| Archive for The Potting Shed A forum to discuss Crafts, Cooking, Gardening, Countryside, Livestock and Pets |
| Aqui |
roman blindsSo, it's been a while since i did any sewing and the last thing i made was a pencil case at school!But do you think i could make a roman blind if i got a kit? i want blinds for the kitchen as it faces west and when i'm cooking in the summer i have to hide down one end or i get scorched! i'd like blinds like plain net curtains - to let light through, but reduce the glare and heat. it's quite a big window - probably 4ft high by 5/6ft wide. |
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| Aqui |
and can you suggest a suitable fabric? (I'm thinking something neutral coloured, lightweight, but strong and preferably a natural fabric.) | ||
| Kathy |
I found this link that might be useful. http://www.aolshowme.co.uk/show-m...lip/7145/view/making-roman-blinds
Would muslin work do you think or perhaps a very lightweight cotton? My sister says these are dead simple to make, I've never tried it so can't offer any practical advice. |
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| Lizzie |
I've made lots of Roman blinds - I like them a lot!
I think muslin would be too light - you need something heavy enough to hold a crease. I've made them with poly-cotton bed sheets before and that's about as light as I think I'd try. They're really easy but you do need to be absolutely accurate when spacing the rings on the back or they don't pull up straight. I've got some fab instructions in a book - just let me know if you'd like me to copy them out for you. |
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| Aqui |
gulp! i'll watch Kathy's link first and see if I can follow that! good idea about bedsheets - i'll have a look in the charity shops tomorrow. |
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| Leonie2 |
starching bedsheets might make them stiffer and therefore easier to hold the crease. our conservatory blinds are roman blinds and they're made from a calico which is like a light denim weight fabric. | ||
| Lizzie |
It's not hard Aqui - just picky.
They have a front and a back which are two separate pieces of material - in the past, I've used a check fabric for the back, which makes it a whole lot easier to space things properly! |
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| Becki |
OH made some for the bathroom once. I was very impressed 
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| Leonie2 |
Our roman blinds aren't a double layer of fabric, they look like they're made in a very similar way to the link Kathy posted.
btw Kathy, that's a great site 
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| Kathy |
I bought mine at Ikea 
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| Lizzie |
Kathy!
The instructions I have are for double-sided blinds, rather than a single piece of materials with a smaller casing for the baton - I guess there are different ways of doing it! Either way, they're easy!! |
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| Aqui |
So i searched the charity shops for white of cream cotton sheets and bought a picnic blanket instead! got home and reealised we have a cream vallance sheet - our bed base is wooden, so never use them. it's been moved from my charity shop bag into the might make something with bag. might try to enlist mil's help too - sge's handy with a sewing machine. | ||
| Flowerlady |
Aqui they are a doddle!! Used to make them a lot for other folk without a machine!!
If you want to line them etc I have some distructions I can let you have 
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