Hi friends. I went down to Elk Grove this weekend to build roman blinds for the kitchen and dining nook in my friend's new home. I assumed we'd do inside mounts, as that's what I've always done, but when I got there and saw there were existing 2" wood slat blinds I realized--I had to figure out how to do an outside mount! Ugh. When I think of all the people who have written to me over the years asking if I knew how to do that. And I never thought I could; til I was faced with the challenge, that is. Now I'm embarrassed at how simple it was! Actually, a lot simpler than inside mount, which you have to be very exact with on measurements.
A couple of 'oopsies' happened along the way that ended up being improvements. For instance, I guesstimated about 6" too short when we purchased the striped fabric, which then forced me to add that floral border (was the long running strip of leftover from what she'd covered the bench seat with.)
And of course once I added a border I thought I should scallop it, and cover the seam with a little gimp trim (which is where I ran the seam through both front and lining for the weight bar to sit on). It really does look better than a plain stripe would have, I think.
Another dilemma I had to solve was what to use in place of brass rings on the back, as I couldn't find them ANYWHERE. I think you can order them online but JoAnn's seems to have gone back to plastic and they just won't last long in sunlight. So I used a box of 60 silver split key rings (1") that JoAnn's had on sale for $3. They all bunch together when drawn so just aren't really that noticeable from the street anyway.
So are you ready for the big idea for how to mount them on the wall?
L-brackets! Yep, that's all there is to it. Screw in an L-bracket right next to each eye screw and then screw through the other side into the wall, using a wall anchor if necessary. Wow. I never thought it would be a good idea because one would be able to see through the side space from outside at night, but if you make it a couple inches wider than the window on each side then that isn't a problem. I may just do them this way from now on!
Now I must go attach this post to the original post. I can't help the people who asked in the past, but with 200-300 hits per day from people all over the world searching for "roman blind tutorial" I imagine this will help a few people in the future. :-)
bravo...I'm still scared after reading the instructions but someday this is going to help me
Posted by: nanette | February 01, 2012 at 01:36 PM
great instructions! I have a quick question - I would like to create a roman blind in a sheer, linen type fabric (so I wouldn't be lining it in the sunblock fabric). In your opinion, would a light fabric work? My concern is that the fold will not take because essentially, there will be no weight to it...Thanks!
Posted by: Sophie | February 13, 2012 at 07:55 AM
OMG! My creative juices are flowing. Thanks for this post. This is the ultimate do it yourself professional window for those sheetrock window sills. How clever of you to think to use L shaped brackets to hang these. I adore this two patterned shades, the scallops make this shade so sharp! Love it!
Posted by: June | March 01, 2012 at 06:52 AM
Was it hard to add the scallop on the bottom of the shade? I would like to add this when I try to make mine for the master bath. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Posted by: Michelle | March 03, 2012 at 02:17 PM
This looks like it will be fun I can't wait to try it. I would just like to comment on your digs about Home Depot, my husband has worked for Home Depot for 18 years. He has been late, missed out on functions he even took an cabinet door not brought at home depot and could no longer be found anywhere and rebuilt for this very old gentlemen , has personally pick up an elderly woman's microwave for her because she had no way of returning it and mowed another elderly couples lawn. I call that great customer service. My husband is a family man and I am thankful for my husbands job at the Home Depot.
Posted by: Michelle Donovan | March 07, 2012 at 06:12 AM
Thanks so much for all your helpful hints! Have you ever tried placing wooden dowels or thin metal bars at each fold line? I have seen this done on samples of custom drapery. The rod is placed between the decorator fabric and the lining & across the top of the rings? I'm not at all sure how they stay in place. Any ideas about this?
Posted by: Phyllis | March 24, 2012 at 02:22 PM