Make a blind

CUTTING MEASUREMENTS How you measure your window for a blind is determined by whether the blind is to be fixed inside or outside the window recess. A blind inside the recess is usually fixed to the top of the window frame, or to the top of the recess. When measuring up for one fixed outside the recess, first decide where the blind will be hung from. This will be the starting point for the drop measurement. The width is determined by adding 10cm to the total window width.

INSIDE THE WINDOW RECESS Measure the width of the recess at three points. Subtract 1cm from the smallest measurement to get the finished width. This ensures that the blind has room to move up and down. For the drop, measure from the inside fixing point to the windowsill.

OUTSIDE THE WINDOW RECESS For the width, measure the width of the recess and add 10cm to give a 5cm overlap on each side. This prevents light coming in at the sides of the lowered blind. For the drop, measure from the fixing point to just below the windowsill.

Measure your window. Add a 1.5cm seam allowance to either side. Add 6.5cm to the overall drop for a 5cm turnover at the top and a 1.5cm seam allowance.

1 Cut the main fabric, lining, and interlining to the required size using the Cutting Measurements guide above. Check that any pattern in the fabric is centred on each piece and ensure that all are exactly the same size and are cut at right angles. Use a set square if necessary.

2 To assemble, lay the interlining on a table. Place the main fabric right side up on top followed by the lining, right side down. Make sure all three are aligned, then pin together along both vertical sides.

3 Using a 1.5cm seam allowance, stitch both sides together from top to bottom, back stitching at the start and finish of each. Press the seams open, then trim the seam allowance of just the interlining to 5mm.

4 Pin together the bottom edge, then stitch, using a 1.5cm seam allowance. Trim the corners to reduce bulk, being careful to avoid the stitches. Turn to the right side. Place right side down and press along the stitched edges, rolling the lining 2mm away from the main fabric. Turn right side up and smooth out the layers, from top to bottom.

5 Place the blind right side down again. Measure the desired length/drop at various points from the bottom edge, marking the fabric at intervals along the width with a pencil or tailor’s chalk. Fold over the top, lining to lining, along the marks. Press to form a crease. This fold will be for attaching the hook and loop tape.

6 To determine the length of the ribbon ties, multiply the length of the blind by two and cut two pieces of ribbon to this measurement. Fold each in half and place a pin on the fold. Position each on the fold at the top of the blind, with half the ribbon on the lining side and half on the main fabric, at an equal distance from each edge of the blind. Pin in place.

7 With the front of the blind face up, open out the top fold and the ties. Remove the pins and lay a strip of hook and loop tape along the fold. Pin in place, also pinning through the ribbon. Stitch along each of the tape’s two long edges, starting each seam from the same edge of the blind. Catch the ties in the seam as you go and back stitch at the start and finish.

8 Re-fold the top fold along the tape, then tuck the raw edge under by 1.5cm. Pin then slipstitch in place. Use a staple gun to attach the hooked side of the hook and loop strip to a wooden batten the width of the blind. Attach this to the wall and hang your blind using the tape. Roll up the bottom edge and tie with the ribbons.