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Rolled-Up Blind Tutorial

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Guide on how to make a Rolled-up blind (or Stagecoach valance) with detailed step-by-step instructions, photographs and professional tips.

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Page 1: Rolled-Up Blind Tutorial

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Page 2: Rolled-Up Blind Tutorial

How to make a Rolled-up Blind - with Ties

A rolled-up blind with ties is an easy to make window treatment which shows off nicely two co-ordinating fabrics. It benefits from the pretty effect of ties which can be made from either the blind fabrics, from ribbon or braid. The ties can be knotted simply or tied into bows.

A rolled-up blind with ties is mainly used as a stationary blind – to ‘dress’ the window. Although it can be unrolled, it does require careful rolling/unrolling, and tying by hand, to keep it looking smart.

You will need:

Batten:• 1” Timber batten cut 1/2” less than the length of the finished blind• ‘L’ shaped brackets, or long screws, to mount the batten• Stick on Velcro hook tape (for attaching to the top of the batten)

Blind:• Two co-ordinating fabrics (a floral pattern, with either a check or stripe works well)• Ribbon or extra fabric to make the ties• 1” diameter dowelling or broom handle; cut 1” less than the finished bind width • Sew on Velcro loop tape• Sewing machine and equipment – thread, ruler, pencil, pins, staple gun

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Page 3: Rolled-Up Blind Tutorial

Let’s get started

1. Measure the window: Decide where you want the batten to go (see step 14 for preparing and fixing batten). Measure the exact width and length that you want your blind to be. These are your ‘Finished Width’ and ‘Finished Length’ measurements for the front and the back fabric. Write these measurements on the top line in the chart below.

2. Add seam allowances: Add 6cm to the finished width measurement, (allows for 3cm for each side seam). Add 9cm to the finished length measurement, (allows 3cm for the bottom hem and 6cm for the top hem and fold). This now gives you your fabric 'Cutting Width’ and fabric 'Cutting Length’ measurements.

3. Mark bottom Cutting Line on front fabric: Lay fabric flat, iron if it is creased. You need to make sure that the bottom cutting line is ‘square’ – ie at right angles to the fabric edges (selvedges). To mark the bottom cutting line, lay a long ruler across your fabric, check it is square and draw a line from selvedge to selvedge.

4. Mark top cutting line: Measure up from the bottom cutting line and pin at the fabric Cutting Length measurement. Do this in a couple of places and using the ruler draw in the top cutting line. Cut out fabric along 'bottom' and 'top' marked lines.

Tip: When cutting out fabric I always draw a 'T' for 'top' in the top corner seams to remind me of the direction of the fabric. It's pretty annoying to find your fabric is upside down after you have finished.

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Page 4: Rolled-Up Blind Tutorial

5. Mark Fabric Cutting Width lines: Take into account where you want the side edges to finish in relation to any pattern on the fabric. Mark the fabric Cutting Width. These lines should run parallel to the fabric side edges (selvedges).

Tip: I mark the side cutting lines by first pinning along the Finished Width measurement. I place my 3cm wide ruler against the outside edge of the pins and draw my cutting line the other side of the ruler – giving my 3cm seam allowance. I do this on both sides and then just double check my measurements. Pin to pin will be the Finished Width and line to line will be the fabric Cutting Width.

6. Repeat steps 3-5 for back fabric.

Optional detail - In this picture you can see that I have attached a 5cm band of the back fabric (the stripe) onto the bottom of the front fabric. This makes the bottom of the blind look more attractive if you do let it down, as you will still see a band of the stripe from the front.

7. Pin fabrics together: Position the two fabrics right sides together with tops and bottoms lined together. Pin along the sides and bottom.

Tip: I place pins horizontally with the heads by the edge of the fabrics so that they can easily be removed by my right hand as I machine stitch. It is also less likely to break a needle as the machine can usually sew across pins placed horizontally.

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Page 5: Rolled-Up Blind Tutorial

8. Sew fabrics together: Starting at the top right hand side, stitch 3cm from the edge down one side, along the bottom and up the other side – pivoting at the two corners.

Tip: I use the 3cm marker on the machine bed to guide me – rather than tacking.

9. Trim and turn fabric: Before turning - cut across the corner to remove the seam allowance and reduce the bulk AND iron the seam allowance open around the three stitched sides. Turn fabrics right side out (see next tip for this).

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Page 6: Rolled-Up Blind Tutorial

Tip: I use a chop stick to push the corners out as it is not too sharp and pointy and less likely to be pushed through the fabric.

10. Square-up the edges and then iron: Roll the seamed edges to position the two materials so the the front fabric is not seen from the back and visa-versa. Iron well on both sides.

11. Add dowelling and fold top: The dowelling should be cut about 1” less than the finished width measurement. Place the dowelling inside at the bottom of the bind. Place the top sides together and mark a line 3cm from the top edge. Fold the top edge over along the line toward the back. Iron the fold.

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Page 7: Rolled-Up Blind Tutorial

12. Stitch loop velcro and ties: First mark the centre of the ties (by folding in half). Position the ties about 3-4” from the edges of the blind. Lay across the top with the centre of the tie aligned with the top fold. Pin. The loop velcro should be cut just less than the finished width measurement. Lay the velcro along the top, just short of the folded edge with the ties pinned underneath. Remove the tie pins and re-pin in the same position through the velcro and the ties. Stitch along the top edge of the velcro. Then stitch (in the same direction) along the bottom edge of the velcro.

13. Roll and tie blind: Roll and tie the blind whilst it is laid flat. The front fabric will tend to rise upwards – continue to tuck this down as you roll. Don't worry if there are few creases within the roll.

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Page 8: Rolled-Up Blind Tutorial

14. Prepare and Fix batten: Prepare the batten – it should be 1/2” less than the length of the finished blind. Stick hook velcro onto the top of the batten and staple in place. Fix batten above the window in the desired location, with the hook velcro to the top.

Tip: I have covered the ends of the batten in lining material - you can cover the whole batten. You could also use the blind fabric. This blind is in our showroom.

15. Hang and dress blind: Attach the loop velcro on the blind to the hook velcro on top of the batten. Check if you are happy with the way the blind is hanging. If necessary release the ties and re-roll the blind and smooth the roll to improve the overall look. There is likely to be some creasing and the front fabric will need smoothing downwards.

Enjoy your Rolled Blind!

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