3.04.2011

The Blinds Are Finished!



If you've been reading for a while, 
you know that I've been working on my home office/craft room.






After organizing the craft supplies a while back, it was on to the next project.




          




This room faces west, and although it's partially shaded by the roof of our front porch,
the afternoon sun can be overwhelming some days.
It needs a window treatment.
The fabric I planned to use was the end of a roll -
three precious metres!





I searched for a way to make it work back in this post
and you all encouraged me to make roman blinds,
thank you!




I looked into Martha's instructions for sewing Roman Blinds,
and although they would have been perfect, 
it began to seem a bit daunting 
(her projects are always done properly and always have a million steps, don't they?)
I admit it, I was looking for they easy way out!

Jennifer from Rambling Renovators had suggested roller blinds..hmmm..
using roller blinds and laminating my fabric on top,
a la Design Sponge, seemed simple enough and I liked the clean look.







A little research, however, revealed that the narrow width of the windows
would have required custom roller blinds to the tune of $60 each.
Onward.

Amanda of {Re}Cycled Cosign and Design had mentioned mini-blinds diys,
so the googling began.
Found the Little Green Notebook tutorial, which seemed to be the original,
and has spawned heaps of copycats.
That must mean it works, right?







Off to the store to buy mini blinds for $1.80 each (how do they manufacture them for this price?)
and fabric glue, which I have never used before, being a sewer.

All set to begin cutting, I realized each blind needed to be 21" wide,
and my pattern repeat was only 17", and the print would not be centred.
So what, you say?
This is the window that I look at every day as I work at my desk,
and I knew that would drive me bananas... 
(trying to overcome mytype-a tendencies!)





so off to the fabric store to buy navy linen,
which was going to serve as a liner and border,
which, as a bonus, also meant these would hold up to the sun a bit longer.
Now, the original tutorial is super-easy -
but of course I made it more complicated with this lining/border business..

I measured the window, adding 8" to the width
(3" for each border, 2" for seam allowance)
and 5" to the length
(3" for the bottom border, 2" for seam allowance).

Cut the navy linen fabric, 
using a framing square and chalk to make sure everything was cut straight
(there's that type-a again :)
Then cut the suzani fabric,
17" wide (pattern repeat) and the length of the window.






Ironed all the seams into place, 
using a guide cut to the border width,
and mitring the corners.
This took the longest of any step, but DON'T skip ironing,
this is how you get that crisp finish that makes your finished product looks professionally made.







Placed the patterned fabric inside and sewed them up.






The Little Green Notebook tutorial has all the additional steps,
which involve removing the majority of the slats from a set of miniblinds,
and literally gluing the remaining few to the back of the fabric.
Because I used two layers of fabric, there was A LOT of glue used, 
so that it not only adhered the mini blind slats to the fabric but also to each other,
ensuring they would hang properly.

They dried for a day and, voila - 





Perfect little spot for sewing now, isn't it?
This is a great method to create some more attractive window treatments
 if you already have those dreaded miniblinds in place.

I know that the sun will take it's toll on these and I will be replacing them every few years, 
so I didn't mind doing it the easy way -
 but if you are making roman blinds to last a long time,
 I would say bite the bullet and use Martha's method.






1 project down, 3789 more to go :)
next I'll be tackling a desk update, and a really cool wall display...


Hope you all have a wonderful weekend,
and please pop over to Project Gadabout for my
Glamorous Gadabouts bits.







I can never get over how gorgeous Poppy's blog is!
Yesterday she created a fantastic post with my
Secret Cheese Fondue recipe
(D. and I are fondue junkies! Even the kids get into it now, lol)
So many people have tried to get that recipe from me over the years,
and it's yours for the taking!

Pin It Now!

28 comments:

Kerry said...

Anne-Marie! They look FANTASTIC! :) And even if you have to replace them every few years... it's means another chance to redecorate, right!? :)

Have a great weekend! xx

Mel said...

They turned out beautifully! The fabric is stunning.

Unknown said...

I could NEVER do this- your blinds look AMAZING!!!! Seriously Anne-Marie- so so good. I'm like really proud of you for doing this yourself- brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Those look amazing!!!! LOVE it!

Sarah said...

I can't believe you made these yourself! Thanks for including all the steps, maybe I will attempt something like this for all my bare windows!

The enchanted home said...

Are you available for hire? Wow great looking! I can't believe you did that on your own...YOU ARE GOOD! I love the fabric and colors..fabulous...must make it feel like a brand new space. So much fun doing something like that isn't it!
Stop by..have the perfect lamps for you! Doing a giveaway, a great one at that..a pair of Murano handblown glass lamps from Swank lighting!
www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

They look amazing!! The border turned out fantastic!

Cynthia Fox-Giddens said...

The blinds are beautiful and your blog post was a wonderful journey to the finished. The green color and pattern is very nice.

Edwina@FASHION+ART said...

These are so cool, Anne-Marie. You deserve something pretty to look at every day. Enjoy— and thanks for taking us along for the ride.

Abby M. Interiors said...

Anne-Marie-
This is SPECTACULAR! Really, you are so inspiring and I'm proud to call you friend! {who am i kidding, i'd still be proud if you never sewed blinds} The suzani print is the perfect scale for each window. I love it!!!
abby

Jen @ RamblingRenovators said...

Those look fantastic Anne-Marie! You positioned the patterns perfectly; they look so polished and professional. Great job!!

Unknown said...

I don't want to repeat everything that's been said, but the blinds are really amazing. Your drive to have the pattern repeat properly for each window really payed off. It looks so amazing. The fabric is great, but you really made it shine with the navy linen. Can't wait to see more projects.

InteriorGroupie said...

wow - those look absolutely incredible! You did a wonderful job. the border worked out perfectly. Definitely saving this to my DIY folder

Mona Thompson said...

They are great and you are amazing. I'm sorry I haven't been here in a while. Life??!! Your new look is wonderful too. Have a good weekend. MOna

Elle Uy said...

Wow so much drama! and I love all your tutorial links. I'm sure they'll come handy in the future.

Carissa @ the Fabulous Design File said...

Holy coconuts! Those turned out amazing! I've been dying to try making some roman shades and was going back and forth between the martha one that you mentioned and the LGN ones. Fabulous project.

jules @ The Diversion Project said...

wow these are sensational darl, what a clever thing you are! can some of your talent rub off on me pelase??!!! even just a smidge! xx

shannon said...

Just discovered your blog and i am in love!! These shades are beautiful. Great job! I love your style and i am your newest follower!!

roller blinds said...

These blinds are very stylish I wish after fitting this kind of blinds in my house then my home is also look like yours home. Please tell me from where you can buy these roller blinds.

Faux Wood Blinds said...

Fantastic! I've been wanting to make these types of blinds as well! Thanks for the info!

rachel said...

I love your take on the LGN blinds-to-shades tutorial! They look really great. I am about to embark on the same project, but I'm running into some trouble and maybe you can give me some advice, since you seem to be one of the only other people I can find who made these shades with a large scale repetitive pattern.... How did you decide where to place your slats? My fabric has a large square shaped design that repeats four times down the length of the shade. I want to showcase the motif at the top like you did, but I want to make sure I place the slats so that it looks professional when folded. Thanks for your thoughts!

Anne-Marie @ 10 Rooms said...

@ Rachel -
you didn't leave an email, so hopefully you come back to read the comments!! Once I sewed up the panels, i dry-fitted the slat on the front and experimented. I divided the panel into five sections, attached the top piece right at the top, then three slats, then the bottom bar (leaving the end section to hang freely). Just be sure to use a lightweight fabric, a double layer of this linen blend is pushing it a little, and be generous with the fabric glue, and you will be fine :)

Blinds said...

The blinds shown here are wonderful. They have been made expertly

Saaria Projection Screen said...

the blinds shown here are really very beautiful. all the work is worth appreciating but i liked the window curtain the most.. i have some suggestions for making your place beautiful..

Home theatre accessories

curtain tracks

Designed for Velux ® roof windows said...

I love the roman shades and have been wanting to try my hand at making them. I have no source for you but want to say that I feel your pain with window treatment challenges. I feel so much pressure to make the right choice! Good luck to you.

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Unknown said...

That’s fantastic! All the time you were perched on your sewing spot has paid off. Oh well, I expected nothing less, given that your creations never ceased to amaze me. Cheers!

Steve Walton @ Blinds Shop Online

Cordless Faux Wood Blind said...

What a gorgeous blog you have . The clearness in your post is simply excellent . Everything is very open with a very clear description of the issues. I can assume you
are an expert on this subject. Your site is extremely helpful. Really looking forward to read more about blinds. Thanks for sharing .

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