When I moved to our new home in East Sussex I had a lot of big windows to dress and not a lot of money. After living there for a while I decided that the best treatment would be roller blinds in terms of allowing in the most light and best views of surrounding nature. Off-the-shelf roller blinds can be limited in choice of Fabric but I know a company who can make them from your choice of designer fabric if price is not an issue.
As an Interior Designer I’ve collected so many beautiful textiles over the years so here was my chance to finally use them. While holding the fabric to the window I thought that as it was so heavy and good quality I might be able to get away without having it laminated. If it didn’t work, all I’d lose would be a small margin of fabric where it adheres to the roller.
I ordered a good quality roller kit online, below 20 pounds and replaced the plastic chain with an old brass one to make the whole thing look better quality. I cut the fabric to size, stitched a tunnel in one end for the bottom rod (used sewing machine but you can hand stitch), dabbed the side seams carefully with pvc glue and Tah Dah!!! I had me a convincing looking roller blind. The fabric retailed at #200 per metre but I bought it for #25 per metre from Fabric Wonderland in Halland, East Sussex. It’s a massive warehouse of fantastic fabrics at knock down prices. The owners Stephen & Sarah know their stock so well and are great to deal with. It’s well worth a visit.
One of the best things about not having the blind backed or laminated is that you get to see the beautiful fabrics from the outside as well as inside. When they’re in the up position I like the look of leaving a margin hanging below the top of the window a little like you’d have when a Roman blind is drawn up.
Be aware that if you’re leaving an un-backed roller blind in the down position and it has a deep color or is made of silk it’s not the color will fade quicker than if its laminated but all things considered, with the right fabric and as a cost-saving idea its a practical option.
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