I have long admired beautiful fabric roman shades (like this one, by designer Ashley Whittaker), but thought they were out of the reaches of my budget. Until my friend Jenny (of the blog Little Green Notebook) came up with a way to make them out of mini blinds. Yes, the gosh-awful metal mini blinds that I have on every window in my little ranch house. I found some fabric I loved, and set about to create some for my bedroom. The first time around didn't go so well, but I've got it down to a science now.
You will need:
Mini blinds
Fabric
Scissors
Fabric glue (such as Fabritac)
Optional: Black-out liner (recommended for printed fabric especially)
Step 1: Let blinds out all the way, and take down from window. Measure the window -- this will be the size of your shade. Optional step: Cut a piece of black-out liner in the exact size of the window. This is essential if you wish to line your shade.
Step 2: Cut your fabric about an inch and a half larger on all sides than the size of your shade. Lay fabric on work surface face down. Optional step: Lay black-out liner on top of fabric and fold edges of fabric over liner and glue with fabric glue.
Step 3: (If you have not already done so with the black-out liner) Fold edges of fabric over and secure with fabric glue, taking care to create a straight edge and maintain the desired size of your shade.
Step 4: Lay your blinds down face-up (you might have to do this step on the floor, as they should be let out all the way at this point). Working from the top down, cut each of the small strings that go between the slats to remove the outside strings on both sides (and possibly in the middle) taking great caution to NOT cut the lift strings. The lift strings are the more sturdy strings that are in the middle of the slats.
Step 5: Decide how many slats (folds) you want to keep by dividing the length of your blinds by 9 or 10 inches. Remember that the top and bottom will count as a fold. So if you need 9 folds, you will keep 7 slats. Remove (but hang on to) the plugs at the bottom of your blind, and slide the bottom and all but the slats you need off the lift strings. Discard the rest of the slats, but keep the bottom piece.
Step 6: Lay your blinds face down on the back of your fabric, and glue the top of the blinds to the fabric. Take care not to glue on or near the lift strings, and leave room at each end to reattach to your window.
Step 7:Measure out and place each of your slats, then begin gluing each of them to your fabric, taking care not to glue the lift string. Then, reattach the bottom by tying new knots in the bottom of the lift string and replacing the plastic plugs.
Reinstall your blinds -- now roman shades! -- and admire your handiwork!
As long as the black-out liner -- or whatever liner you choose -- is on the inside of the lift strings and the slats, your blinds should raise and lower with no problem. I would recommend raising them and making sure the liner folds with the fabric a few times to "train" it to fold properly. Overall, it was a fun project and a great way to get a designer look at a fraction of the price.
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