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. :-)
Got it done and it looks great. I'm so glad it works! Thanks Jen!
Posted by: Lori | July 19, 2014 at 05:49 PM
I'm in the process of gathering and measuring to give this a try. Gulp!
~Lori
Posted by: Lori | July 08, 2014 at 05:35 PM
I have posted pics of the blinds on Facebook, if you would like to see them. My page is "Susan Angela Haigh". Once again, many thanks for your help. You will never know how much easier your advice made a daunting project.
Posted by: Susan Angela Haigh | June 28, 2013 at 02:37 AM
Hello Jen! I came across your blog on how to make roman blinds and bookmarked the page so I come and have a look anytime I needed help. I live in the UK (Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, England) in a 100 years old stone built terrace house. Instead of screwing battens to brackets to hang the blinds, my dh fixed substantial battens (1" x 1" and a quarter) to the wall directly above the architrave on the windows and fixed eyelet screws into the base of that to carry the weight, as I have made quite heavy curtains (that are lined with blackout material). I have used roman blind tape sewn across the fabric to hold fibreglass rods and made the bottom weight out of a length of thin hardwood. The blinds are held onto the batten by (very strong) Velcro tape, which is stuck onto the batten and sewn onto the blind. The large blind measures 6'7" x 6'7". The smaller blind measures 5'1" x 2'3". I don't think that I would have worked the mechanics out for my project as easily, Had I not found your blog. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR POSTING! You are a star!
Posted by: Susan Angela Haigh | June 28, 2013 at 02:33 AM
love all this info on makin blinds, easiest instructions ever. thanks
Posted by: nan penny | February 28, 2013 at 06:13 AM
The Roman blinds definitely uplift your kitchen room setting. Plus, speaking of functionality, it is very suitable, particularly the one above the sink. Raising and lowering the blinds to keep the area from dirt or grease can be done with precision and minimal effort.
Posted by: Roxie Tenner | August 14, 2012 at 09:46 AM
Thanks for such simplistic instructions - you make me realize I CAN do this :) I read your instructions for the inside mounts then saw the link for outside mounting which is what I must do due to pre-existing holes in the wall. The L-shaped brackets are a great idea. I also like Carrie Chamberlain's suggestion to use velcro as I will have to was my curtains regularly as they will be close to the cooking area.
Posted by: Judy Mitchell | July 18, 2012 at 08:34 AM
Thought you might like the idea a friend used for her blinds. Instead of all the hardware for outside blinds - attach a piece of thin wood all along top of window. Stick a length of Velcro to same length.
On the top of blind stick the opposite side of Velcro. Attach to each other. Then if you have fabric that can be washed you just peel the Velcro apart and hey presto!
Posted by: Carrie Chamberlain | June 25, 2012 at 05:20 AM
Phyllis: I was thinking of doing something similar as I was contemplating making my own reading this post. My mother in law has roman shades in her living room and they have the wooden dowels at each fold. As far as I can tell, there is a line of sewing (sorry not sure what else to call it!) at each level that the dowel rests on. So, instead of one panel sewn on just the edges, it is also sewn at several intervals up the shade. I haven't decided if I am going to try it yet, but I hope that helps!
Posted by: Kristi | June 04, 2012 at 06:18 PM
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
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
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
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
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
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