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Around the Home DIY Home Decor

No Sew Roman Shades

Raise your hand if your Pinterest boards are full of projects you pinned with every intent to try someday!  Well, my friends, that someday is here! Welcome to the March Pinterest Challenge, hosted by My Pinterventures. The purpose of this Pinterest Challenge is to motivate all the participants of this hop (and you too) to not just pin, but to make it happen! So this month, I chose to make No Sew Roman Shades for our kitchen.

No Sew Roman Shades

I have intended to make these for so long, perusing Pinterest and checking out the many pins offering inspiration and tutorials.  The very first time came across the concept of no sew Roman shades was on the blog Domestically Speaking.  I immediately pinned it and thought I would get it done in no time.  Fast forward a couple of years and this Pinterest Challenge was just the kick in the behind I needed to actually tackle the project.

It has been a year since we did our kitchen renovation and sadly it was still lacking window coverings.  This challenge couldn’t have come at a better time.

In this post I will share my experience making the shades, a link to the post that inspired me, and a few things I “learned” from the project. I will definitely be making them again for other windows in our home.

DISCLAIMER:  I apologize in advance for the photo’s I took while working on the shades.  I should have taken more, step by step photos, but I was so engrossed in the project, I often forgot to snap a picture.  And, since I was working in a basement with one tiny window BEFORE the clocks went ahead the overhead lighting is not all that flattering!  

To make no sew Roman shades you will need:

  • inexpensive vinyl mini blind in the correct size for your window
  • fabric glue (I used this kind)
  • hot glue gun and glue stick
  • fabric of your choice that measures approximately 2″ larger on all sides than your blind
  • fabric scissors
  • tape measure

No Sew Roman Shades

Before you begin, calculate how many mini blind slats you will require.  In my case, the total length is 40 inches and I spaced them out 8″ apart, including the bottom rail I needed 

Lay your fabric out on a large surface and iron out any creases before proceeding, if required.  Open your mini blind fully and lay it on your fabric with the open/close mechanism facing up, about an inch down from the edge of the fabric.

No Sew Roman Shades

Carefully cut the ladder strings and remove them.  BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO CUT THE PULL STRING.  It is usually slightly thicker than the ladder string.

No Sew Roman Shades

Pop plugs out of the bottom rail and undo the pull string knots.  Pull off the bottom rail and all but the required number of slats.  

No Sew Roman Shades

Wrap the top inch of fabric around the top rail and glue in place with a glue gun.  I tried using fabric glue for this step, but I just could not get it to stick.  I applied the hot glue sparingly so it wouldn’t seep through the fabric.

Position the rungs the desired distance apart.  The measurement starts from the top row.  Since I wanted the folds to be 8 inches apart, the first slat was positioned 8 inches down from the top rail, and every 8 inches after that.  Make sure the slats are level all the way across.

Using fabric glue on the slats into place, convex side down.  Be sure not to get any glue on the pull cords!

Leave the glue to set for a couple of hours.

No Sew Roman Shades

When the glue has set, thread the pull cords back through the holes in the bottom rail and re-tie the knots.  Snap the plugs back into the holes.

no sew roman shades

Trim the fabric about one inch from the bottom rail, and pull fabric up and glue in place.  Again, I used hot glue sparingly for this, avoiding the pull cords.  You can certain fold the edge to finish it before gluing in place, but since it  won’t be seen, I didn’t think it was necessary.

Hang blinds as you would any mini blind and they should open and close smoothly.

No Sew Roman Shade

I am super happy with how they turned out.  I had chosen a dense cotton twill striped fabric, which block out almost all the light when closed, so I did not feel the need to line them.  

During the day I pull them right open to allow all the gorgeous sunshine in! 

No Sew Roman Shades

A few things I am taking away from my first attempt at making my no sew roman shades:

I actually don’t mind that they are mounted on the outside of the window frame.  Almost all of the tutorials I cam across showed the shades mounted inside the window frame and I really like that look. Because our window is a bit of an odd size, I couldn’t find the correct size to hang the shades on the inside of the window frame, but in the end I actually like them better on the outside.

I also was very lucky because the fabric I purchased was the exact width I wanted, and had a finished edge. I didn’t need to finish the actually dodges by folding in the edges and gluing in place.  Given all the other windows in our home are much narrower than this kitchen window, I have to be prepared for this extra step.

Although most of the tutorials stressed the fact that you should not use hot glue for this project, I really could not get the the fabric to stick to the top or bottom rails with the fabric glue.  I was careful to apply the hot glue sparingly and it turned out fine.  I do agree though, to only use fabric glue when gluing the slats in place.

If at all possible do not work on the floor!!  Oh, my aching back.  

And finally, next time I really need to relax!!  I was so afraid of missing a step or cutting the wrong string or gluing it on upside down, that I was tense the entire time.  Although this is an inexpensive option to real roman shades, the cost of fabric made me cringe that I might make a mistake and waste it!

 

No Sew Roman Shades

Now that I have actually created my first Pinterest project, there is no telling what I will make next! What I now for sure, is that it feels good to actually start picking away at all the projects have inspired me!

There are man tutorials on how to make these shades, and I encourage you to explore different options, but here is a link to the post that inspired me, with a full step by step tutorial!

Now, scroll down to see what other’s are being inspired to try and then go get started on your own project!

Until next time…..

Red Cottage Chronicles

 

 

 

To join next month’s challenge, click here to sign-up ⇒ April Pinterest Challenge


Now let’s see what other things Pinterest inspired! Head over and visit the other hosts to see what they crafted, cooked, built, or tried!

Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop

Erlene – My Pinterventures • Shirley – Intelligent Domestications

• Jenny – Cookies Coffee and Crafts

Joanne – Our Unschooling Journey • 

Roseann – This Autoimmune Life • Kelli – The Olympic Nest• Lynne – My Family Thyme • Beverly – Across the Blvd.

Debra – Shoppe No. 5 • Pili – My Sweet Things

Laurie – My Husband Has Top Many Hobbies • Kristie – Teadoddles

Julie – Sum of their Stories • Gwen – Geez, Gwen!

Marie – The Inspiration Vault • Candice – Fearlessly Creative Mammas •

T’onna – Sew Crafty Crochet • Kenyatta – My Design Rules

• Magen – The Kusi Life

Cherryl – Farm Girl Reformed •

Leslie – Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

Micah – Home Faith Family • Kelley – Simply Inspired Meal

Lauren – Mom Home Guide • Deborah – Salvage Sister & Mister

Gail – Purple Hues and Me • Terri – Our Good Life • Lisa – Blogghetti

Lauren – Wonderfully Made • Sue – A Purdy Little House

Toni – Red Cottage Chronicles

Marci – Stone Cottage Adventures • Michelle – Our Crafty Mom

An InLinkz Link-up


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20 Comments

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Comments

  1. Mother of 3 says

    March 20, 2018 at 7:21 pm

    I have always been quite intimidated by projects like this too. Your shades came out beautifully though and I love the fabric you chose too. Pinned.

    Reply
  2. Laurie says

    March 20, 2018 at 9:48 pm

    This is a project that has been on my list for a long time too! Love how yours turned out! I’m inspired to give it a try!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      March 21, 2018 at 7:29 am

      Thank you Laurie!

      Reply
  3. Gwen says

    March 20, 2018 at 10:26 pm

    When I saw the title of this post I immediately thought of Jerry McGuire and “You had me at hello.” See, “You had me at No Sew!” I can’t sew. But I can glue like nobody’s business! I love how these came out! Your fabric choice is something I would have picked myself! Really beautiful! Great job! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      March 21, 2018 at 7:28 am

      Thank you Gwen! The sewing gene missed me in our family, so it all about the glue projects for me too

      Reply
  4. Jenny says

    March 21, 2018 at 7:04 am

    This roman shade came out great. I’ve pinned these to and I’ve always been to nervous about ruining the fabric to give it a try. Roman shades are great though. Pinning!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      March 21, 2018 at 7:30 am

      Thanks Jenny! I will definitely be more relaxed when I make the next one!

      Reply
  5. Emily @DomesticDeadline.com says

    March 21, 2018 at 11:58 am

    Your custom shade is perfect! You did a great job.

    Reply
  6. Kelley says

    March 21, 2018 at 1:02 pm

    Great project, I need these for my backyard cottage. I will pin to save for later. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  7. Lisa Kerhin says

    March 21, 2018 at 5:26 pm

    I’ve had this one pinned for a long time but every time I think about making the shades, I get a bit intimidated by the whole thing. I love your tutorial and just may give it a go! Pinned

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      March 22, 2018 at 8:31 am

      Lisa, do give it a try! Biggest lesson for me was to just relax and not over think the process!

      Reply
  8. Kelli says

    March 21, 2018 at 9:32 pm

    Not gonna lie, I’m a bit jealous. I, too, have many pins on DIY Roman Shades and even tried making one from old blinds. Epic fail. Not sure what I did wrong. Yours are beautiful. May just have to give it another go.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      March 22, 2018 at 8:30 am

      Thanks Kelli! Admittedly, I was so nervous about messing it up, I could probably do better next time, but I do love the look of this one and it operates perfectly fine!

      Reply
  9. Deborah says

    March 21, 2018 at 10:27 pm

    Those turned out so great.

    Reply
  10. Kristie Cook says

    March 22, 2018 at 9:21 pm

    This is something I have pinned as well! I bought a whole roll of material for $3 at a yard sale that will be perfect for this. Your fabric choice is wonderful!

    Reply
  11. Erlene says

    March 24, 2018 at 3:42 pm

    I’ve done this project for our bathroom before too. I was scared that it wouldn’t turn out, but it did and was easier than it looks. Although, I like yours better because your fabric is gorgeous and looks like a heavier weight than mine was.

    Reply
  12. Debrashoppeno5 says

    March 24, 2018 at 7:51 pm

    The shade looks fabulous. I love the material you chose. The tutorial is great and easy to follow. I want to redo the den and something like this may work out.

    Reply
  13. Shirley Wood says

    March 25, 2018 at 7:20 am

    I love the fabric you selected and how nice that it was the perfect fit with finished edges. I too have gotten caught up in a project and forgot to snap pictures. You have plenty to understand the process though.

    Reply
  14. Pili says

    March 26, 2018 at 8:07 pm

    I love roman shades and your tutorial seems easy to follow. Pinned!

    Reply
  15. Michelle from Weekend Craft says

    April 15, 2018 at 9:48 am

    Maureen these came out fantastic!

    Reply

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Red Cottage Chronicles

Oh, hi there!

Well, hello! I am Maureen, and welcome to our little Red Cottage. Married to my high school sweetheart, I am a passionate baker, accidental DIY'er and love all things home! Read More…

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