No-Sew Roman Shade Returns
- Susan - Workroom Tech
- Jun 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 29

No-Sew Roman Shade Returns
By Susan Woodcock
Roman shade returns hide the lifting system on board mounted shades. This gives a professional finish, but those little returns take longer than you think – especially if you want them to be pattern matched! The method that I find to be easiest and fastest is a no-sew version using iron-on stiffener, lining, and loop strip from döfix No Sew, Inc.
Note: The iron-on products from döfix No Sew, Inc. require a boiler iron system or a steam generator iron like the Reliable Velocity 270ir. Products from döfix No Sew, Inc. are available to-the-trade only.
See the video how-to and written instructions are below.
No-Sew Roman Shade
The finished size of the roman shade returns are the board size (return) + 2 inches by the length from top of the board to 1/2-inch below the lift system or more. You do not want the return to interfere with the shade folds as they lift to the top. On a stationary shade, you can make the returns longer.
The returns in this how-to instruction are finished 4 ½-inches wide x 5 inches long.
The returns are attached with hook and loop tape. This allows you to remove the returns to make installation and adjusting roller spring systems easier. It also prevents the returns from getting disfigured during packaging and delivery.
Cut the board less than the finished shade to allow for the thickness of the returns.
What you will need:
Face fabric
¾-inch hook strip
Iron-on products from döfix No Sew, Inc. Stiffener #2005
Bortenfix tape 3/8” #080810
Blackout lining #045004
Loop strip ¾-inch #060202
Step-by-step:
1. Cut two pieces of stiffener the finished size. Cut away 2 inches x ¾ inches from the top corners marking one left and one right. The stiffener has fusible on one side. Be sure to cut off the corners to make a mirror image or “pair” of returns.
2. Cut two pieces of fabric the finished size plus 1½ inches wider and longer. Cut the fabric square – do not cut out corners. To pattern match, place the shade on a work stand to drape and pin fabric to match at each side, marking the finished sides with pins. For pattern matching roman shade returns, see page 6 in the written instructions (PDF download below).
3. Place the fabric pieces face down and the stiffener centered on top, fusible side down and iron/press with steam. Turn over and iron from the front.

4. Apply iron-on Bortenfix tape to the back of the fabric at the top and bottom edges. Peel away the paper backing and fold over and press to the back of the stiffener. Repeat for the sides.

Cut two pieces of iron-on blackout lining ¼-inch less than the finished width x ¾-
inch less than the finished length. Place fusible side down on the back of each return centered on the bottom and side edges and iron with steam, pressing the blackout to the backs.

6. Cut two pieces of fusible loop strip the finished size of the returns. Place face up on the back side at the top of each return and press with steam.

7. Fold each return to make a right angle where it will wrap from the sides to the front and press.

8. Cut two pieces of hook strip the finished width of the returns and staple to the ends of the board.

Attach the roman shade returns to each side. Don’t forget that you have a left and a right. The area that was cut away from the stiffener will go at the top under the shade.
The return is attached to the board with hook and loop strip. Download and print instructions here:

See printed instructions for information on how to pattern match roman shade returns.
Comments