Homemade Roman Blinds???

jeaniebeanie

Hi Guys, Just wondering if anyone made their own Roman Blinds? Just got a quote and nearly fell over. My sister is home for Easter and is handy with a sewing machine and was thinking of giving it a go? Am I super naïve? Any other novices who made them and they worked out good? Any tips?

Wyldwood

I've made lots of Roman blinds. You can buy a kit in any curtain fabric shop that includes all the components except the fabric and make it very easy. Lots of videos on youtube show how to make them.

LaChatteGitane

I've made them a few times - for small windows. That's until 2 years ago when I washed the roman blinds that we had in the sittingroom (they came with the house and they had become a bit dusty over time ) THEY SHRANK ! There was nothing for it but make new ones.
I used all the dowels, rings and pull cord from the old blinds and got meters and meters of cotton fabric (which I pre-shrank before sewing) in IKEA for 3€/meter.
It took me forever, but that's because I was properly bored with them. Six large windows. But I was pleased with the result when done and hung. And bliddy proud of myself.:D
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ufS10U1Qb4Y/TYtoKwwf_RI/AAAAAAAAAng/990D4TbVMik/s1600/IMG_3382.JPG

TOMP

How do you make a Roman Blind?

Stick a needle in his eye!

Boom boom

jeaniebeanie

That’s great, I’ll get the kit – hopefully Hickeys will have it. LaChatteGitane your blinds look great – I’d be proud of them too if I made them – Kudos to you.

gjc

I did a course on roman blind making best course I ever done you will save yourself a fortune you tube is great for the tutorials also one woman on the course made a fab blind but have to say her material was amazing make sure and put up a pic if you do it. One word of advice is start with a small blind

Pinky123

I picked up cord lock kits on ebay, there were cheaper than the cassette ones (about €20 a kit including postage) If the blind is not going to be closed and opened every day they are great. I used them for my kitchen window blinds as they are always left open and the cassette ones for sitting room and bedrooms.
HTH

Pinky123

If you are making up your own blinds I find a large T square invaluable for getting my cutting and sewing lines straight especially if you are using a striped fabric or if you want a specific design of the fabric in the centre of blind.

guideanna

sorry for butting in on this thread but i am also looking to make my first roman blind.
The kits in Homefocus start at €45 for the 90cm ones so i'm thinking of going online to the likes of ebay etc to see if i can get one cheaper as my window is almost 2m wide.

Does anyone know anywhere online they could recommend to me or what brands of kits they have used that they are happy with? Not sure if we're allowed say on the thread so maybe pm me if were not?

Pinky123

For a window that size I would defo go with the cassette style kit, it will give you a better fold on the fabric when it's pulled up and a smoother action. I have bought a couple of different types on ebay and the main thing to watch out for is the shipping costs. It generally worked out cheaper for me as I was ordering a couple of kits but if you only need one it might be the same price as getting it in Home Focus

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Speedy-Cassette-Aluminium-Roman-Blind-Kit-White-/290903489292?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Curtains_Blinds_Curtains_EH&var=&hash=item43bb32fb0c#ht_1777wt_1199

That one is working out at €75.69 approx incl delivery

guideanna

Thanks for that Pinky. Yep think i'lll try homefocus first if i can do 1 i will defo look into doing more (i love roman blinds) but as you say the shipping is a killer!

Can i also ask what did you do in the case where the kit size didn't exactly fit the window.....do you buy the bigger size and cut to size, and if so, is this easy to do?

Pinky123

Hiya

Generally you go with the kit that is wider then you need.

There are two options on the size
1. If there is enough in the width of the kit you could install it outside the recess and just make the blind to the size of the kit

2. If you are fitting it into the window recess then the kits are very easy to cut down to size, use a small hacksaw or something similar. Be very careful when you are cutting the rods as usually they are made of fiberglass and can really cut you. Once you have them cut wrap the ends in sellotape (easier to feed them into the blind tape)

HTH

gg2608

You don't have to use a kit. I make Roman Blinds all the time, while I do recommend the kits I also make them with a wooden baton (2"x1") . Its a far less expensive way to make the roman blinds. But please bear in mind new regulations on cord safety ... especially if there are children about.

LaChatteGitane

gg2608 wrote: »

You don't have to use a kit. I make Roman Blinds all the time, while I do recommend the kits I also make them with a wooden baton (2"x1") . Its a far less expensive way to make the roman blinds. But please bear in mind new regulations on cord safety ... especially if there are children about.

I've never used a kit. Our old blinds where with batons, eyelet screws and sewn on rings to lead the cord. I reused them all. And it works a treat.
For tidying the cord I have cleat hooks.

hatetherain!

gjc wrote: »

I did a course on roman blind making best course I ever done you will save yourself a fortune you tube is great for the tutorials also one woman on the course made a fab blind but have to say her material was amazing make sure and put up a pic if you do it. One word of advice is start with a small blind

Hi gjc .... do you mind me asking you where you did you rcourse? I'm interested in doing one myself! Thank You