Friday, August 7, 2009

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.

46 comments:

Simply Me... said...

wow you have a great talent! me and blinds don't get along hee hee. Thanks so much for your visit and for grabbing my button! Have a great week-end :)

Lanny...

Decor To Adore said...

You clever girl! I may have to use this one!

Darlene said...

Oh girlfriend.....you have all of a sudden become the decorating DIVA of the blogs!!!!! Look at you!!! I LOVE those roman shades...they turned out great!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Michelle said...

Thanks so much for sharing this! It comes at such perfect timing...I need to put new window treatments in each of our daughter's bedrooms and hate the plastic blind look! Gonna definitely try these!

Have a wonderful weekend!
~Michelle :)

Kim @ Twice Remembered said...

How stunning! Oh my - that is just so brilliant. I've seen this on another blog somewhere but I don't why- I just feel like I can't do this. However, you make it look so easy! I'm going to have to give myself a kick in the seat and give it a go.

Your fabric combination is just lovely - so pretty and cheerful! Great job!

Kammy said...

Super Terrific ! I am nervous I would cut the wrong cords - you did great ! Saved alot of money too !
Kammy

Anonymous said...

What a great idea and it turned out fantastic.

Shanty 2 Chic said...

Wow... what a smart idea... I can't believe how much time this method will save. Way to go...they look BEAUTIFUL!! Thanks for sharing!!

pk @ room remix said...

That is SUCH a clever idea! Would have never occured to me. You did a great job on the transformation too!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

That is amazing - I'll have to try one of the extras we have - all the windows are the same size in our house so it will fit anywhere. I have hated mini blinds from the second that I had ever seen them - this is such a grand idea - thank you so much for sharing. Now what color should I do them?

Pam @ This Humble House said...

Thanks for the tip! How clever! I like your fabric choices, too!

Sue said...

I saw this once before, an old post of yours, perhaps? anyway, I lost the post somehow.... thanks so much for showing this! I am definitly trying this re-do!!
:-) Sue

Jenny said...

brilliant!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I am for sure using this!

Signing Out said...

How clever! I have made several Roman shades in my day and have never seen one made this way! Fantastic!

Jane

Maya said...

Very very clever!

Michelle said...

WOW...such a clever idea and it looks great too! Love your choice of fabric.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Great idea, and looks great. You did good.
Glenda

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

This is brilliant...absolutely brilliant! Thansk for sharing the how-to w/ us!

Unknown said...

Those are fierce! What a GREAT idea -- I would have never thought of that! I love recycling -- it's my favorite decorating resource.

StylishHeather said...

That's awesome! Even with my horrible, horrible craft skills I could probably do that - can't wait to try it!

K Lynne Designs said...

What an AWESOME makeover! I just love this idea and I may have to try it for myself!! The fabrics look beautiful together too :)

Thank you for your comment over at my blog, I really appreciate it! :)

Cass @ That Old House said...

This is amazing, and absolutely brilliant. I have some of those wretched vinyl mini blinds... I would LOVE to turn them into Roman shades. Fantastic... thanks!
Cass

Southern Fried Gal said...

Aren't you so clever? Very impressive! And I love your door makeover, too! You have a really cool door...lots of character!

★Carol★ said...

I'm definitely one of those that were too intimidated to try making Roman shades, but now I'm going to look for plastic mini blinds at the garage sales! Yours turned out fantastic! I love the look of the floral pattern with the plaid. Stunning!

One Shabby Old House said...

What a great idea. I have blinds for the shabby old house that I need but hate the look in the bedroom. I am going to remember this idea.
Thanks for sharing.
Stop by
Hugs
Becky

Reid said...

If you like low key, you'd LOVE Edisto. It's much like Hilton Head but probably even more laid back. I think I posted about it the other day. Edisto has one grocery store (Piggly Wiggly) and a few restuarants. We loved it and will be going back every summer from here on.
What state do you live in?

Amy {The Red Chair Blog} said...

Your Roman shades turned out great! Thanks for sharing this tutorial!

~Country Lady~ said...

What a clever idea! I love it. You are one talented gal. I'll be visiting again.

Shauna said...

That is the coolest idea. It turned out great.

LADY JANE said...

OMG...I love it...now YOU have added ANOTHER project to my list...totally awesome project...thank yo for sharing the how to...

jeanne said...

OMG, I love this project. Sadly all of my mini blinds bit the trash dust. Who knew??? Good job and it looks so pretty. I love the two patterns together.

Hugs...Jeanne

Anonymous said...

Oh my word!!!! You crafty lil thing you! I will try this soon!

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

Thank you, what a wonderful tutorial. I am using this one for sure! and adding you to my blog list!

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

What a great project and clever way to repurpose those old blinds! Kudos to you!

~Amanda

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

I love this project! Great job!

gail@myrepurposedlife said...

Great tutorial!
Your new roman shade looks great!
Love it!

Candy said...

Well how clever is that! I may have to try it myself. Thanks for the step-by-step. Just what I need ;-)

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

That is just fabulous, I would love to try this and the fabric you used is just so me! Cindy

susan said...

I just found the DIY day! My newlywed daughter is furnishing the former bachelor pad on a budget and I am going to bookmark this--I don't have a crafty bone in my body so it's a gamble! :)Thanks for the instructions!

sherri said...

I think this is ULTRA clever! I have these blinds all over my house, and wish I could replace them all...but this is a great idea! I hope I can do it as well as you!!!

Heidi of Operation Organization said...

well done! ;)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Brilliant! That looks so pretty. laurie

Kristi said...

that is amazing! i have been looking for something to do in my boys room...i think i just found it! great job!

~justsimplysouthern.blogspot.com

Cheryl @ a pretty cool life. said...

Looks great! I did the same project...but your buffalo check fabric is much prettier!

Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs said...

This is SO awesome!! Thanks for the tutorial!

Its So Very Cheri said...

I hope you will come over and post this on my Knock off Knock Out party on Monday. Great job.

Cheri