A few weeks back I shared some pics of the window treatments in our master bedroom and I promised to share all the details from the fabric to the “how to” details… well I finally got it done!!!
Can you believe I made these with the cheap, ugly mini-blinds that were hanging in our house when we moved in!!! Yep that’s right.
These gorgeous roman shades started with a $3 mini-blind!
I came across some tutorials of transforming your mini-blinds and knew that when I got around to our master bedroom makeover that I would be using them.
First let me give you a list of what I used:
{Supplies}
Cheap mini-blind
Black out shade or something to use as a backing (not necessary, but helps it keep it’s shape)
Fabric you love ~ Mine is Richloom Platinum Collection Jayda Printed Linen Blend Drapery Fabric in Bramble. I bought it at Fabricguru.com
Scissors
Fabri-tac glue
{How to}
1st ~ Measure your window. Add 1-2” to each side. So, if your window is 40×50 then you need your fabric to be at least 42-44”x52-54”. You also need to decide how many folds you want your shade to have. This will determine how many slats you will keep. I spaced mine about 11 1/2 inches apart, which gave me 4 slats and then the bottom piece. (I promise this will make more sense as you read on).
2nd ~ Release your mini-blind so that it’s lowered all the way & take them down and sprawl them on your floor.
3rd ~ Cut away the thin, ladder-like strings.
Don’t cut that thick one!!! That is the cord that raises and lowers the blinds – you will need that!
4th ~ Use a small screwdriver and pop off the plug on the bottom piece of the blinds. Inside you’ll see the end of that thick, pull-up cord tied in a knot.
I just cut the knot off (You will retie this at the end) and slide off the base piece.
5th ~ Slide off all the slats, except for the ones you need for your folds (4 for me).
6th ~ Onto the fabric! I cut my blackout liner to the exact size of my window. Then I cut out my print fabric 1 1/2” larger on all sizes. I ironed the print fabric and then placed it print side facedown and the blackout liner on top. Use your Fabri-tac glue to glue the edges of the print fabric onto the blackout liner.
7th ~ Place the remainder of the mini-blind on top of the glued fabric, placing the top at the top of the fabric. Glue the mini-blind top onto the blackout shade making sure you do not glue the pull-up cord of the blinds.
8th ~ Measure out where your slats will be on your fabric and glue the concaved side of the slat (the side with the most surface area) onto the shade. Make sure you DO NOT get any glue on the pull-up cord.
9th ~ Now take the end of the pull-up cord and reinsert it in hole on the base of the shade. Re-tie a knot at the end of the string and put the plug back in. Glue down the base of the shade at the bottom of the fabric.
10th ~ Hang your GORGEOUS shade!
I LOVE how they turned out!
You can check out here for a fab tutorial that helped me out!
Super job Maryann!
They look terrific in your room.
The whole room just makes me go ahhhhh!
gail
I LOVE this. I am window covering challenged…mainly because they cost so much. I think I am headed to home depot (i have no blinds to start with!)
These are gorgeous, I love the fabric you used. This is such a great idea, I never would have thought to use old mini blinds! Great Job!
Unreal. They look fabulous. Great tutorial also. Hugs, Marty
Your window treatments are gorgeous! What a great idea!
That is such a pretty fabric and the whole room looks fabulous! Well done Maryann!
Well talk about green. I would have never thought to reuse parts of the mini blind. Great look and so awesome.
I love this!!! We have wood blinds, but they are older and I'm thinking I can use this technique to update them. Thanks!
I love reusing those ugly mini blinds. I've been taking them down in every room but if I use this tutorial all I need is some fabric! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
Maryann, What a great tutorial. I am certainly making this for 2 bedrooms!!!!
I'll let you know how it goes. I have those ugly cheap blinds hanging up in those rooms right now!!!!!
Your tutorial is wonderful an easy to follow!
xo Yvonne
That is simply out of this world. I've been sitting on a bolt of fabric for a year trying to decide how to make window treatments. You have just saved me TONS of money. When I get it done, I will definitely post and send you the link. Your room looks marvelous!!!
First off, your bedroom is beautiful! Second, how cool is this project! Can't wait to try it on the blinds in my kitchen! Thanks!
Those look amazing. I love your fabric choice, too.
These are beautiful. Love the fabric!
CAS
These are just wonderful! I have bought kits in the past to do these types of shades, but they can be quite pricey. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
AMAZING! I will have to do this. I have always loved roman shades, but thought they would be difficult to make. These I might be able to make. Thanks so much for posting!
WOW! You are a genius! And the fabric is delish! I love this. Thank you so much for sharing! We have a funky sized window in our den and now I know what to do with it!
So clever! I really need to replace my ugly mini blinds! I would love for you to come link up to my Sew Crafty Party !
Love it! Can't wait to try it.
Where do you get the black out shade?
I bought our blackout shade at Lowes. They are hanging panels. You could probably cut up a black out roller shade too.
Love it! Great Idea!
You so have me ready to do this!! I hate mini blinds so this is going to be a great fix! Thanks for posting, now following from Just Something I whipped up!
Stunning!! Thanks for posting a tutorial
well done and such pretty fabric.
I also saw that tutorial on LGN and can't wait to make these myself. Your instructions are amazing! Thanks for all the tips. And your shades now look outstanding, really!
I think this is a miracle makeover project and you did it fabulously!
What a superb job! You have given me an idea for my bedroom. thanks
SHUT UP!!!!!!! I'm literally internet yelling right now because I just don't know how else to express my excitement about this! CRAZY!!! And the fact that there is NO sewing involved makes my day!!!
I want these soooo bad in our master, but I have had literally the WORST time finding fabric for the room that I pretty much gave up. Your fabric is absolutely stunning! I also am stuck between two designs. I'm totally in love with your style and I'd love your input… http://designbuildlove.co/?p=252
This is so great!! I'm definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing!
Love the fabric! I have a very similar print in my kitchen with happy green walls.
This is a great idea, do the slats show from outside the window?
I've done this by purchasing a ecru roman shade from Pier 1 (under $15)and sewing my own fabric over the top, skipping the areas where the sticks are. They weren't functional to raise and lower regularly, but I didn't need them too.
Happy decorating!
I just want you to know we might be window treatment twins! I came across you tutorial for these window blinds today. I posted the same tut literally the day before you did on April 21. Is it possible that our windows were made in the same factory and they were all calling out for new treatments? Anyway I adore your blog. Than you for all the inspiration you'v given me over this past year! Please check out my blogity-blog if you have a chance after all I am your window treatment twin!!
http://365days2simplicity.blogspot.com/2011/04/easy-no-sew-roman-shades.html
Angela
This is THE bedroom I want for my new house. I already have dark bedroom furniture and wanted a pretty blue wall. Also, the roman shades were just a dream….or so I thought until I saw what you did with your blinds. A magazine bedroom for sure. Hugs, Jan
Gorgeous room Maryann, I love the fabric you used and fantastic tutorial too. I linked this to my roman shades project post too today, well done!
BRILLIANT BRILLIANT BRILLIANT…I always get hung up on roman shade tutorials when they start going into thredding the rings and such…THIS is a perfect alternative!
This is awesome! I knew I had hung onto my broken blinds for a reason! Thanks~
You are simply brilliant!!!!! I am blown away! I need to try this!
Be blessed!
Wow! Just what I have been looking for! I was thinking I would have to toss my (burgundy… yuck!) blinds but this is a great way to reuse them and still get the blackout/insulating properties of the blinds!
Mary
I was blown away by this idea. I am going out and buying one of these mini blinds so I can try this idea. I also love the fabric you chose.
These are amazing! What a great idea!
You are my hero – the main room where we spend time in our new house has 14 windows. My last house didn't have 14 windows in the whole house! I sit here and try to think of attractive, cheap ways to make window coverings…and even faux wood blinds would be a couple hundred dollars. The 14 windows have blinds…and I can't wait to try this project. I love the no-sew aspect of it…now I just need to find a no sew pillow! Thanks so much!
Does it matter how thick of fabric you use? I would LOVE to make these, but I am fabric illiterate!! Please help??
Thanks so much for your awesome blog!!
Unknown ~ I'm not sure how thick of fabric you could use. I've only tried with burlap & I'm sure it might depend on your printer too.
Can we do this samething with a regular sized blind? Cuz I dont have any window in my house which would use a mini blind.
Any help is appreciated.!!!
Thanks!
That is fabulous Maryann – great job and they look so professional! I will now go and look at some of your other blogposts!!
Linda
Loved your curtains and had to try making some myself. Your tutorial was wonderful and I was so pleased with the finished project!! Thank you so much!!
what glue did you use to adhere the plastic blind slats to the fabric?
Melissa Casey I used Fabri-Tac. You can find it at JoAnns or even Walmart.
and it held – great – that’s what i figured, but thought it was more for a fabric to fabric bond. that’s on my to do list for our master. I want more of a woven grass type fabric – I shall see what Joann’s has! If you’ve seen any fabric like that give me a shout out!
thanks for the tutorial btw!!!
Thank you for such a great idea and easy to follow tutorial! I just made the 1st of 5 planned for a bow window. It looks beautiful. However, I am having an issue with the bracket on the blind. When hung up I had to pull up the fabric from the header and now it sags. Should I just re glue onto the bracket holder? I would like to adjust them fairly often. Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Literally just made these 5 minutes ago. SO easy and I think they’ll look good. Waiting for the glue to dry to do the first “pull up.”
will the bright sun affect the adhesive/glue? I have several window that are directly in the hot afternoon sun.
I LOVE THIS!!!! But I have to know where you got the gorgeous fabric. It would look so awesome in my living room. Please let me know and thanks for this great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marian I found the fabric at http://www.fabricguru.com/cart/index.php
OH, HALLELUJAH! I just priced a roman shade kit and it was going to be $68. NO WAY…I’ve used them in the past for a client, and they were gorgeous, but I’m not paying that much! Now to find a cheap mini-blind…whew!
How could you do this to me…you had to show me these super easy blinds for my 27 windows / showed me the perfect bedroom / and introduced me to the fabric store from heaven…My life, home, and bank account will never be the same…but I love it. Thanks, Lori
I love your tutorial. It’s very reasy to understand for a NON-CRAFTY person. I have completed 1 of 3 windows, but I have a question about the pull cord. My pull cored is behind the fabric, so I have to reach in/behind the fabric and when I pull up, the cord gets caught/wrapped up in the fabric.
What did I do wrong???
It rained all day today, so my idea to do yardwork went out the door, and this project made it to the top of the list. I gathered up all the supplies needed and slowly (so I wouldn’t screw the cutting) worked my way through your tutorial. Your steps make it easy. After watchin the Fabri-tac video, I think I may have used too much glue, oops. I’m letting everything set up overnight before hanging (I couldn’t find out how long it takes for Fabri-tac to dry), but I’m dying to see how they turned out. I have a few concerns with my project: 1) I’m using a stripe pattern, what if it turnes out crooked (argh), and 2) the cords on the old, ugly blinds had been cut _very_ short. The previous owner of the house prob did it for child proffing. Anyway I just wanted to let you know that I’m giving it a whack, and also to thank you for your post.
Nicky
Maryanne, I so love this tute for a faux roman shade. We are in the process of redoing our son’s room and I wanted to make something like this for his window! You came to my rescue today friend. I’ll let you know how they turned out!
I just want to thank you for this post because it made it so easy for me to have nice (affordable) blinds in my house upon moving in! You’ll never know how much I appreciated it