Blinds on windows made of fabric

Blinds - this is one of the types of curtains, consisting of individual lamellas, which can be placed horizontally or vertically. They are made of different materials - it can be wood, plastic, metal and various fabrics. Blinds consisting of lamellas, have two systems of manual control - "cord-stick" and a chain. The first system is considered to be an outdated option, as recently, more often a chain is established that is responsible for turning the bars, their movement, and also fixing in the chosen position.

fabric The blinds to the fabric windows have a slightly different design. There are many of their types, some of them can even be made independently.

It should also be noted that masters who have imagination and skillful hands, have learned to make blinds even from paper.

Documentary information about the first blinds appeared since 1760.They were produced in Philadelphia, but patented only in the next century, in 1841, when one of the American industrialists began to produce them at their enterprises.

However, it should nevertheless be assumed that the real, though not documented, history of these products goes to a more distant past, since they could be prefigured by curtains that are similar to them both in appearance and the principle of operation.

Blinds - this is the French word, which translates as "jealousy", and most likely, it is in this country that these curtains got their name. To explain this, apparently, it is possible that such curtains were acquired by jealous husbands who wanted to hide their wives from prying eyes, but at the same time, not wanting to completely deprive them of sunlight and the opportunity to see the street from the corner of their eye.

types of blinds

These sunscreens are divided into several types, as they have been manufactured in different countriesby its technology and from different materials. To understand which of them can be made from tissue, it is worth considering the main types.

Venetian horizontal blinds

This type of blind consists of horizontal slats that are located one above the other. Through the holes made in the slats on its two sides, cords are missed, which help to symmetrically and simultaneously turn all lamellas. The design allows you to install the straps so that they completely block the light or direct it towards the room, ceiling or window sill. These blinds are manufactured with different systems of their opening - a chain or "cord-stick".

. The lamellas can have a width of 16 to 50 mm, and for their manufacture plastic, metal, natural wood or pressed bamboo is used. The last two materials can be considered traditional, as it was from them that the first blinds were made.

Persian Blinds

This version of the blind also consists of slats, but can be installed not only horizontally, but also vertically. Their adjusting mechanism is arranged in such a way that it allows the bars to rotate freely. This type of curtain can block the access of light, open it completely or partially.

Vertical blinds are made of plastic, wood, and also impregnated with a special composition of fabric. A guide is fixed for this type of curtains, usually to the ceiling. Horizontally installed lamellae, made only of plastic, metal and wood, and they are attached to a special cornice.

It should be noted that vertical blinds are easier to clean than horizontal ones, and are also much more resistant to damage during wind gusts.

The prototype of vertical blinds was narrow pieces of fabric that were fastened together only in the upper part and sagged freely.

Blinds "pleated"

This type of blind has its name due to the shape that it has. Translated from the French word "pleated" is translated as "folding."Despite its French name, blinds pleated, it turns out, were invented in Germany, and then gradually spread to other countries and became quite popular.

Such blinds consist of several elements - a control system and fasteners and guiding threads that are threaded through the holes made in the folds. The very fabric of the blinds consists of a single piece of cloth impregnated with a special compound and collected in horizontal folds.

The mounting profile and blinds themselves in a folded state look compact, not "loading" the design of the window.

This type of curtain has different control mechanisms - it can be a chain or cord, neck or handle, bottom or top cornice. There are also electronic options that are controlled from the console.

The basis for the fabrics of which modern blinds are made pleated are polyester, so they do not burn out and have a long enough life.

These blinds are produced in different color shades - they can be monophonic or have a pattern. There are also variants with original metal spraying. The latter perfectly fit modern design solutions in the style of minimalism.

Blinds pleated "day-night", consisting of two canvases, are very popular recently. So, in the daytime, the window is closed with a translucent fabric, letting natural light out of the street, and at night a dense corrugated curtain falls on it.

Another version of this type of blinds, which has the name "duet".If you look at them from the front, they resemble the honeycomb shape. In these curtains, the control cord passes inside the two webs and is not visible from the outside. Blinds "duet" - more dense, therefore reliably close a window from solar beams in a strong heat. In addition, these densities contribute to a uniform distribution of light and temperature throughout the room.

Video: a variety of types and models of fabric curtains-blinds

We make blind curtains from

fabric ourselves. The blinds are usually defined as other kinds of curtains that are made of fabric: Roman, roller blinds, false blinds,others.

All the above listed curtain options can be purchased or ordered from manufacturers who manufacture blinds. However, the mentality of our compatriots is such that many prefer to do their own creative work and decorate their homes with products made with their own hands.

How to make roman blinds

The Roman version of curtains will be an excellent alternative to both blinds and traditional curtains. Especially they are well suited for a small room, which conventional curtains visually make even less. Roman blinds will close only the window opening, leaving the walls around it free and this space can be used to install furniture - thus saving the useful area of ​​the room.

In addition, if desired, this version of the blinds can be perfectly combined with conventional curtains, picking up a fabric that harmonizes in color and style.

Make it yourself roman curtains is quite affordable and easy enough. To do this, you need to calculate the dimensions, prepare the necessary materials and allocate some time for work.

You can make calculations based on a table developed by designers that shows the required parameters:

Window height	Number of folds	Distance between folds	Window height	Number of folds	Distance between folds	Window height	Number of folds	Distance between folds
145	7	19,3	180	7	24	215	7	28.7
150	7	20	185	7	24.7	220	7	29.3
155	7	20.7	190	7	25.3	225	8	30
160	7	21.3	195	7	26	230	8	27
165	7	22	200	7	26.7	235	8	27.6
170	7	22.7	205	7	27.3	240	8	28.2
175	7	23,3	210	7	28	245	8	28.8
-	-	-	-	-	-	250	8	29,4

Materials for the manufacture of Roman curtains

Of the materials for the manufacture of Roman blinds, you need to prepare the following:

	The first thing to do is measure the window opening. The width of the prepared fabric should be equal to the width of the window plus 50 mm for the filing of the side seams - 25 mm from each side. The length of the fabric should be equal to the height of the window plus 120 ÷ 150 mm for double folding at the bottom edge and 20 ÷ 25 mm for the binder along the upper edge.
	The second step is to cut the fabric of the main fabric and substrate. This process should be carried out on a large table, so that the fabric is completely placed on it and laid flat. The cutting is performed according to the dimensions removed from the window. If you plan to hang the curtain above the window opening, then the measurements are taken, taking into account the specific location.
	Further, before starting to process the fabric, it is necessary to connect the two webs with each other with pins, so that when the stitching does not move the fabric.
	The next step is marking the location of the cross bars. It should be carried out based on the parameters in the table above. After the locations of the racks have been determined, it is best to mark them with straight lines, which will make it easy to make stitches.
	If a fabric tape is used to install the strips, then its segments can be placed on the fabric and pinned to it with pins, taking into account the fact that it will be seamed along its edges.
	Next, the sides of the curtains are sewn, and then the bottom.
	After this, you need to stitch the curtain over the marked lines or attach the fabric tape to the fabric, and you need to sew the "velcro" to the top edge. Strips designed to install the slats in them, on one side are sewn. After all the seams have been made, the fabric needs to be ironed well.
	The next step in the sewn strips is to install the slats, move inward, and then the edges of the sewn strips are bent and stitched.
	The canvas is stolen on the table and there are places on it where the plastic rings will be sewn.
	They must be sewn onto the installed cross rails, exactly along the vertical line above each other. On the upper edge they are sewn together with Velcro.
	Next, cords are attached to or sewn to the lower rings, and then they are threaded vertically to the very top.
	Then, all the cords will be passed horizontally through the metal rings screwed into the top bar, which will be fixed to the window or wall.
	The next step is to prepare a bar or bar, on which the Roman curtain will be fastened. This element of construction can be manufactured by yourself, by finding the right material. The length of the bar should be the same as the width of the curtains. If it is a wooden beam, it can be painted, close in tone to curtains or the color of walls, paint.
	Next, it secures the second part of the Velcro tape. It can be glued with glue, but it is better to fasten it to the rail with staples using a stapler.
	Then, in the lower part of it are screwed special metal parts, which have ears, through which the cords will pass horizontally. These elements are screwed exactly above the fixed plastic rings.
	After this, for the cords you need to install a stopper so that when you open the curtain it is held in the desired position. Stoppers can have different designs, one of them is fixed to the wall, the other passes the cords and fix the curtain at the desired height.
	Next, the carrying rake, on which the Roman curtain will be fastened, is screwed to the wall or the window frame.
	The final stage in the design of the Roman curtain will be the decorative finish of its lower part. How to do it every master decides for himself - it can be ruches, lace or funny colorful pompons.
	At the end of the work, the curtain is fixed with a Velcro on the carrier bar. Everything, the work is finished, and you can experience this original and very handy system in action.
Illustration	Brief description of the operation

• Fabric is better to take a cotton or linen with a not very bright pattern, as bright colors are usually burned away quickly under the influence of ultraviolet rays.
• A fairly heavy lower bar or bar is required that will stretch the curtain, but will not prevent it from being lifted.
• You need a fabric ribbon "oblique bake", having a width of 20 ÷ 25 mm, or a thin white fabric of the same size as the main one. The second option is preferable, since the white substrate will retain the main drape for a longer time from burnout.
• Wooden strips or plastic rods are prepared, which will help to create accurate and even folds. They should have a size of 40 ÷ 45 mm less than the width of the curtains, since they will need to be fixed on both sides, sewing the beik around the edges. The number of wooden bars will be equal to the number of folds.
• Long durable kapron or silk cord. Its length will depend on the width and height of the window, as well as how many times it will be passed through the blind - in three or four rows.
• Two clips for cords.
• If desired, in addition to decorate the curtains, a decor is selected for decorating the fabric at the bottom and at its top.
• Velcro tape, about 20-25 mm wide, and the length of the width of the future curtain.
• You will need a rake, fixed above the window, on which the curtain will be hung.
• Metal hooks for hanging curtains on the wall.
• Plastic rings - their number depends on the planned number of rows of cord passage and the number of horizontal folds on the curtain.

The process of manufacturing the Roman curtains

The scheme of the Roman curtains is simple, and there are usually no special problems in its manufacture.

Fabric blinds for curtains

Another version of blinds made of fabric, which can not be called Roman curtains, because they do not have horizontal slats, but they can not be called pleated, because they do not have clear folds.

. Required materials

. To produce such a curtain, materials that differ slightly from those for creating Roman curtains will be required.

• Fabric. For these curtains can be taken one on the coloring material or several. If several fabrics are taken, they must necessarily have the same quality and thickness, otherwise the curtain will deform and look not aesthetically pleasing.
• Two slats, equal to the width of the future curtains, which will be installed in the upper and lower part of it.
• Cords, the length of which will depend on the length of the curtains.
• Eyelets - metal rings, mounted on a fabric or shoes for passing laces. For their installation, a special tool called a rivet is required.

Work order

Illustration	Brief description of the operation
	The layout and cutting of the fabric for these curtains is the same as for Roman blinds, but if the blinds are to be made of two fabrics, then there must be room for cuts in the whole linen. They must be calculated in such a way that the strips are positioned symmetrically with respect to the middle of the cut. For this, the fabric is folded in half, then the middle is marked and the same distance is measured from it in one and the other direction. Then, using the ruler and the chalk, the cut lines are defined and outlined.
	Strips of fabric of a different color should have the same length as the base fabric. Their width is determined by the size of the window opening, as the finished curtain should be wider by about 50 mm.
	The finished strips are folded together on the cutting line, the front side inward. Their edges should be laid perfectly evenly.
	Next, they are hand-woven with large stitches - this is done in order to make the seam smooth. After that, the fabric is stitching on the sewing machine. The edges of the cuts must necessarily be processed with an embossing, otherwise threads will come out of the fabric. After this, the curtain preparation must be properly ironed off.
	Go ahead - the side edges of the curtains are sewn, as well as the lower and upper side of the curtain. They are bent on the fabric, so that it can easily enter the rake. Moreover, in the upper part of the curtains it must be set to its full width.
	The next step in the sewn bottom of the curtain is the prepared rack.
	At the top of the curtains is installed a large thickness of the rack.
	Next, the blinded curtain is folded in accordion, and in this form is stripped. The resulting wrinkles will determine the location where the eyelets for the cord will be installed in the future.
	According to the resulting folds, on the side edges of the curtains, as well as on its center line, but only on the wrong side, eyelets are installed. If there is no tool performing this function, then the curtain can be attributed to the workshop or the sewing room, in which such services are usually provided.
	Further, through the louvered holes from the outer and inner sides of the curtains, a lace is passed from its two edges, which will tighten and lower our fabric blinds.
	In the top rod with each of its sides you need to drill two holes through which the laces are pulled. When in this position, the shoelaces help to lock the curtains and blinds in a certain position.
	On the reverse side, through the middle of the curtain, the cord is also pulled through the openings of the installed eyelets. It is necessary to maintain the shape of the folds. In addition, with it, you can change the configuration of a semi-closed curtain by pulling it up.
	You can hang such blinds on special hooks, which are screwed into the wall or window frame.

Blinds-pleated

Blinds-curtains pleated can be called the simplest version of making at home, as it is very easy to make them. Very often, these curtains are made of thick paper that can retain the shape of the folds, but you can make them from the fabric.

The principle of manufacturing both from paper and fabric is absolutely the same, only the cloth fabric requires preliminary preparation - otherwise it will be difficult to achieve rigidity and perfect evenness of the folds.

Materials for the manufacture of fabric blinds - pleated

The following materials are required for the production of blinds - pleated ones:

• The fabric for making blinds pleated is prepared by one and a half times the length of the window, and the width should be 40 mm larger than the width of the window opening.
• If the curtain is made of paper, then, for example, whatman is suitable.
• The cord must have a length equal to the height of the window opening plus 150 ÷ ​​200 mm.
• Wooden rake for the width of the future curtain, thickness of 7 ÷ 8 mm, on which the blinds will be fixed in their upper part, and by means of which they are suspended to the wall or the window-cover.
• A small hairpin, for example, for hair, or a clothespin for fixing a pulled up curtain.
• To create stiff creases on the fabric, starch or PVA glue will be required.

Work order

Illustration	Brief description of the operation
	The cutting of the fabric for the blind-pleated is carried out according to the dimensions removed from the window opening. The edges of the cut must be perfectly even. Next, it is recommended to process all edges of the cut with an overlock.
	Next, the fabric neatly folds into an accordion. To make the folds the same, you can make a template of the desired size from the cardboard. And in order that they do not lose their form, they are folded when they are pinned together with pins. Next, when the fabric is completely folded, it must be sewn along the edges with large stitches, without tightening the thread.
	Then you can proceed to the preparation of a starch or glue solution. Starch composition is prepared as follows: - Starch is diluted in cold water, it must dissolve completely without lumps. - Next, the finished mixture is gradually poured into boiling water, constantly it, stirring, so that the starch is not welded together with lumps. - The solution should become transparent. If it remains unclear, you need to hold it for a while on the fire, adding a little water. - Then, the well-mixed solution needs to be cooled to a warm state. - If necessary, starch the fabric to a very hard condition, then it is necessary to add a teaspoon of boric sodium salt to a liter of ready-made starch solution into the finished mixture, mix well and let it infuse for about two hours. You can starch the fabric and the PVA glue in the water. For this, glue and water are taken in the proportions of 1: 2. The desired amount is produced, depending on the size of the curtain, so that it must completely immerse in the finished solution. Another way to make the fabric stiff can be gelatin. It is soaked in cold water, and when it swells, bring the mixture to a boil. Divorced gelatin is left for a while for cooling. After the prepared glue has cooled to a warm state, you can proceed to the next step of manufacturing curtains pleated.
	In the finished solution, fold the curtain folded into the accordion. It should completely soak it, so it needs to be pressed a little, and a few minutes to hold in the starch. Then, the future blinds need to get out of the mixture and wring out, without twisting. The next step is to place the wet accordion on the fabric, absorbing the water well, the base, close it with a clean thin cotton cloth and go over it with a hot iron, without drying the curtain completely.
	Next, with a still damp cloth formed in the accordion, you need to remove the threads with which it was smotana, and distribute it on the table, leaving it to dry out in its unfolded form. If you do not do this immediately, then after drying the folds can stick together and they will be difficult to separate. After the fabric has dried completely, the accordion should be folded again and its midpoint, to which the hole is to be made, is to be determined simultaneously in all the folds. You can try this with a punch.
	If the cord for the curtain is prepared thin, for example, from a thread for sewing shoes, then you can, without making holes, pass it through all the folds with a "gypsy" needle, having previously marked the puncture point with an awl. The thread must pass through the folds in the middle part of their width. In the upper part of the curtain is installed a wooden bar, on which it is best to fix the central cord of the blade.
	At the bottom of the curtains on the cord, you need to install a stopper so that, when fully deployed, the thread does not slip out of the fabric.
	The lower edge of the curtains can be left flat or fasten the sides of the leaf in the form of a fan by pulling it down and fixing the cord in the middle of the width of the blind with a hair clip or a small neat clothespin matched to the color of the fabric. You can lift these blinds completely, leaving only the fan that decorates them or lower them to the desired height.

Curtains pleated are also convenient because they can decorate not only the direct window openings, but also the windows of the arch type, and fixing them on the frame of any material, whether wood or plastic.

Correctly in color and texture, the selected fabric, in harmony with the rest of the interior solution, will make the blinds a decorative decoration of the room, which will not yield to expensive curtains.

There are other blind curtains, which are made of fabric:

• Sliding blinds, when the fabric is fixed on frames made of thin rails, which are fixed in the guides installed in the upper part of the window opening.
• Fabric stripes having different widths, which are also fastened in the upper guides, but only on special hooks.
• Blinds of multi-colored threads.
• Roll versions of curtains with different lifting and fastening mechanisms, and other types of fabric curtains, made in the type of blinds.

Roller blinds are great for plastic windows!

This type of curtains is very convenient in everyday use, so it is rapidly gaining popularity. How to install roller blinds on plastic windows , without resorting to drilling the profile - described in a special publication of our portal.

Having chosen the most favorite type of fabric curtains, and having shown fancy and diligence, having made them by own strength, it is possible to save a considerable amount that will never be superfluous in the family budget.