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Bunds are the main alternative to curtains and can be made from a variety of different fabrics. Tiy to balance decorative and functional requirements, and assess to what extent a blind will need to block light or provide privacy.
Styles of Blind: Blinds vary in shape and size as much as any other kind of window treatment and may be left plain or decorated extravagantly, depending on your own preferences and practical requirements. These factors affect both the material you choose for your blind and the hanging mechanism you will need.
Roller: Roller blinds are the most functional and require least material.
Gathered: Gathered blinds use more fabric and suit the ail opulent atmosphere.
Roman: Roman blinds consist of subtle, gently folded layers of material.
Venetian: Venetian or slatted blinds can be plastic, metal, or wooden.
Measuring
Techniques for measuring for blinds depend upon whether you prefer a flat blind or one that consists of folds of fabric. The surface area will be determined by whether the blind will hang inside or outside a window recess as well as by the size of the window itself.
Measuring for Blinds in fitting attachments decide on the position of a blind, and fit the pole or track before you take the measurements for material. Your calculations will then be more accurate.
Recessed Windows
Overestimating Err on the side of generosity when calculating amounts of material. It is better to need to trim than a fresh start because you do not have enough material.
Measuring a recess for a roller blind outside a recess, measure the width including an 11/i-in (3-cm) overlap onto the walls, and the length to below the sill. Add 2 in (5 cm), for attaching the fabric to a dowel. For a blind inside a recess, allow for brackets in the width measurement. Calculate length to above the sill.
Gathered Blinds & Calculating
• Width Tape the end of a long length of string to one corner at the top of a window frame. Take the string along the frame to the other corner, forming a number of scallop shapes. Measure the length of string to give you the width of the blind including ruched folds. Add an extra 8 in (20 cm) for side turnings.
• Measuring length: Add 12 in (30 cm) to the basic height measurement to allow for the depth of the scalloped edge when the blind is down.
• Counting scallops bear in mind that an odd number of scallops creates a more balanced look than an even number.
Making and Fitting Blinds
Choosing Fabrics
Assessing suitability: For flouncy blinds with gathers, choose lightweight materials such as moiré or soft cotton, which will ruche well. Heavier fabrics will not gather well.
Squaring Corners
Making angles :To ensure the smooth running of a roller blind, cut precise, 90-degree angled corners. Use a large set square and tailor’s chalk to draw accurate guidelines.
Finishing Edges
Preventing fraying: Use a stiffened.fabric for roller blinds. This can be cut to an exact size and will not fray. Stabilize lightweight fabric edges with a zigzag stitch.
Attaching Material
To make a casing for a wooden dowel at the bottom of a blind without sewing, iron in some fusible web. Secure the material firmly to the roller at the top of the blind using a staple gun.
Attaching Simply
Avoiding a roller system
A mechanical roller system is not essential to pull a blind. Attach a dowel at each end of a blind and a hook in the wall at each end at the top. Rest the lower dowel over the hooks to let light in.
Reviving Blinds
• Spraying Paint old: Venetian blinds to give them a new lease of life. Wash them thoroughly, allow to dry, then spray with an aerosol paint.
• Stenciling: Transform a plain blind by stenciling it with fabric paints. Make your own stencil, picking out a design from fabrics or other: decorations within the room.
• Dyeing: If a blind remains in good condition but has become discolored by light, for example, use a cold-water dye to transform the look of it completely. Choose a color to match or tone in with other decorations within the room.
Improvising Your Own Shutter Blinds
1. Cut copper pipes down to the required size using a hacksaw. Use right-angled bends to fit the pipes together to make a frame. Use metal bonding adhesive to make sure that the joints are secure.
2. Hold the material in place in the center of the frame using a tabbed heading. Secure the tabs with touch-and-close tape. This is ideal since the material can be removed easily and cleaned as required.
3. Use standard pipe brackets as hinges. Attach two brackets on each side of the frame, which will hold the shutters secure but also allow enough movement for them to be opened and closed.
