Inexpensive Roman Shades & A Story

Today is all about inexpensive custom made Roman Shades.

When I revealed my custom made Roman shades

in our kitchen I told you that I would let you in

on my little secret as to where I got them made.

If you have ever gotten a price to have custom made

Roman shades with a design you already know how EXPENSIVE they are!

 

So I did a LOT of shopping around,

and I found this really inexpensive place to get custom

made Roman shades that look beautiful and high end!

 

My secret place where I found inexpensive custom
made Roman shades is.......

My Own Home!

 Yep.

They were made right in my house by little ol' me!

I really wanted stylish custom made Roman shades until I found out the price!

Let's just say that I was NOT going to fork over that kind of money!

Ummmm, no, NOT HAPPENING!
Not now, not EVER!

 

Believe it or not,

I made these out of our cheap, boring mini blinds!

 

These are super easy to make because there is NO SEWING REQUIRED!

 

The first one I made took me about 1 1/2 hours from start to finish,

after that I had it down to 3/4 - l hour.

 

Here is my step-by-step tutorial so that you can make

these inexpensive Roman shades also.
Don't be intimidated by all of the steps,
they really are easy to make.
 

 

A few supplies that you will need:

Mini Blind that fits your window (recycle one, or buy a cheap one from Walmart)

Tape Measure

Liquid Stitch Fabric Glue

Heat-n-Bond Hem (use 1/2 inch size)

Scissors

Iron and Ironing Board

Material

(I used Home Décor fabric that I purchased for 50% off)

 

LET'S GET STARTED!
 

 I recommend reading all the steps before proceeding.
 

Iron your material to remove any wrinkles or creases and set aside for later use.

 

Lay out your mini blind and extend it to its full length.

Measure the length and width of the mini blind

and write it down for later use.

 

Measure your fabric 1 inch wider and 2 inches longer than your window opening.

Mark and cut your fabric.

Fold in each side 1/2 inch and press.

Lay your hem tape inside the fold and press in place.

 

A perfect No Sew Hem!

Lay your fabric face down on a flat surface.

I didn't hem my top and bottom.

I just made sure I had a straight edge after hemming the sides.

Grab your mini blind and wipe any dust or grease from

your top bar and dry.  Apply a generous amount of fabric glue

to the front top bar of the mini blind.

Spread the glue across the bar.  I used my finger.

Grab the top of your fabric and secure to the top glued section of the mini blind.

I smoothed out the fabric using my hand and then secured it with clothes pins.

Let dry for 30 minutes.

While you are waiting for the glue to dry, extend the mini blind

and locate the two types of cords that run through the blinds.

There should be a thicker cord that runs through the blinds,

and a ladder-looking cord that supports each blind.

Grab the ladder-looking cord and cut each ladder cord and remove.

*DO NOT CUT THE THICKER CORD*

 

 

Locate the plugs on the bottom bar and remove.

Untie the cord and remove the bottom bar from the mini blind.

*DO NOT CUT THE CORD*

Remove the slats.  Don't throw them away!

Using your tape measure, determine how far apart you want your slats

for your Roman shade to be spaced. I spaced mine every 6 inches.

I used a total of 5 slats.

Using a pencil place a mark on each side of the fabric. Slide the number

of slats back onto the pull cord with the rounded side face down and

line them up with your pencil marks.

Starting at the top slat, turn the slat over and run a line of glue

across the rounded side, being careful not to glue the pull cords.

Turn the slat over and press onto the fabric at the marked lines.

Continue with the rest of the slats in the same manner.

Feed the bottom bar back onto the pull cord.

Tie the knot in the cord and replace the plugs.

Fold the bottom fabric up and glue to the bottom side of the bar.

Secure in place.  Let dry for 30 minutes.

Now, go hang that beautiful Custom Made Roman Shade!

No one will be able to tell that these are made out of cheap mini blinds!

These Roman shades will raise and lower just like your mini blinds.

Because I had everything except the material to make these

Roman shades I spent around $15.00 per shade.

What an easy and inexpensive way to update your mini blinds,

plus you get the added bonus of having a custom designed look for less!

That sounds like a win, win to me!

I'll take custom designed look for LE$$ any day!

How about you?

 

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you the story about my Roman shade.

When I went to the fabric store to pick out the fabric for my

Roman shade for our master bath, I took along a paint swatch,

our new shower curtain, and one of the bird prints with me.

I don't like to make extra trips because something doesn't

coordinate so I try to take things with me and coordinate

them in the store.  As I was walking around the store

trying to coordinate my things with the fabric, I noticed

a woman who was always behind me wherever I went.

I finally decided on which fabric I wanted and headed to

the cutting counter.  I laid my stuff on the cutting table

along with my fabric.  The women at the cutting counter

always ask what your doing with the fabric.  I mentioned that I

was in the process of redesigning our master bath and

I was going to make a Roman shade from a mini blind

using the fabric.  As I was waiting for my material to

be cut the woman who had been following me around

the store approached me and ask if I was a Professional Decorator!

I looked at her with a surprised look on my face and told her,

"No I am not, I'm just redesigning our master bath".

She wanted to know if she could hire me to redesign her home!

Again, I looked at her with this shocked look on

my face and sadly told her that I work a full time

job and am in the middle of redesigning our

own home and that I am limited on time.

To say that I was flattered is an understatement!

I have had this happen to me before at a different

fabric store.  I think I look like a "professional"

because I bring things with me to the store

and act like I know what I'm doing.

I realize not everyone likes my "style"

and I'm o.k. with that.  I style our home to suit

our likes and what feels warm and inviting to us.

 

I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial and story today.

 

That's it for this week.

Until Next Time,

Veronica