I love roller blinds for their functionality (privacy and light blockage are there when you want it, gone when you don’t), but they’re not always the most exciting thing to look at. (Plain sheet of white vinyl? But here’s a simple way to snazz up the situation — sew your own, using a hacked purchased blind as a base. I think fabric blinds have a minimalism that’s really chic, and they allow you to use bold prints that could be too much in a full-on curtain. Best of all, you can start and finish this project in just a couple hours, so a window makeover is just an afternoon away. CLICK HERE for the full roller blind how-to after the jump! heavy-duty roller blinds (including necessary hardware to hang them) medium-weight fabric (determine how much you’ll need in Step 2) all-purpose thread to match your fabric L-square or yard stick OR cutting mat, rotary cutter and straight edge Sturdy, medium-heavy fabrics (such as light canvas, cotton twill or decor-weight cottons) work best for this project.

A somewhat stiff fabric is preferable over something softer, as the stiff fabric will roll up more successfully than flimsier choices. If you have your heart set on a lightweight fabric, I’d suggest lining it with fusible interfacing to give it more body and stiffness. Although I haven’t tried it, stiff sheer fabrics (like the sheer panels sold at Ikea) would probably work well here too. 2. Hack, Install, and Measure One important thing to note is that you should choose a heavy-weight roller blind (sometimes labeled “maximum light blocking,” or similar). The spring mechanism in lighter blinds isn’t always strong enough to support the weight of a fabric shade, so I suggest playing it safe and going heavy-duty. Install the original (pre-hacked) blind in your window following the manufacturer’s instructions. Note the direction the blind rolls (ie, with the blind rolling from the back or the front of the roller), as well as which end of the roller goes to the left and right.

You’ll need to plan your blind so that it rolls in exactly the same way. Remove the vinyl shade from the purchased roller blind and reserve it for another use. (I gave mine to a friend who is going to use it as a drop cloth when painting.) Also remove the dowel or plastic bar from the bottom of the blind, and set it aside (you’ll use it later).curtains estepona Measure the roller bar from end to end, just inside the caps on each end. thermalogic curtains on saleAdd 1″ to this length for measurement A.umbra curtain rods target Also measure the distance from the roller bar to the spot where you would like the blind to fall, and add 9″ to this length for measurement B.barcelona green eyelet curtains

Cut a piece of fabric that’s as wide as A and long as B. It’s important to cut the fabric straight and even, so that the blind will hang straight. This is probably the trickiest part of this project, so take a little extra care to be sure you’ve got it really straight. To get a good, straight cut, use the selvedge edge of your fabric as a guide — you can count on the selvedge edge to be straight, so if you work from that line, you’ll be on the right track.microfiber 63 grommet blackout window curtain panel If you have access to one, I highly recommend a rotary cutter, cutting mat, and straight edge for this job, as these tools make it really easy to cut perfectly straight lines and right angles. made to measure curtains beverleyIf you don’t have these, you can use an L-square or a yard stick to mark straight lines.curtains keilor rd

Make the first cut along the selvedge edge, then measure from that line to make the remaining cuts, being careful to cut right angles so that all edges will be straight. Turn under the long side edges 1/2″ and press. (Note: only turn the fabric under once, not twice as you would normally do. It’s best to avoid extra bulk in the seams so that the blind will roll up neatly, and a double-fold would case more bulk. This does mean that the raw edge of the fabric will be visible on the back side of the curtain, but what the heck, live dangerously!) Sew along the side seams, stitching close to the folded-under raw edge. Next, turn under the bottom edge 1/2″ and press, then turn it under another 1 1/2″ and press again. Stitch in place, sewing close to the interior fold. (Note: the sides of the hem will stay open, which creates a sleeve for inserting the dowel at the bottom of the blind.) To attach the fabric blind to the roller mechanism, place the fabric right-side up on a work surface.

(The cutting mat works great here, as you can use the grid lines to be sure you’re aligning everything evenly.) It’s important to be sure the roller is aligned perfectly straight at the top edge of the fabric, so that the fabric will roll evenly. (Also take a moment here to be sure your fabric will be rolling in the correct direction, as you noted in Step 2.) On the blinds I purchased, there was adhesive left on the roller from where the vinyl had been attached, and it was strong enough to hold my fabric panel. If that’s not the case for you, apply a strip of double-sided tape to attach the fabric to the roller. Then simply roll the fabric onto the roller. Pop your blind back into the hardware you installed earlier. Insert the dowel (which you removed earlier from the hacked blind) into the pocket and you’re done!Starting at $10 Couples Cup - One of The Best Gift for Valentine's DaysConsider Blackout Curtains to Save Energy and Control Light and Noise Home & Garden |

Blackout curtains were used in Britain during World War Two to hide interior light from Nazi planes. If a Nazi pilot saw light coming from a building, the pilot was likely to bomb that structure. WWII is long over, but blackout curtains have a variety of other uses, including saving you money on heating bills. The 3 Main Functions of Blackout Curtains Blackout curtains have three main functions: Block light, block noise, reduce energy costs. 1.Blackout Curtains Block Light Some brands of blackout curtains claim to block up to 99% of light. People who work at night can suffer from health problems due to their unusual sleep habits. Blackout curtains can create the ambiance of night and help reduce those health problems. The curtains can benefit those living in northern cities where the sun may be out for twenty or more hours a day. Blackout curtains can also be used to create complete darkness for your home theater system. 2.Blackout Curtains Block Noise Eclipse Curtains claim that their curtains can block 40% of noise.

This factor might also come in handy if you work during the day. 3.Blackout Curtains Save Energy Blackout curtains can trap heat in during the winter and keep light and heat out during the summer. 10-25% of thermal energy loss goes out the windows. Blackout curtains can curtail this loss by a 25%, reducing your utility bills and greenhouse gases. How Much Do Blackout Curtains Cost and Where Can I Get Them? High-end blackout curtains can be expensive, somewhere in the $100+ area. However, you can find blackout curtains for less than twenty dollars. You can buy blackout curtains at almost any major retailer. For example, Walmart sells the Eclipse brand that was mentioned earlier. Make Your Own Blackout Curtains According to Green Living Tips—a great site and one of the places I found a lot of info about blackout curtains—you can make your own blackout curtains out of your current curtains. Here's how: From Green Living Tips: If you're handy with a sewing machine you can also save a bit of money by converting your current curtains - just add the blackout liners which you can buy from a haberdashery store.

As there's varying quality in blackout liners, be sure to hold samples up to a strong light before purchasing to ensure it works sufficiently. What About Blackout Shades and Blinds? These two window coverings work similarly to blackout curtains. Blackout curtains are often favored for larger windows. Shades and blinds are a good way to cover smaller windows. Depending on the brand, blackout shades are comparable in benefits to blackout curtains. Blinds aren't as advantageous in the heating and cooling department, but blinds do give you the advantage to control the light that enters the room. They are great for a photographer or any artist that works with varying shades of light. How to Hang Blackout Curtains Most blackout curtains are hung like regular curtains. The fabric at the top needs to be situated properly so that it blocks light. Make sure the rod gives the curtain ample space to cover the sides of the window. Is There a Dark Side to Blackout Curtains? Some companies make their blackout curtains with vinyl, a material that has health risks associated with it.