apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I don't like "normal" curtains, so I went to the decoration-department of a local fabric dealer and bought some wonderful deco-fabrics in beige and dark red (two different fabrics). I hung them with these small clips. Without sewing. They don't cover too much but won't let anybody see what I'm doing in the bedroom either. And in the morning, the light isn't too bright.

I would try Etsy- they have great fabric on there and someone may be lending their services for making curtains. You can try Alchemy on the Etsy site where you post specific requests for an item and sellers bid on your post.

My favorite quick fix is to buy the very inexpensive muslin-like roman shades sold at IKEA (also often available on Ebay) and baste a fabric I like better to the top. It's even cheaper than buying the raw shade materials at a fabric store. Given my limited sewing skills, the finished product was also significantly nicer. You don't even need a sewing machine--easy to do by hand. I've made some killer shades out of vintage barkcloth this way.

This blog has some great instructions on DIY Roman Shades:

http://jenduncan.typepad.com/whats_new/2008/11/roman-blind-tutorial-in-20-pictures-or-less.html

a seamstress can make you one and will charge much more reasonable rates than a retail operation

Hi, Ruthie from The Community Forklift here! (We're DC''s nonprofit thrift store for home improvement - at our warehouse in Hyattsville, you can donate surplus or gently-used building materials, or you can buy them at very low prices).

Recently, a hardware store was cleaning out their back room, and donated several dozen do-it-yourself window roller shade kits. I can't remember the brand name, but the retail price wasn't too bad - from $12 to $25 a kit.

Unfortunately, we're all out - our crafty customers snapped them up. But I would check with local small hardware stores, craft stores, and window treatment stores for DIY kits.

One caution regarding the cheap Ikea roman shades...keep in mind that they're kind of flimsy, and don't last very long if you are going to be frequently raising and lowering them. I had some in my last house, and some looked great for several years...but the ones in the windows that were regularly in use kept falling down and getting knotted up. Also, I was just in Ikea in College Park, and noticed that they're recalling some of the styles due to strangulation risks for kids or animals.

oh and how to find a seamstress? - call a local sewing shop (usually they sell machines and offer lessons). chances are they will have a list of seamstress's.

I had a similiar issue in my old house. I finally broke down and bought roller shades from Smith and Noble. Kind of pricy but then I got to order them in exactly the right size to fit inside my frame without blocking the nice trim and in a pretty fabric. They often have sales and usually offer free samples of the fabric.

http://www.smithandnoble.com/

Also I have to comment on the Ikea roman shades. I have a set of those in my dining room. And although they happen to fit really well in my window they have be recalled!

Roman shades are easy to make and install, about a 3 on a seamstress scale of 1(pillow cover) to 10(fitted jacket). I would recommend getting a book on the subject. Try

http://www.amazon.com/Sew-Weekend-Curtains-Blinds-Valances/dp/1558704930/ref=pd_sim_dbs_b_20

http://www.amazon.com/Making-Curtains-Blinds-Stylish-treatments/dp/1844766497/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233253800&sr=1-2

Do you want shades? Or will curtains do? I discovered (rediscovered actually) those cheapie tension rods (Kmart or Walmart, Target doesn't have them- they're that cheap) when I moved to a place with nice window moldings. They go on the inside of the window frame and your choices for curtains are practically unlimited. Once the curtains are in place you can't see the rods.

When making a DIY roman shade (and ljkesler's link above to the easy tutorial on jenduncan.typepad.com is fabulous. Great advice!) you can upcycle the draw cords and locking header mechanism from some unattractive but functional venetian blinds.

Using only the cords that move up and down (you'd cut away the ladder-like cords that space out the blinds) gives you a way to mount the blinds and a way to hold them up without a cleat.

Ohhhhh I've been coveting those Serafina shades for so long. They are *exactly* what I'm looking for and nothing else has come close. I wish they'd go on sale!

I guess I'm not much help, eh? Good luck!

I know this is incredibly uncreative, but I'm in DC and I've had good luck with Next Day Blinds. They have a wide range of options, and they do the measuring and install.

Target still has the cheapie tension rods -- I bought a bunch two years ago when I moved into this house! Our mortgage company gave us a $100 Target card as a closing gift.

bed bath and beyond also has cheap tension rods. Definitely DIY with the online tutorials - if that link doesn't suit you, google it! you'll find dozens of tutorials.

Window shades are super easy! and making them yourself with some fabric you picked out is always more interesting than store bought.

The Shade Store: www.theshadestore.com

Can anyone tell me the name of the pattern in the second picture? I've been looking for it everywhere, I'm assuming it's an old PB Pattern. It would go perfectly in my room.

As for curtains, there are a few people on Etsy that are willing to make roman shades or plain curtains. Some may seem a little pricey, but they are usually good quality and lined so that they are insultated and darkening shades.

You might also try craig's list for a seamstress in your area who is looking for side job work. Then they can use the material you have or want already and you don't have to choose from their selection of fabrics.

If you want to make your own ROLLER shades, all you do is buy a VERY inexpensive shade (Home Depot) and take off the plastic shade part. Remove the wooden slat at the bottom, so you can reuse it. Cut the material you like to the dimension of the roller and staple it on. Sew a casing at the bottom for the wood slat and insert it.

The part that is difficult is figuring out the best way to finish the sides. You can hem them, glue them or use a fray check liquid. Just make sure to allow the for the additional width when you cut the fabric.

Good luck!