light at the sides.
Are Roman blinds safe for children?
Choose cordless or motorised Roman blinds, or fit cord tensioners and keep cords and chains well out of reach.
Can Roman blinds be washed?
Usually not in a machine, because rods and cords are sewn in. Vacuum, spot-clean and use professional cleaning, unless the blind has a removable cover.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.