How to Make A Roman Shade from Mini Blind

**Edited to add: Join the party at A Soft Place to Land DIY Day, A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words 2nd Time Around, Southern Hospitality's Today's Thrifty Treasures , Twice Remembered's Make Your Monday , and Between Naps on the Porch's Metamorphosis Monday***

Are you like me and love the look of roman shades but are too intimidated to attempt making them? When I found this project on Little Green Notebook I knew it would be my salvation to the despised decorating peril of plastic mini blinds.

Mini blinds sacrificed for the greater decorating good instead of evil?

YES!

Supplies needed for this makeover:

• plastic mini blinds
• tape measure
• fabric glue
• scissors
• fabric

***Edited to add ~ This was a ZERO CA$H project as I had all supplies on hand. The fabric was end of a clearance priced bolt, purchased several months ago for about $5 without a project in mind ~ just for my stash! Mini blind was older than dirt but recently destroyed by one very rambucious Indy-bug kitty. A very thrifty repurposed project ~ the best kind!***

Carefully cut off all the ladder sections of string being careful not to cut the lift cords.

Remove the plugs from the bottom, set aside, and remove all the extra slats.

As my blind was already shortened to my desired length, I just took that measurement and divided by 9 (the desired length of folds) to arrival at my optimal remaining slat number of 5.

Retie lift cords evenly, trim excess, and push back into hole.

Replace plug covers.

I'm showing this next step without fabric because it's just easier to see.

Lay your fabric face down, fold fabric over an inch or two for a nice finish across the top of your shade then place your blind face down making sure to keep fabric folded edge flush with top of blind.

Measure down 9 inches or desired fold length and place a slat, continue measuring and placing slats until you reach the bottom of the blind.

Using fabric glue attach your folded fabric edge to top of blind. Then apply glue to each slat and press to fabric to adhere.

***DO NOT glue the lift cord, stop and start your bead of glue on the slat about an inch or so from the lift cords so they can work freely. This is a vital key to success***

When you reach the bottom trim your fabric leaving enough to cover the bottom slat and wrap over slightly. Glue in place carefully avoiding the lift cords.

Trim your fabric down both sides leaving enough to fold over making a nice hemmed edge. I left about 2 or 3 inches on mine.

Make a neat fold at the top carefully leaving the sides of the blind mounting bar free of fabric because it must be able to slide back into your mounting bracket.

Glue in place.

Continue gluing side hem all the way to the bottom of the blind.

Make a nice neat fold at the bottom, repeating what you did at the top.

You can add trim to the bottom if desired.

Wait for glue to dry then hang in place!

I loved how it turned it. I'm planning to do my living room blinds as well. I think I'll do those in burlap and attempt to line them as well.