Before I show you the after, let's have one more look at the before.
First I spread the fabric out face down and rolled the shade just beyond the desired length. Then I trimmed the fabric about 1/2" wider and 1" longer than the shade. **Note the shade is actually longer than I needed so I only covered the length that would show if the shade was closed on the window.
When the time came to glue the fabric to the shade, I could not locate the fabric glue so I used a glue gun loaded with fabric glue sticks instead.
My shades have to be rolled up manually and no longer have the pull release feature that sometimes works - sometimes doesn't with roller shades. This is OK with me though because they will never be pulled down.
***Correction***
When I tried to roll the blinds up and down previously, I had not correctly installed the brackets. They do officially work. Sorry for the confusion.
Did you notice any others changes? To keep this post from being too long, I will share them tomorrow.
****Revised to say***
Read comments below. Fabric that is too heavy may not work for this project.
I'm in love!!! So pretty!
ReplyDeleteLove those Rene. I love your bay window in front of your sink. It looks like you have done something to the right of the sink like maybe removed cabinet doors since that is what the drawing looked like and beadboard backsplash added?
ReplyDeleteKim, you win the prize smarty pants :) How did you ever guess about the cabinet doors?
ReplyDeleteThey look great! Such a nice pop of color and pattern. Looks like you got the beadboard up on the other side too!
ReplyDeleteOh they look lovely..GREAT JOB !!
ReplyDeleteI love your soap dispenser I have the same one!Love the way it all turned out!
ReplyDeleteVera nice! I have done that before and loved the outcome. Definitely adds something beautiful to your space...love the color too:)
ReplyDeletethat looks beautiful! love the idea of using fabric glue sticks which i didn't even know existed!!! wow!!! i am going to try this in my half bath this summer. thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteand your elephant will head home tomorrow... i have been crazy busy getting ready for lucketts this weekend, but i have an hour tomorrow to get it done!
Fabulous Rene! The pop of color was just the thing and I can't wait to see the rest of the kitchen. I am going to suggest this roller shade idea to a client, easy peasy!
ReplyDeleteCathy
Rene, you are going to laugh at me. I thought you specially ordered the shades. I had no idea you were just gluing fabric onto shades. I'm such a goof. lol. How easy is that? I was thinking a nice fabric shade would look great in my son's room since he keeps breaking the blinds and he needs his room dark all the time due to video games. You are a my biggest inspiration. Now to find the time to do things between school and the kids.
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen with the new curtains look fab!
Jessica
Looks wonderful Rena! What a great job you've done. Nicolex PS I LOVE your kitchen rug.
ReplyDeleteEasy Peasy and they look FAB too. Great change.
ReplyDeleteGreat color for the room. Really add a nice pop. Love that rug too.
ReplyDeleteRene - I may need to copy you, soon!
ReplyDelete-Trish
Those look fatastic! I would totally steal that idea if I could get them to roll up more easily. Great job!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fantastic look. I LOVE the fabric. I think this will be going in my playbook of window treatments for sure.
ReplyDeleteyour shades look awesome! that is just the perfect fabric choice, too!
ReplyDeleteremember in the highlights magazines they would give you two pictures and you had to find things that had changed? well I didn't want to wait until tomorrow to see what else you'd done so... (1) you hung a new dish towel (2) you added the beadboard to the right side! (3) you moved the handsoap
haha
Those are so pretty! Love the color! Can I copy??
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Those look so gorgeous Rene! That fabric was the perfect choice and everything is beautiful! :-)
ReplyDeleteVanessa
Gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThey look beautiful! Love the pop of color it gives your kitchen windows. And what a great way to spruce up some roller shades. It's already got me thinking of doing the same thing to the ones in our bedroom, so thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love these Rene. The fabric you chose is beautiful. Thank you for sharing the tutorial, they look easy enough. I think I can tackle them. I need to add a punch of color to my kitchen windows too.
ReplyDeleteSo cute!! What a great idea:)
ReplyDeleteI'm in love, this is so pretty!!!!!
ReplyDeleteXO
Kristin
HI Rene, this turned out great! I would be so happy too...great project that was successful! Plenty of us have had the unsuccessful...hahahah....
ReplyDeleteanyhoo...
blessings,
Debbie
They look beautiful Rene! I love the color that they add there too. What a fun and inexpensive project. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
XO
hi rene! playing catch up on your blog. these shades turned out so fresh & pretty. what a sweet fabric!! i also love your new pillow fabrics for the living room!!! i am all over green and blue lately so those are right up my alley. aren't you loving pinterest? i think it might replace a little of my blogging. so easy & addictive!! Hope you are well!!
ReplyDeletexo,
Tessa
Love the fabric you decided to go with - it's so fun and fresh for summer! And, easy enough to change them out seasonally :) Can't wait to see it with the table!
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference Rene! I love them. I'm doing a tutorial on my Roman blinds next week! Hope they turn out as great as yours!!
ReplyDeleteLori
www.lorimayinteriors.com/blog
They look great...thanks for sharing how you did it-- I have been thinking about doing something like this! Take care, Caroline
ReplyDeleteThat is cute Rene! However, I'm sorta surprised that the shades aren't functional. Seems like a good bit of waste on fabric/money if they can't go up/down. Wouldn't a simple faux roman blind or other valance done the trick and used less fabric/money?
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean that
ReplyDeleteonce you've added
the fabric, the shade
can only be stationery?
I'd like to do this
in my daughter's room,
but room darkening shades
that CAN be pulled down
are a must. Love how
simple this was and
crossing my fingers
that it can be pulled
up and down....
xx Suzanne
Wendy, it's a wash. My total cost was less than $30 and I am happy with the result. I considered faux roman shades, but decided to go this route. Valances were never a consideration. It was much easier and quicker than the faux roman shades I have made in the past.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, I have made the correction that the shades do roll up & down. I honestly had not tried to roll them up & down since moving the brackets. I suppose the location of the brackets is what prevented this before. Sorry for the confusion. In my previous post, http://cottageandvine.blogspot.com/2011/05/roller-shades-some-lovely-funny.html two other bloggers did this same project and the links are there if anyone would like to contact them.
Love, Love, Love! I couldn't get over how easy this project was when I did it in my kitchen either!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
Emily Hewett
A Well Dressed Home
awelldressedhome.com/blog
These are beautiful, Rene and I think that was the perfect choice of fabric. It really suits your kitchen! You did a fabulous job. What a gorgeousl view you have for washing dishes! I love all of the greenery and aren't bay windows wonderful for bringing the outdoors in?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! What a difference window coverings make in a room, right?!
ReplyDeleteThey are perfect and so sunny! Plus, you gotta appreciate a great looking project done on the cheap. I can't wait to see those cabinets without the doors!
ReplyDeleteCamille
What is the fabric called? I love it!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty Rene, love that pop of pattern and color! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteKim:)
Anonymous, I don't know the name of the fabric, but I found it at Joann's in the apparel fabrics area. It is a new linen. Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteOMG, how much do you love these in your house! They make a huge difference. The color is amazing. Oh, and how easy were they! Totally doing this at some point, somewhere in my house. And hey, I think the hot glue gun with fabric glue sticks is even better than the fabric glue bottle. May have to do that from now on too. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so great!!!Thank you so much. This is a must do.
ReplyDeleteThey are so classy looking, I love the change. hugs ~lynne~
ReplyDeleteRene - These look fantastic. Who would have thought roller blinds...Fabulous fabric too. Love this idea. Have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
ReplyDeleteUnder the Table and Dreaming
Very smart. I'd never have the nerve to do something like that and probably get too much glue on there and make a mess. But your shades look perfect! Jane
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! The shades look lovely and very nice pattern of the fabric you used. Well done!
ReplyDeletevisiting from BNOP. Very nice! I was thinking of making roman shades but this is so much faster and easier. Thanks for the tutorial.
ReplyDeletelove.....i think i may see a new project in my future.....
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to do this to the shades in my son's room. You've officially given me the motivation. Love them!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Our new house has roller blinds in the kitchen already and I was just wondering if this would work. Now I know what my JoAnns gift card will be used on!
ReplyDeleteI found a link to this post on homepodge and just wanted to thank you for sharing... it's such a simple project and your roller shades are so cute! I will be sharing this post with my sister. She will LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteLove these!
ReplyDeleteI have a window in my bathroom that I wanted to try this with. So glad I found out it works! Yay! : ) They're so pretty!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, and even better outcome!
ReplyDeleteIve been thinking of doing something like this in our bedroom, only the opposite way. It gets really really hot in there during summer, so i thought id sew a lightcoloured, heavy fabric to the outside of our black sunblocking roller shades, to reflect the sun but still make it dark in the room. Using glue is probably a better idea than sewing, but do you have any hints whether my idea might work at all, or will it just be too thick with two layers?
thank you, i just found a new great blog to follow!
CecilB, your idea will most likely work. Here is another idea that I would like to try: http://houseandhome.com/tv/segment/diy-wallpaper-blind
ReplyDeleteWallpaper might be thinner than fabric. Just a thought. I hope this helps.
-Rene
Wow thats fast answering :) thank you very much! Im gonna start look around for stuff, got alot more ideas now.
ReplyDeletei absolutely love this!!! im planning on trying this next weekend. do you think using spray adhesive to the face of the blinds would work?
ReplyDeleteJust came across this and thinks it's an awesome idea. All of our bedrooms have room darking rollers, however ours are all custom sizes not cheap, my question was, that if you ever wanted to replace it you'd have to replace the whole roller again right? I'm just wondering if we ever switch bedding or kids' rooms that we'd have to spend money again on the whole thing and 2 of my rooms have 3 each. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteVelcro?
DeleteJacey, my first thought is that you would have to replace the whole shade if you wanted to change the fabric. However, it might be possible that you could use an adhesive that would peel and release? I would definitely test an area before diving in. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI just followed your tutorial for my kitchen window and it looks amazing. Problem is the fabric made the shade too heavy to roll up. It's okay because I didn't really want to pull them down anyways, wanted more of a valance look. When I do the other windows in the house I will be sure to buy the heavy duty shade so the spring is stronger. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI made these and they look great! But yes, the fabric is too heavy and now the shade doesn't roll up as it should.
ReplyDeleteLove these! Just wanted to let you know I featured these on my blog today, in an article about the many different types and techniques of "no-sew" window treatments.
ReplyDelete-Erin
diyonthecheap.blogspot.com
Love them. I've seen this done before.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, yes, as I mentioned before in this post - http://cottageandvine.blogspot.com/2011/05/roller-shades-some-lovely-funny.html - there are many great roller shade projects out there :)
ReplyDeleteRené
Greetings! Just wanted to say I found this tutorial on Pinterest and I loved it. I actually shared your tutorial on my website at http://anexerciseinfrugality.com/?p=7#more-7. The website focuses on all things frugal, and I have a daily feature called the Frugal Pin of the Day, which is where your tutorial was shared. I added your button to my blogroll as well because I enjoy sharing fun frugal DIY sites with my readers. Thanks for the tutorial and keep up the awesome work!
ReplyDeleteWhere do you get fabric glue sticks? Thanks Teresa
ReplyDeleteTeresa, the glue sticks came from Joann's. Others have covered the shades using fabric glue or spray adhesive. I hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteRené
Spectacular idea Rene! Can't wait to give it a whirl. You glued the fabric over the entire shade, not just the edges? Thanks. Kelly
ReplyDeleteI would love to do this in my kitchen. what about the backside of the shades? Did you cover both sides with fabric?
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you can see what the back side looks like in the second from the last image. I normally leave window treatments white on the back side.
ReplyDeleteHi Rene - where did you get your rug? I love it!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS! I've been looking for an easy and much more decorative than mini blinds... I looked into roman shades
ReplyDeletebut they seemed like they would be overly costly by the time I was finished and I do not like the way they mount up...
This offers an better alternative, I saw javascript:void(0)where you did not take the fabric all the way to the top did you glue the seam
there (top front) as well or did u just do the bottom and 2 sides?
Thanks Jennifer. To the best of my memory, I did not glue the seam across, only the sides and bottom. Good luck with your project!
ReplyDeleteRené
Great idea and so inexpensive. I did something similar but what I used was a spray fabric adhesive. It adheres the whole fabric to the shade so you don't get bumps and ripples. I sprayed the fabric and then positioned the shade over the fabric,then smoothed it as I pressed it down. After the fabric was adhered to the front, I folded the edges. As a fun extra touch, I glued on decorator trim with tassels on the bottom edge! Super cute.
ReplyDeleteThanks Martha! Yes, I shared a link to this same technique in another post. Glad your project was a success!
DeleteRené
I've been wanting to start this project for a couple months now but have been too nervous to start. I'm worried that the fabric won't sit nice and flat and that there will be wrinkles and ripples. In your opinion, what will give me better results, spray adhesive on the whole front of the shade or just gluing the edges to the back as seen here?
ReplyDeleteSpray adhesive might give you a smoother finished product, but I have not tried it. Maybe you could test both and see which you prefer?
DeleteHey Rene,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to try this project, but cant find roller shades the right size. You said you had yours cut, how? Also where did you find your cute fabric?
Thanks,
Sarah C.
Sarah, If I recall correctly, I had then cut at Lowes. The fabric came from Joanns. Hope this helps.
DeleteRené
Thanks...Where in Lowes did you take them to get cut?
DeleteThe blind department - not sure if they still offer this service or not.
DeleteThose are wonderful window shades I'll make something like that for my home too.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you shared this. I have several of these I have saved that were taken off the windows.. Now I can redo them! Awesome thanks so much
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing. I have been looking for a cheap fix for over my kitchen window. I found a few projects but this is the simplist fix I have come across. Thank you for sharing. I will be doing this next weekend and posting my results on my blog (http://justinawho.blogspot.com/) and will link your blog to it. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love the shades! I also love the blue bottles- where did you find them?
ReplyDeleteThanks you Donna! Are you referring to the blue ball jars? They came from my grandmother, but you can find them in many vintage stores or on etsy. Good luck!
DeleteI have saved this tutorial, and looked at it over and over again I love it so much :) I'd like to use my left over couch fabric to tie in the colors from one end of the house to the other. I wish to use the lighter weight upholstery fabric for some shades that would cover just the bottom portion of my windows.I would hang the shades halfway down my window so I could have privacy on the bottom half of the window but let light in through the top half of the window. My question is, if my intention is to keep the shades drawn could the upholstery fabric work?
ReplyDeleteCould you share what your flooring is? (Hardwood? Laminate? Engineered Hardwood?) I like the look of it a lot, and we're replacing flooring soon. In research mode. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennie. The flooring is heart pine finished after installation. Hope this helps.
DeleteI should have heeded the advice to buy lightweight fabric. But, yours looked like decorator fabric, so that's what I bought. Shade won't stay up--just unrolls with the weight of it.
ReplyDeleteAnybody know if you can interchange the brackets for the clutch type (that have the pull chain for rolling up?)
Not sure how to salvage my project! :(
I've been working on this project for the past two nights and found this article incredibly helpful. I'm worried that the fabric won't sit nice and flat and that there will be wrinkles and ripples. In your opinion, what will give me better results, spray adhesive on the whole front of the shade or just gluing the edges to the back as seen here?
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I only have experience with gluing the edges. You might check with the links listed in the first post to see what their results were. Link is at beginning for this post. Hope this helps.
DeleteRneé
Rene- What a great project. The fabric you chose is so pretty, too!
ReplyDeleteLoretta
They look great..love the fabric..
ReplyDeleteHi Rene, I was just wondering how these have held up after 2 years- Are they still functional and just as beautiful? I want to make these for my kitchen windows and I am wondering if it still holds up after a few years. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Danni. They held up fine for the time they were in my kitchen windows (less than a year). I quickly tired of the pattern and took them down. Hope this helps.
DeleteSuch a great idea! Sorry if I missed in earlier comments/answers, but how does it look from the outside?
ReplyDeleteJust completed my version of these shades....soooo cute! I am loving them.
ReplyDeleteI really like the shades! I have the same bay window in my kitchen. I have a question, is it all painted? Mine was an add on and is currently unfinished. What can I do to the sill where your plant is sitting? There is a little water damage I can sand out but I don't know what else to do.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to say without first seeing the area, but sounds like it could benefit from a good coat of primer and paint?
DeleteI love love this idea! Our window, however, is 70" wide. I wonder if I could find a roller shade wide enough, and whether it would work as well with such a large piece of fabric. My other hope is to install brackets at two heights, so I can move it from half-height to full height according to our privacy needs (sort of like a top-down shade). But I would need to modify the brackets such that moving the shade from the upper to lower rungs would be easy. Perhaps put nice looking hooks for a rod at both heights, and then somehow alter the ends of the roller shade to rest in the hooks easily...some sort of clean-looking plug capping each end that protrudes enough to rest in the hooks? Have you seen something like this ever?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your fabulous ideas!
Love this! Just another one of those projects I've seen and loved. This is the best looking ones I've seen though and the tutorial was great! I'm definitely going to be doing this for my bathroom!
ReplyDeleteLeelee @ paperbagstyling
Hi, I would love to try this project for my craftroom. I have a roller blind, but the hardware does not allow me to use the blind in reverse - it falls out of the hardware. What did you use for the brackets to hold your blind up when you turned it around? Thank you, Carol
ReplyDeleteHi Carol. I used the brackets that came with the blinds. Not exactly sure how it worked since it was so long ago and I have since removed the blinds. Hope this helps.
DeleteI have pleated paper shades and would love for some type of update on it with fabric. Do you have ideas for this type of shade?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. :)
ReplyDeleteI am searching for a green fabric with a gardenish feel/motive. Most greens I found where chevron, or had more than two colors, making them too busy for my project. By anychance do you know the name and maker of your print?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, gorgeous window! Congratulations!
Maria
This is so chic! Love it!
ReplyDeletethey look great ..question tho... do you put glue on the fabric in the body of the shade too or just the edges?
ReplyDeleteThey are gorgeous!!! I have a question tho... do you put glue in the body of the sahde or just the edges?
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to find this tutorial. Just one question--did you open the shade all the way before you affixed the material to it? Confused as to how long the material should be. Thanks for your help.
ReplyDelete