How to Build a Rolling Window Shade
Windows can be made from different materials and have different shapes, but what finishes a look of a window and gives it a special designer touch are the shades. Rolling window shades or blinds are coverings made either from thin slats of various materials or from a single piece of fabric. These types of shades are as practical and functional as they are appealing and attractive. Besides offering privacy and light-filtering qualities, they also complement both the interior and exterior of a house.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Chalk and ruler
- Fabric
- Iron-on fabric lining
- Steam iron
- Hot glue
- Roller mechanism
Instructions
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1
Measure your window to see how much fabric you will need and how wide the roller mechanism will need to be. Use these dimensions to buy the exact amount of fabric and the right length of the roller.
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2
Cut the fabric you chose 2 inches wider and 8 to 10 inches longer than the dimensions of your window. Use sharp scissors to cut the fabric, and make sure to be very precise. Cut the fabric in a straight line, and use a chalk line as a guide if needed.
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3
Attach contact paper, also known as iron-on lining, to the back side of the fabric. First cut the lining so it is 1 inch smaller than the fabric. Then place it on the back side of the fabric and iron it, removing wrinkles and air bubbles as you go. Make sure that both the lining and the fabric are absolutely smooth. The bonding side of the lining is always more shiny. Make sure to turn that side to the back of the fabric prior to ironing.
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4
Place the fabric on a flat surface with the back side up and make a 1- to 1-½-inch fold at the bottom. Finish the fold by stitching it close to the raw edge.
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5
Put the dowel into the fold at the bottom of the fabric and hot-glue the hem to close the fold. Note that the dowel needs to be about ½-inch shorter than the width of the fabric, so make sure to cut it to size before sliding it in the fold.
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6
Attach the roller to the top part of the fabric using hot glue or the adhesive strip already included in the kit. Remove the strip from the adhesive tape on the top part of the roller shade. Next, glue and press the roller to the fabric.
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7
Attach the finished roller shade to the hardware of your window. Usually it is enough to slot the roller into the shade brackets on both sides of the window. Make sure the pulley cord is on the right side of the shade.
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8
Test your new roller shades by opening and closing them with the pulley cord. Adjust the shade if needed by tightening the fabric and pulling the dowel into an absolutely horizontal position.
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Tips & Warnings
Try using rice paper instead of fabric when making roller shades. The process of building is basically the same for both materials. Just make sure to avoid getting the rice paper shades wet, since they are very delicate.
Use caution when working with sharp tools such as scissors and needles.
