{"id":10129,"date":"2015-04-20T14:26:25","date_gmt":"2015-04-20T04:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/2015\/04\/20\/how-to-turn-old-window-blinds-roman-shades\/"},"modified":"2021-04-02T12:44:32","modified_gmt":"2021-04-02T02:44:32","slug":"how-to-turn-old-window-blinds-roman-shades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/project\/2015\/04\/20\/how-to-turn-old-window-blinds-roman-shades\/","title":{"rendered":"How to turn old window blinds into roman shades"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Roman shades are the most common window treatment today because of its minimalist design. Curtains are more for Victorian homes, and coloured plastic blinds are too 90&#8217;s! So if you have some window blinds in there, you can\u00a0give your home a more modern outfit if you want to by redesigning that old\u00a0window treatment \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5554 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/DIY-Roman-Shades-Main-Image.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t have blinds? There are plenty of ways to source old, cheap (or free)\u00a0blinds that are still in good condition or repairable. You can ask family and friends, visit local thrift shops, or search online!<\/p>\n<p>Now here&#8217;s a little note: this project is best for small windows. Using plastic blinds\u00a0for bigger windows might cause your DIY roman shades to sag or the plastic slats might not be able to carry the weight of a large fabric. If your windows are a bit\u00a0bigger or longer, you will want to look for more a more sturdy material like wooden blinds.<\/p>\n<p>Could your windows use this makeover?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Materials:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Window blinds<\/li>\n<li>Scissors<\/li>\n<li>Fabric<\/li>\n<li>Sewing Machine\/\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B001687ZDA\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"435\">Heat n&#8217; Bond\u00a0(for a no-sew project)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Fabric Glue<\/li>\n<li>Glue Gun<\/li>\n<li>Small rush (for applying glue, foam sponge or paint brush)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4798\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades00018.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" \/><\/p>\n<p>First, take note of the measurements of your window. Always add an inch to determine the length and width of your window shades. For instance, if your window is 60 inches long and 53 inches wide, your window treatment should be 61 inches long and 55 inches wide.<\/p>\n<p>Then decide how long you want the pleats to be. Six to nine inches is a nice\u00a0length for small windows. Trust your judgement! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4799\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Blind-image.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Once you have decided on the pleats, it&#8217;s now time to alter your window blinds.\u00a0Blinds have two types of strings weaved in them. The thick string pulls the blinds up and down. The other, which looks like a ladder, holds the plastic strips in place for proper spacing. Cut the ladder string, removing it entirely. Be careful not to cut the thicker string!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4805\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades00001.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now you will have to remove some of the plastic strips, depending on the length of your pleats. Say you want 6-inch pleats and your window blinds is 54 inches long, you will only need 9 strips \u2013 8 small strips and the last slat. Easy math! <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-smiley\" src=\"http:\/\/ideas2live4.com\/crafts\/wp-includes\/images\/smilies\/icon_smile.gif\" alt=\":)\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4806\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades00003.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>To remove the strips, remove the small caps which you can see at the thick slat below. Inside them are the knots of the strings that hold the strips in place. Untie them then remove the excess strips.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4807\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades00004.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Then put it back together \u2013 tie the end of the string, put it back inside the hole and replug the small caps. Make sure that the length of your window blinds extended is the right length for your window! In our example, it should still be 54 inches long.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5558\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades000051.jpg\" alt=\"Window Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"920\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now with the fabric: Measure and cut the fabric according to the dimensions of your window blinds, giving each side an extra 2-inch margin for sewing the hem. If you don\u2019t want to sew, you can use heat n\u2019 bond <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-smiley\" src=\"http:\/\/ideas2live4.com\/crafts\/wp-includes\/images\/smilies\/icon_smile.gif\" alt=\":)\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Continued&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5559\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades000061.jpg\" alt=\"Window Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"924\" \/><\/p>\n<p>After sewing, lay the fabric flat on the floor facing down.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Putting it all together:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4811\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades00007.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Attach the mechanical top onto the fabric using fabric glue. Make sure you are sticking the right side. Make sure it is centered and even as well <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-smiley\" src=\"http:\/\/ideas2live4.com\/crafts\/wp-includes\/images\/smilies\/icon_smile.gif\" alt=\":)\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4812\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades00009.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4813\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades00010.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Lightly mark your fabric with a pencil depending on the length of your pleats. Again make sure that your measurements are equal on both sides.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4814\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades00008.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Brush the rounded side of the plastic strip with fabric glue and carefully press it onto the fabric. Repeat these last two steps of measuring and gluing until you have attached all small strips.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4817\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades00011.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Let it dry overnight. Use some weight to put at the ends to make sure it is spread out.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4818\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades00012.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Finally stick the ends of the fabric to the thick slats using glue gun.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4819\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/Window-Shades00013.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Make sure not to obstruct the top mechanism where\u00a0the brackets will be attached for hanging.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5560\" src=\"http:\/\/project.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/files\/2017\/03\/DIY-Roman-Shades-Final-Image.jpg\" alt=\"DIY Roman Shades\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now you are ready to hang and test it! <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-smiley\" src=\"http:\/\/ideas2live4.com\/crafts\/wp-includes\/images\/smilies\/icon_smile.gif\" alt=\":)\" \/><\/p>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<h5>Source: <a title=\"365 Days 2 Simplicity\" href=\"http:\/\/365days2simplicity.blogspot.com\/2011\/04\/easy-no-sew-roman-shades.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"436\">365 Days 2 Simplicity<\/a><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Roman shades are the most common window treatment today because of its minimalist design. Curtains are more for Victorian homes, and coloured plastic blinds are too 90&#8217;s! So if you have some window blinds in there, you can\u00a0give your home a more modern outfit if you want to by redesigning that old\u00a0window treatment \ud83d\ude42 Don&#8217;t [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10130,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"Learn how to make your own roman shades.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sma_last_campaign_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[87],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10129","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-recycled"],"modified_by":"Freddie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10129","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10129"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10129\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10129"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10129"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10129"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}