How to make roller blinds

With all their fiddly-looking fixings and mechanisms, you'd be forgiven for thinking roller blinds are tricky to make, but we are on a mission to prove otherwise! We're determined to use our crafty skills wherever we can, and that includes whipping up our own window dressings (it gives us a good excuse to go fabric shopping, after all!).

We love roller blinds for their practicality and style, and there are handy kits available that contain everything you need to create your own – all you'll need to do is pick out your perfect fabric. Our comprehensive guide has every step explained, from sizing up your window to hanging your finished blind.

Roller blinds are simple to make and a practical choice for any window. They’re popular because they combine functionality with style, sitting flat against the window and rolling up completely to let in maximum light.

The sewing is minimal – just hem the bottom edge to create a neat casing. The top of the fabric is then attached to a special roller blind mechanism, which is fitted above the window.

While roller blinds are available ready-made in a wide range of colours and patterns, making your own means you can perfectly coordinate them with the rest of your room. Follow our guide to learn how to create custom roller blinds with ease.

How to fit roller blinds

Sewing your own roller blinds is just part of the job! You also need to know how to fit them. Read on to learn how to fit roller blinds perfectly, what roller blind fittings you'll need and how to use roller blind kits.

Roller blind kits

You can buy specialist roller blind kits that include everything you need to make your blind. Most kits come with a pre-adhesive-taped top roller, a sidewinder or spring mechanism, a bottom bar, and brackets.

The spring mechanism features a pull cord at the bottom centre of the blind. A gentle tug on the cord makes the blind roll up automatically, and both the cord and fittings are included in the kit.

The sidewinder mechanism, on the other hand, uses a chain and pulley system for smooth, manual operation.

Roller blind kits range from around 45cm (18in) to 240cm (95in) wide, so buy the next size up from your window width then cut it down to fit with a hacksaw.

Order your roller blind kit:

Where to fix your roller blind

You can hang your blind inside the window recess so it lies right next to the glass. This will cut out more light and insulate the room to some extent, too. To do this, measure exactly the width and drop of the area inside the window. This is usually the outer edge of the window frame, and you can attach your blind mechanism to the frame. If you want your blind to hang outside the window recess, then measure the outside of the recess and add at least 5cm (2in) all the way around, depending on the overlap you want.

Which way should you roll your roller blind?

Usually, a blind rolls so that the roller is in front of the fabric and the fabric rolls down behind it. This makes it lie flat to the window. You also have the option to make a blind that rolls the other way – this is called a reverse rolled blind. The fabric rolls over the top of the roller, so you don’t see it, and the blind sits away from the window. These are made in exactly the same way as a regular blind – the only difference is that you keep the wrong side of the fabric on top, and when you fit it you need to turn the blind around so the fabric rolls down in front of the roller.

How to fix the brackets for your roller blind

Your roller blind kit will come with a pair of fixing brackets. First, you'll need to decide whether they will be face, top or side fixed – this will depend on where your blind is going to be hung and what from. Fix them in place using suitable screws, depending on whether you are fixing them in plaster or wood. The instructions that come with your blind kit will explain how to fix the brackets and also how to cut the mechanism and bottom bar to fit within the brackets.

Fabric stiffeners

You can buy fabric stiffener as either a spray or a solution, and it will stiffen most absorbent fabrics permanently. The bottle will tell you how much fabric it will cover; follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to treat your fabric. It’s not recommended for use on synthetic or Scotchgard-coated fabric, but most cotton fabrics will work well. Peg up your fabric on a washing line while starching it so it doesn't crease.

Read on to learn how to make roller blinds for your home.

If you're looking for more DIY sewing inspiration for your home, learn how to make roman blinds, make your own cushion cover, how to make a lampshade, or have a go at making denim plant pot covers.

You will need:

Fabric
Roller blind kit
Fabric stiffener
Basic sewing kit

Step 1

Measure the exact drop of your finished blind, then add 30cm (12in) to this; this includes a 5cm (2in) allowance for the hem and 25cm (10in) to be wound onto the roller. For the width, you need to add 10cm (4in) to each side of the finished width, as the fabric often shrinks when the stiffening spray or solution is added. Stiffen the fabric following the manufacturer's instructions – this keeps it flat and also helps to stop the edges from fraying, as it isn’t hemmed. Allow the fabric to dry and press well. Cut the fabric to the finished length plus 30cm (12in) and the exact width, using a set square.

Step 2

Lay your cut fabric on a flat surface, wrong side (WS) up. Turn the bottom edge up by 5cm (2in) and stitch down close to the raw edge. This doesn’t need a double hem, as the stiffening solution will stop it from fraying, and you need to keep the fabric bulk to a minimum so it rolls around the top roller. Cut the bottom bar supplied in your kit 2cm (¾in) shorter than the width of the blind and slide it into the casing. If you have made a spring mechanism blind, thread the cord through the knot holder, then thread the other end through the acorn and knot. Now, screw the knot holder through the fabric to the back of the bottom bar.

Step 3

Lay the hemmed blind on a flat surface and mark a line across the width, 1.5cm (⁵⁄₈in) down from the top edge. If the blind is to roll down from behind the roller, mark this line on the right side (RS) of the fabric. If you’re making a reverse rolled blind, mark the line on the WS of the fabric. Lay the roller on a flat surface. Remove the protective strip from the adhesive tape that usually comes already stuck to your roller, then press the top edge of the fabric onto the roller. Make sure the top edge of the tape is aligned exactly along the marked line. If your roller doesn’t come with tape attached, then simply use double-sided tape for this.

Step 4

Roll up the blind by hand, slot it into the brackets you fixed to the window earlier and pull the blind down until you get some resistance. Now slowly release the blind until it locks. Take the blind from the brackets and roll the fabric back onto the roller by hand. Place it back in the brackets, repeating the process until the tension is sufficient to allow the blind to rise smoothly to the top. Make sure you don’t add too much tension to the blind, as it won’t rise properly. If you do, though, just unroll it and start again. For sidewinder mechanisms, you simply pull the chain to raise and lower the blind.

Now you know how to make roller blinds! Use our guide to make roller blinds that coordinate perfectly with your decor.

Looking for more home décor projects? Learn how to make a duvet cover, how to make roman blinds for your home, how to make curtains or how to make a doorstop.

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