How to Make Roller Shades with Blackout Fabric for Windows! - Thrift Diving

-These DIY custom roller shades with blackout fabric cost me about $33 each to make using bright floral fabric with blackout fabric as the lining.

//MATERIALS// (may include affiliate links)

-Sewing machine (optional)
-Sewing thread (optional)
-Iron (optional)
-Tape measure
-Scissors or rotary cutter
-Ruler or yard stick

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MAILING ADDRESS:

Serena Appiah
P.O. Box 463
Spencerville, MD 20858

[grannyjann]

My sister just sprayed the vinyl with adhesive and applied the fabric directly to it. Worked beautifully for years.

[EllieDreamsDownUnder]

I have spent a lifetime working 6-7 days a week and just recently I leaped into full time YTing. Suddenly I have the weekends I've never had to create beautiful things. As soon as I started watching your video I knew I'd subscribe. Love love your blinds and I'm planning to give them a shot here at home. I also love the concept of your channel, the thrifty and imaginative ideas you turn into reality. Thanks ☺️

[Tootsie]

Your SheShed would literally become my second home. The florals give it the perfect pop.

[bellaluce]

*PRO TIP from custom blind companies:* Measure width of window enclosure at top, middle, and bottom, and use NARROWEST measurement to ensure a good fit. Buildings shift and settle, so what fits one part of a window may be too wide for another section. Love how cheerful these look! 😃

[antiquesrestoration]

Wow...this video was right on time. My neighbors cut down a tree that used to shade my kitchen window. Now, I need to deal with all the direct sunlight and heat that are coming in now. A roller shade sounds perfect. Of course, you made it look easy and I'm encouraged.

[TheNjuanarena]

I’m going to try this with a shower curtain for the fabric! So much cheaper and sooo many options.

[margiemudge]

When the spray adhesive warms up from the sun, your fabric will bubble all over the place. I didn't realize this when I made mine three years ago. They still look great from the inside of the house but from the patio, they look pretty sad. Love your fabric! I hope you are loving your she shed!

[heidibee]

I love the patterned fabric. It would brighten up the dullest day. Very nice.

[curtainsup]

these came out good -better than I would have thought. I have made them using professional backing and glue which wasn't cheap...I pesonally would add a simple short valance to cover the roll.

[MsShanarun]

I bet the hardest part was choosing the fabric. It is perfect!
We have a skylight in our front entry, that I use 2 tension rods and a sheer white fabric.That stays all year come up because I don't feel like getting a ladder out to take it off in the Winter. Our skylights in the kitchen, have a manual slide open and close which we reach with a long rod. And we have some very very high shades on the 2nd "story" of a vaulted ceiling. Those use a battery. However about once a year, we have to get out a super tall ladder to recharge the batteries. That part is a drag. But I guess worth it! Perfect results, thanks for sharing all of your tips!

[LChalifoux]

Wow - excellent tutorial! I love that you included all the details you discovered the hard way - "mistakes" aren't a bad thing, they're how we learn! Even though I've been a quilter and home sewer for about 20 years, I picked up a couple of great tips I hadn't come across before. Using your cutting table as a square edge: we're so used to cutting mats, quilting rulers and rotary cutters that I just never thought of that. Ditto using the edge of the table with the slider on your seam ruler to make easier to fold over your fabric. I finally feel I'm ready to tackle this project for my bedroom windows. Liked and subscribed! 👍

One important safety caution: spray adhesive works great, but it's very toxic, flammable, and can explode in high temperatures. (!) Just a reminder, everyone: Before you use *any* chemical product (even commonly used products that are supposedly "safe"), always carefully read and follow the manufacturer's instructions for use, protective gear, first aid, storage, and disposal. A safe maker lives to make another day! 😎

[dreamdesign]

Fantastic turtorial thank you for sharing. I would have just used the vinyl that came with the roller as the black out fabric as it's already cut to the correct size except for the bottom you would have to cut to adjust size in length depending on length you need and your not wasting the vinyl. Just a thought for others wanting to make one! Excellent easy to follow!! Sweet She Shed!!

[marilynkozlow]

The shades are adorable. The perfect pop of color 🥰

[T]

That is a BEAUTIFUL facbric! You always have such good ideas to elevate a space in a functional way. Well done!

[t_sname]

Well done project, thank you! Here's a tip: Remove the original fabric from the roller only as a last step. Roll it out all the way and used it as a guide to get the new fabric square to the roller. Then, after new fabric is taped to roller, peel old fabric off roller. Alternatively, align and sew new fabric to old fabric along and close to the roller. Then cut old fabric portion away. This saves the step of aligning and taping new fabric to the roller.

[moneymakingmikeg.]

if you walk into the shop & are NOT instantly cheered up with those shades then you gotz to go home!!! Had a challenging few weeks Serena, your video cheered me up Homie. The shades fit your personality 100%. Hoping all is well, Dirty Jersey out!!!

[ssoozee]

This is exactly what I needed! I’m redoing my kitchen curtains and other assorted windows in my home. AND my daughter is moving into a new place, and I’m going to decorate her new place with all sorts of fun stuff while she’s on vacation. You’re my new favorite! 💖💖💖

[mysevinsky]

I have had this EXACT same idea in my mind for the past two years and have been wanting to make.... I kept putting it off because I thought I was being silly and it wouldn't work, but I am SOOOO happy to see that someone else also made it and it WORKS! Thank you for making this video!!!! I have kids and pets and can't stand the broken slats of the regular blinds so I have been wanting roller blinds but didn't want them to look so plain!!! You did a fabulous job!

[woodstover]

I think I would have rolled them up the other way so I didn't see the white at the top. As for your skylights, the best way to keep the heat out is to cover them from the outside with something like a sun-sail material. That keeps the heat outside of the room. Great video, I'm wanting to try this for myself! Beautiful material!

[mlwashington]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THE BLINDS!!! Yes, the spray adhesive is very handy!!! Martha