Welcome to our DIY journey where we effortlessly unravel the secrets of transforming your living space. Have you ever wondered how a simple addition like window blinds or shades could redefine the ambiance of your home? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the exciting process of creating personalized window treatments that control light and privacy and add a touch of your unique style to every room.

Ready to dive into the world of creativity and functionality? Our comprehensive guide on how to make a window blind shade is designed to make crafting homemade blinds and shades a breeze. From essential steps to crucial considerations and many customizable options, we’ve got you covered. Let’s turn your home into a haven of comfort and aesthetic delight!

Gather Materials and Tools For the Project

Before starting your window treatment project, you must gather essential materials and tools. Having these items ready ahead of time will make the process smoother.

Materials

• Fabric is the main material for making blinds and shades. Choose from cotton, linen, polyester, or faux wood. Make sure to buy enough yardage based on the window size.
• Dowels or rods – For mounting the blinds or shades. Wood and metal rods work well.
• Board or stiff material – To make the base slat for blinds. Plastic, wood, or heavy cardboard can be used.
• Screws and hardware – For mounting brackets, pulleys and rods.
• Cord, string, or rope – Used with pulley systems to raise and lower shades.
• Adhesives – Glue or fabric tape to bond materials.

Tools

• Tape measure – To measure windows precisely.
• Pencil – For marking cuts and measurements on materials.
• Scissors – Essential for cutting fabric to size.
• Saw – For cutting dowels and wooden pieces to size.
• Drill – For drilling screw holes as needed.
• Screwdriver – For installing mounting brackets and hardware.
• Staple gun – For attaching fabric to wooden pieces.
• Ruler – For evenly measuring and marking materials.
• Iron – For smoothing out fabric before cutting and installing.

Choose Your Window Blind or Shade Style

With the basics covered, it’s time to decide what type of window blind or shade you want to make. Consider the style, functionality, and look you’re aiming for. Here are some of the most common options:

Roller Shades

Roller shades are a simple, no-fuss option. They roll up and down on a dowel or tube. You can make roller shades using fabric, dowels, and mounting brackets. You can use sheer fabrics for light filtering or light-blocking materials for room darkening.

Roman Shades

When raised, Roman shades have a classic gathered look. They are made using fabric mounted on dowels and a cord system for lifting. Calculate 2-3 times the window measurement to determine fabric yardage.

Pleated Shades

Pleated shades offer crisp, uniform folds when opened. They are made using stiffened fabric folded into accordion-style pleats. The fabric can be up to five times the window size.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds feature horizontal slats that adjust for light control. They are made using a base slat, thin wood or metal blind slats, and string/cords for adjusting.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds have long suspended slats that stack when opened. Make them using fabric, plastic, or wood cut into vertical strips and a pulley system.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades insulate with a honeycomb structure. They are made by bonding and sealing fabric into cellular pouches and mounting them as a unit.

Take Precise Measurements

With your window blind or shade style selected, the next crucial step is taking detailed window measurements. Having 100% accurate measurements will ensure your homemade window treatments fit perfectly.

Use a steel tape measure and be precise when measuring the width and length. Write down the window measurements to refer back to for cutting. Also, measure and note any obstructions like handles that will impact the blinds or shades.

Measure twice for total accuracy. Even slightly off measurements can result in window treatments that don’t fit or function properly.

Purchase Materials and Prefab Components

You can now purchase the necessary materials and components for your blinds or shades using your window measurements. Buy the exact amount of materials to avoid waste. Some prefab parts like dowels and hardware kits can also simplify DIY installation.

Some materials to purchase:

• Fabric yardage
• Blind/shade rods or dowels
• Base slat or bottom rail
• Mounting brackets
• Hardware kit (screws, cords, pulleys, cleats)
• Fabric tape or adhesives

Having all materials and parts on hand before starting will make the process faster.

Cut Fabric Pieces to Size

With the purchased materials, you can start fabricating the window blinds or shades. The first step is cutting the fabric to size based on your window measurements.

Measure twice before making any cuts to be sure the fabric dimensions are perfect. Use sharp scissors to cut the fabric cleanly and smoothly. Cut along the fabric grain when possible to minimize fraying. Make cuts precisely, leaving a little extra length and width rather than cutting too short.

Iron fabrics before cutting to flatten and remove any creases. This helps get straight cuts. Carefully cut any notches, hems, or tabs in the fabric according to your blind or shade design.

Attach Fabric to Mounting Pieces

Next, attach the cut fabric pieces to the dowels, rods, rails, or rings that mount your blinds or shades. Use adhesive fabric tape or glue to affix the fabric neatly and securely.

Wrap and tape the fabric around a wooden or metal roller rod for roller shades. When wrapped, make sure the fabric is taut and straight.

For Roman shades, mount the fabric to a top wooden lath rod using rings, dowels, or adhesive. The fabric can be loosely draped for soft folds.

Apply the fabric cleanly and smoothly, and keep the grain straight to get a professional finish.

Install Functional Components

The following vital steps involve installing the functional hardware that allows your blinds or shades to operate.

Install metal or plastic mounting brackets evenly spaced at each window edge for blinds and shades on a roller. The rod or roller should fit snugly but still roll smoothly.

Attach a cord tensioner and pulley system that allows easy raising and lowering of the shade fabric. Position cords out of the child’s reach for safety.

For horizontal Venetian blinds, install the headrail, then clip on each slat. Run cords through the slats to control the angle. Add tiebacks to gather raised slats.

Fully install all hardware needed to operate the blinds or shades correctly before final mounting.

Mount the Window Treatment

With all fabrication and components installed, you’re finally ready to mount the blinds or shades on the window.

First, position the window treatment correctly over the window area. Carefully level and center so it fits the window properly. Use a pencil to mark any drill holes needed on the window frame lightly.

Drill pilot holes, take accurate measurements of space and depth, then securely screw in mounting brackets into the window framing. Ensure brackets are level, spaced correctly, and can reliably support the blinds/shades.

Attach side mounting clips on the shade roller or headrail ends for inside window mounting. Then, hang and insert the clips into the main brackets. Test raising and lowering function.

Add Final Touches

To complete your custom window blinds or shades, add any final touches:

• Place a sturdy chair, table, or block below as a stop for lowered shades.
• Neatly wrap or tie any loose cords.
• Use decorative holdbacks or tiebacks on blinds/shades.
• Steam fabric to remove creases or wrinkles.
• Touch up any hardware or paint.
• Affix manufacturers label for child safety.
• Enjoy your new window treatment!

You can successfully make your blinds or shades With careful measuring, cutting, installation, and adjustments. Just take it step-by-step. The ability to customize them to your windows makes DIY options extra rewarding.

How do you make homemade window blinds?

Some common ways to make homemade blinds include:

• Roller shades – Wrap the fabric around a dowel with tape or staples. Mount on brackets.
• Roman shades – Sew fabric to rings or wooden lath. Lift with cord and pulley.
• Venetian blinds – Assemble slats and string on the headrail. Control slat angle with cord.
• Vertical blinds – Cut fabric/plastic into strips. Hang on the window with carriers and track.

How are window shades made?

Window shades are commonly made by:

• Cutting fabric to the size of a window.
• Attaching fabric to roller tubes or rings.
• Adding weighted hem or bottom bar.
• Installing hardware like brackets, pulleys, and cords.

How do you make a blackout blind?

Use particular opaque blackout fabric, such as line or back fabric, for extra darkness. Make it a roller blind or Roman shade. Ensure tight side gaps and complete coverage for the blackout effect.

Can I make my roller shades?

Yes, DIY roller shades are a great, easy option. Wrap the fabric around a cut-to-size tube or dowel. Mount on brackets with screw eyes. Add cord and pulley system to raise and lower.

How to make a cheap blind?

To make no-frills DIY blinds on a budget, use inexpensive materials like cardboard tubes, glue, duct tape, and sheets or fabric remnants. Simple roller shades and Roman shades work well.

Can I make my window shade?

Definitely! Homemade window shades are doable with basic sewing skills, simple materials from a craft store, and DIY tutorials. They allow custom sizes and styles.

How do you make shades at home?

Measure the window, calculate the fabric needed, and cut to size. Hem the edges and make side tabs. Attach rings or a back mounting board. Insert a dowel at the top. Add a cord and pulley mechanism. Mount in the window frame.

What material are blinds made of?

Interior window blinds are commonly made from vinyl, plastic, wood (basswood, faux wood), aluminum, fabric, bamboo, reeds, jute, and paper/synthetic composites.

What is used in window blinds?

Typical components of window blinds include slats, cords/strings, headrails, side rails, ladders, lift cords, wands, brackets, valances, and various hardware pieces. Fabrics, metals, and plastics are used.

Final Thoughts

In the pursuit of elevating your living space, one often overlooks the transformative power of window treatments. Whether you seek to enhance aesthetics, control light, or secure privacy, the solution lies within the realm of DIY window blinds or shades. This blog post serves as a pragmatic guide, employing the Pain-Agitate-Solution framework, to empower you in the art of crafting custom window treatments from scratch. No unnecessary frills, just a straightforward journey through the steps, considerations, and options to effortlessly upgrade any room in your home.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What’s the most effortless style of blinds to make at home?

Roller shades are one of the easiest options for DIY blinds. They require basic materials like dowels, fabric, and mounting brackets. Roman shades are also fairly simple, requiring only some basic sewing skills.

Can I make blackout blinds for light blocking?

Yes, you can make practical blackout roller blinds using particular opaque fabric. Line the fabric for extra light blocking. Hung tightly and thoroughly, homemade blackout blinds can darken a room completely.

What kind of fabric works best?

Lightweight cotton, linen, polyester, and poly-cotton blends work well for DIY blinds and shades. Some specialty fabrics like blackout cloth, bamboo, and faux wood also work great.

How do I calculate the fabric yardage needed?

Measure window height and width, then add extra for top/bottom hem, side hems, and seams. Roller shades need up to 2 times the window measurements. Roman and pleated shades need 2-3 times.