Well I’ve certainly got that winter nesty feeling. Never thought I’d say it but the rain can tip down as much as it likes. The wind can howl till it’s heart content and who cares if it’s cold as a polar bear’s nose. I am happily inside, toasty and warm, making bread, watching old movies, sewing and putting up my freshly made Roman blinds, or Roman shades if you are anywhere but the UK!
I’m assuming the fabric is vintage. It had that musty attic smell about it when I landed 5 metres of it, for £10 at a charity shop. But nothing a spruce in the washing machine couldn’t sort.
The hardest thing about these darn blinds (or shades) is photographing them! Too light outside and you get too much show through. Too dark and you see nothing!
Too long trying to be arty farty with it all and you get cat-hassle!
I’ve made these on a couple of occasions before but only posted on Burda. This set I made for Little Miss Ooobop’s room using an remnant of fabric I picked up in a discount fabric store for a fiver:
And these black ones I made for my eldest daughter… for considerably more pounds:
This is a great sewing project for a beginner because it only involves sewing in straight lines. But as many times as you make them you still have to measure twice and cut once. Or in my case, five or six times. It’s all in the maths.
For anyone who’s interested I will compile a tutorial. I didn’t take in-progress shots, mainly because I worked in such a horrendous way, spread all out on the living room floor with cats jeopardising the project every step of the way! But I will create some diagrams which should be a lot easier to follow. Just not tonight, ’cause I’m pooped!
I love making roman blinds. I went on a day’s course to learn how to make them – it was quite some time ago so I’d love to see your tutorial to see if you do anything differently. That red vintage fabric is gorgeous
Thanks Tialys. I will do my best. I can’t promise any professional techniques!
I recently made roman blinds for my parents and it was hellish
– the construction instructions I had hurt my brain
– I had to piece the material to make it wide enough
– It was nearly the size of a cricket pitch
– I had to cut and measure while my toddler ran over the material.
I’ve vowed that the only people who get roman blinds are those who have been looking after my daughter two days a week for the last two and a half years.
The upshot of this, is that I’m full of admiration that you’ve made more than one. I think I’m going to pay for any future window dressing!
Oh I totally know where you are coming from! It does hurt your brain, I had cat prints all over the lining and I certainly won’t volunteer to make one for anyone else! That’s why I’d rather post a tutorial!
Beautiful!!!
Thank you 🙂
You should write a children’s book, with your description of the weather! You’re so productive!
Ha ha… obviously been in the game for too long. Naaa… don’t do words, just pictures and layouts! I’ll leave that side of the studio to the experts! 🙂
Gorgeous
Thank you 🙂
Ah yes, the feline menace. They look innocuous enough but as soon as you want to do something they’re in with tails high. Cute though no?
The blinds all look great :o)
Thanks CS. Indeed they are. Doesn’t matter how secretly and silently I sew, they have special super senses to seek me out!
I love them, the fabric is beautiful 🙂
Thank you Jayne 🙂
Love that fabric! The detail and color in it really show off to best advantage in Roman shades. They look so good!
I want to make some of these for my bedroom bay window. I made some many years ago and, you’re right, it did hurt my brain. I’ve pinned several tutorials, but I’m sure yours would be much better!
I am going to try drawing some diagrams to illustrate rather than photograph. In this instance I think it might be better. And at least remind myself so I dont have to remember all over again!
I would love a tutorial! We really need some blinds. We ahve lived in our house for a year now and no curtains yet just those old slotted blinds that do not close properly. lol. yours are gorgeous! Love the black one too!
Thanks so much Punkmik. It took me 5 years to get round to the ones on the landing! But hey. All done now. Tute coming soon 🙂
Lovely blinds! Look forward to your post. Custom made Roman blinds are quite expensive to buy (think of the profit the shops are making!). I’d love to make my own too!
Thanks you SSL. They do take a bit of time. Mostly the calculations and the fittings but the blind itself is dead easy to sew.
I’d be interested in a tutorial as I’m knee dep in curtains at the moment and the roman blind is next! And I’m a little bit apprehensive!
Tute coming soon! They are very simple but a little more time consuming than curtains.
lovely job on these.
Thanks T&T 🙂
These are fab! I love the fabric, and a tutorial would be great. 🙂
Thanks Lynne. Tute in the making! 🙂
I love how you’ve made so many ( well done you, that’s what I call a blind sewing marathon!) and I also love how they all share a similar fabric style, gorgeous. Now time for some selfish sewing by my reckoning!
Thanks Winnie. Not all at the same time, thank goodness! I thought I had just one more to do for the kitchen but Mr O’s got plans on the bay in the living room. Doh! But you are right of course… selfish sewing time first! 🙂
These are incredibly cute. But how do you make the raising-and-lowering mechanism?
Thanks so much. I will detail that in the tutorial that I am putting together but it is fundamentally nylon cord, plastic rings and wooden dowels. Very simple and cheap(ish) solution.
Very, very pretty! And I would absolutely love a tutorial! Your roman shades are by far the most beautiful handmade blinds I’ve seen so far. And I haven’t yet stumbled upon a good tutorial for making these, so I would appreciate it very much if you would make one:)
Oh, yes, I recognise feline assistance! Love that fabric you got for your blinds, Funny, I never have made blinds, Curtains and clothing, but not blinds…yet…
Nice to see you over at my blog! I shall plan to keep an eye on yours too!
Absolutely Beautiful!!