How did I do for my first time??

13 years ago

I made these roman blinds. It took me three weekends to make them and then to have DH help me hang them. I honestly only know how to sew a straight line. The hardest part was the measuring. They are actually faux romans. I don't think I would ever attempt the ones with rings. We didn't want to cover any of the trim and as you can see we don't need privacy.

I was reading a thread a while back and someone linked to a blog (Centsational Girl) where she had made some and gave instructions. So it cost me about $100 for the three windows. The hardest thing was making sure all three were the same. If it was only one window if would have been so much easier.

I had to use the flash because it is so bright in this room.

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Comments (48)

cooperbailey
13 years ago
Perfect! Fabric choice,color, style, you get Straight A's from me.
Oakley
13 years ago
Forget the gorgeous Roman Blinds, I want to see the rest of your house!! lol.

I have the exact same Singer table you do with a big block of Oak on top. I wouldn't part with that table for the world!
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Susan
13 years ago
well done! and what a lovely view, where are you?
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
13 years ago
These are beautiful and look very professional. You did a fantastic job of it.

I am off to see if I can find the post with the link.
laxsupermom
13 years ago
Beautiful! That is gorgeous fabric and you did a great job!
nicole__
13 years ago
I LOVE your fabric choice! Good job! Very tasteful!
DLM2000-GW
13 years ago
How did you do? You did great! Perfect fabric choice, too. What a wonderful room and stunning view.
teacats
13 years ago
Fantastic job!!!

Very well done indeed! :)

Jan at Rosemary Cottage
ctlane
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks everyone. It means a lot coming from all of you. We just finished the basement this summer.
Fallingwaters I am in Nova Scotia.

Oakleyok, that singer base belonged to my grandmother, that was all that was left of it so DH made a top for it.

Walnutcreek, here is the link to the blog
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/06/diy-fixed-flat-fold-roman-shade/

As we were picking colors for the basement I wanted lighter, brighter and fresher. The upstairs is warm golds, olives, and reds. Eventually I would like to lighten the upstairs as well.

Thanks again everyone. You all give me the courage to go for it.
Laurie
13 years ago
I LOVE everything about the look and feel of your style. How appropriate it is to see your grandma's restored Singer treadle base underneath your beautiful sewing project.

Can you share your paint colors (the white & the taupe/gray)?
Where did you get that fabric for the blinds? The fabric goes so well with the colors in your room and also seems to tie in with the fantastic outdoor greenery view.
-Laurie
caminnc
13 years ago
WOW, You did a wonderful job and what a view! Just perfect.
yborgal
13 years ago
I can't believe you've never done this before! What a great job!!!
ellendi
13 years ago
I agree with everyone! Would you mind sharing the fabric? I am looking for fabric for my kitchen, but in a different color wave. I really love your pattern and maybe can find something similar.
ctlane
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks,
Laurie 2008 I never thought of that about my grandmothers sewing base. The paint color is BM Gray Mirage eggshell finish, frightening in the can but I really like the color on the walls. It reads really more green in person. The white is just regular white paint but in pearl finish so it has a slight sheen next to the eggshell.

As for the fabric, I bought it at a local fabric store, that is all I know about it. Ha, I told you I know nothing about sewing.

I am surprised to find something around here that you all like so much, usually I am amazed at all of what you have to choose from. Around here we are very limited in choice.
User
13 years ago
Oh wow...those look so nice. And that view...we are going to go camping in Nova Scotia next year. I got a bunch of books from the travel people up there and they list all the campgrounds etc. We are really looking forward to a great trip. We are planning on hiking some of the Cabot Trail.

You have a gorgeous place. c
ctlane
Original Author
13 years ago
Trailrunner we live 20 minutes off the highway that you will have to take to get to the Cabot Trail. Small world.
juddgirl2
13 years ago
I really like them, and the fabric also. It complements your pretty views.

We have the same trim detail and I don't want to cover it up either. This is a great way to bring in color and texture without using panels.

Does the site have instructions for working Roman shades? I need 3 for my daughter's room and they are very expensive. This might be a project I could take on.
ctlane
Original Author
13 years ago
Juddgirl, I didn't see any instructions for working romans at that particular blog, but I imagine if you google for instructions there should be lots of information. I had to flip them over and tack the folds in place so they wouldn't sag in the middle when hung up and I think if you are making working shades that is where the rings would go.
neetsiepie
13 years ago
I echo everyone's sentiments. I love the fabric! You've inspired me to finally do something with my windows in the dining area that need something.
redecor8
13 years ago
Here's the link to the tutorial on centsationalgirl.com

Here is a link that might be useful: DIY Flat Fold Roman Shade
redbazel
13 years ago
I DO sew and I keep getting too chicken to try romans. Yours look fabulous! I can't believe it's your first time.

Red
User
13 years ago
Very nice!! Your room is so crisp looking and pretty! That view is pretty darn wonderful too.
mahatmacat1
13 years ago
Fabulous! What everyone else said :) I really wasn't expecting anything that nice when I saw "for my first time" - but you probably knew that, didn't you? :)

A question: why do people who have such amazing views turn chairs away from the windows? If I had a view like that I'd have all the chairs facing out, conversation groupings be d*mned :) But seriously, do you have another area where there are chairs facing the view?
loribee
13 years ago
Oh my gosh...WONDERFUL! Amazing view, too!
ctlane
Original Author
13 years ago
Fly there is a sofa across from the chairs if that helps any:)

Honestly we have never sat in this room for an evening yet. I think in the summer we will get more use out of it. We also have a new bathroom (that I love), an empty bedroom, a large laundry room that could use decorative touches, a working office and another odd space by the doors that I am not sure what to do with yet.
nana2010_gw
13 years ago
Wonderful job.Your room is lovely,
I love the sewing machine table.
ctlane
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Nana, Does anyone think I should make pillow covers with the leftover material? or would that be overkill.
andee_gw
13 years ago
Not overkill at all! Just the right finishing touch. I could also see a splash of the gold-tone color in coordinating pillows or decorative items.
jejvtr
13 years ago
ctlane

Great job - good for you with the "I can do this" attitude.
I think I posted the link to censational girl - what a great blog.

If you made those, you certainly could do the ones with the rings. As you stated, the hardest part is prep - I wish someone could cut all my fabric straight, then I would just be responsible for sewing:)

Nice job, yes make pillow covers with left over fabric
User
13 years ago
Oh you are lucky ! You mention lots of other decorating challenges in the house. Did you just build or buy the home ? So far you are doing a great job. I am so looking forward to seeing the rest of your beautiful home...and MORE of that view. c
ctlane
Original Author
13 years ago
We built this house about 5 years ago. Being the first time building we have already made some changes. When you enter the main door, to the left were double doors with the washer and dryer, to the right was a coat closet. It felt really closed in especially if we had several people taking off shoes etc. We moved the washer and dryer to a new laundry room in the basement and took out the coat closet. We now use the old laundry closet for out coats and have a bench in place of the old coat closet. Much better.

In this pic we are removing the closet there on the left. The door that DH is standing behind is the new coat closet.

Here is the after BM providence olive

Inside new closet

View
User
13 years ago
Oh that project turned out great. I love the organization of the new closet and the bench is a great idea. I can't imagine having the washer /dryer right there so I bet it is a huge improvement.

That view...I would get NOTHING done as I would be out there all the time. What a treasure. Thank you for sharing. We are bringing our bikes with us when we come so we can bike a lot while we are up there also. I am so looking forward to the trip.c
haley_comet
13 years ago
BRAVO!
Laurie
13 years ago
Thank you for posting more pics.. Beautiful! Love that BM Providence Olive. I can see how that would coordinate well with the gray in your other room. I'm saving this post as inspiration : )

Just curious to know what that small round hardware or ?? is that's in the middle of the single door - 2nd pic - (just a little lower than center of the door).
-Laurie
mahatmacat1
13 years ago
I'm so relieved about the sofa :) I can only imagine what that view looks like in winter, up in Nova Scotia (DH's family is partly from New Brunswick).

The change in the front hall is so smart! And the bench is *perfect* there. It fits like you designed the hall around it. That closet is also brilliant. Don't you feel great when you make design changes within the same footprint that so completely upgrade the use of the space?
bird_lover6
13 years ago
Oh, that is just gorgeous! You did a great job.

Now, if only I will go downstairs and finish cutting the fabric that is on my dining room table... You've inspired me!
TxMarti
13 years ago
Your blinds are awesome. They look really professional to me. I really like the colors and patterns you have in the room. Good job!
nhb22
13 years ago
Beautiful job, room and views!
ctlane
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks everyone, Laurie that is a brushed nickle turn style doorbell.

On the outside of the door (strange lighting)

Inside
Laurie
13 years ago
That doorbell is so interesting and unique! Makes me wish we had some sort of audio link on this forum so I could hear that ring : )

Are you or dh decorators by profession or do you have one that you consult with?
ctlane
Original Author
13 years ago
Laurie, definitely not decorators. And no one around to consult with, only here on GW. My DH was a professional baker but we now both work from home on the internet. Your last post really made me laugh. The doorbell sounds similar to a bicycle bell only much louder because the cover it strikes is thicker.

Maybe because we are home 24/7 and see the view all the time, no need to face all seating to the windows.

The reason I decided to show you all my romans in the first place was because you just never know who is reading and may decide to tackle it themselves. If I can manage to make them look decent then anyone can. The earlier post and link to the instructions inspired me to at least give it a try.
auntie_ellen boston
13 years ago
Beautiful job, beautiful room. Did you use the wooden dowels for each fold? where did you get them?

TIA!
ctlane
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Ellen, No, I didn't use wooden dowels, but you can buy them at any hardware or big box type store. The material I used is fairly heavy. If you were using a light weight material then I imagine the dowels would make the folds appear fuller or rounded. Also,I didn't use any lining like on the blog. I figured by the time I made all of the folds, and with the material being thicker that you wouldn't be able to see light through them. Working from the bottom up, when I had all of the folds made and tacked down, there was about 12 or so inches of fabric at the top that could have been cut off but I let it hang down in behind what you see to give another layer so you wouldn't see daylight through.
jendoeshair
13 years ago
Loved looking at your pictures. Beautiful home and beautiful view.
User
13 years ago
That is a WONDERFUL closet and view! :)
dgmarie
13 years ago
i MUST know where you got that hall bench. I want one JUST like that!!
ctlane
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks guys, dgmaire the bench came from lazyboy, the brand name is Kincaid. It also came with a square back and you could order it in many finished and colors, even cranberry.
dgmarie
13 years ago
THANK YOU!! I am off to google it right now.