Roman Blinds

[lily]

I'm going to learn how to make these on Saturday, I'm told there is a lot of maths involved so should be fun! Having spent weeks turning the house into a building site this is part of the turn it back again process. Sounds a nice place- a hamlet near Taunton. I've always made curtains but would love to know the "proper" techniques, we shall see...

[Crocus]

A hamlet near Taunton - goodness, I'm jealous...........:);)

[Oola]

I have yet to make anything on my new (old) sewing machine. Luckily I now have bobbins that fit so I think my first project will be a very uncomplicated, easy pegbag. Good luck with the course lily, hope the maths isn't too complicated. I was always rubbish at maths, managed to scrape a C at GCSE (goodness knows how, I missed out loads of questions).

I'd love to learn how to make more of my own stuff at home, and not have to rely on some big manufaturer making it. I know it would certainly be useful to know how to make a roman blind - we have a half-glass door into the bathroom, and it doesn't have a blind that fits for it. None of the standard sizes in the shops fit the door, so it's going to have to be a home-made job. You never know lily, you might get a commission ;) !!!! :)

[lily]

It was a very enjoyable course, reasonably priced and a nice lunch included. There were only 3 of us (+ tutor) so made good progress. A second lesson has been arranged for April so we can finish off. I bought a book but didn't find it too easy to follow the instructions, so hope to be pleased with the result. My sewing machine is very old- think I bought it around 1970, it still works OK- the only disadvantage being it is quite heavy.

[Redstart]

Be thankful that it's heavy lily. My current sewing machine (shortly to be replaced) is so light that sewing heavy materials nearly pulls it off the table and it shifts about. My new one will be heavier as well as a bit more up to date.

That said, I make all my own curtains and my daughter made all her own Roman blinds.

[franbee]

I bought a Roman blind kit from John Lewis to make a blind for the bathroom, but I've not got round to it yet.

[Crocus]

Got Roman blinds in the kitchen but would like to replace them. Had it now for 7 years. Bought the material, and now I'm not quite sure whether to go for RB's again, or try something else. Thing is, I don't know the first of last thing about how to make RB's. Made a lot of my other curtains, but don't have the self confidence to tackle Roman blinds!

[Ivy]

I could recommend Katrin Cargill's Curtain bible. Easy to follow guid to making curtains and the Daily Express said about the book "..contains enough information to open your own curtain factory"

[Crocus]

Hi Ivy, only problem is, where would I find the book here in S.A.? Perhaps at one of our big bookstores in the city. I'll have a look when I get a chance. Thanks! Hubs said to take of the front part of the blinds, and use it as a template to cut the new ones. Not sure if it will work that way!

[lily]

The tricky bit is the lining at the back, that's where the battens and the rings go. I have emailed instructions from the tutor re calculating fabric etc, shall I try and send them to you?

[Ivy]

As it is an English book I thought you'd be able to get it in SA too.

[Crocus]

I'm sure it is available, it's just that I haven't come across this book. I'll have a look in our local library, or when I next go to the big shopping mall nearest to us, I'll have a look in the bookstore. There's 3 large bookstores actually in the mall, so I'll have a look.