How to Cut Roller Blinds
Looking to upcycle a roller blind, move a blind to a new window or new home, or have a favourite ready made blind you'd like to resize? Luckily, cutting and making roller blinds is a fairly simple process, as long as you make sure to take the correct measurements!
The first step is measuring the width and length of the window in question, before deciding if you want the blinds to fit inside or outside of the window recess. This will give your window a completely different aesthetic look depending on your choice, so have a think before you cut!
Next, you should start to mark the blinds for cutting. To do so, lay the roller blinds flat on a smooth surface, before marking out the same window measurements on the blinds themselves. Make sure these are visible, accurate and even, and always make sure to use sharp scissors - you don’t want to accidentally waste your blinds!
Remember - roller blinds are designed to provide varying levels of privacy, in addition to allowing you to control the amount of light and heat that enters a room. For more control, you can even buy roller blinds with varying opacity, selecting blackout roller blinds for a darker room, or a sheer roller blind for a brighter space.
As such, the specific way you cut a roller blind can impact how much light enters your space. As such, learning how to cut your roller blind correctly is important, with an eye to detail and precise calculations required, or the blind may not fit the window frame appropriately, and may even fray. Always apply your DIY skills and use accurate tools in good condition to achieve the best results!
Remember: if the blinds are too long, you may have to repeat the process, which can be time consuming. Alternatively, too short and you will not only be unable to control the light in your space - you’ll also likely have to purchase a brand new set of roller blinds. As a result, the right measurements and cutting tools are essential, even for ready-made roller blinds!
You can find more detailed, step-by-step guide on how to cut roller blinds below:
Step 1: Measure the window frame where the blind will fall
Using a tape measure, preferably a metal model, measure the width of the window frame in question, considering if you want the blind to fall outside or outside of the recess. Next, measure the top, middle and bottom of the frame - not all frames are perfectly square! In addition, you should take any mounting into consideration, as this could alter the fit of your blinds.
Step 2: Lay the roller blinds flat
Find a piece of cardboard, or another hard material, and unroll the blind on the surface. Make sure that there is nothing underneath the cardboard, or anything that could impact the blind laying perfectly flat. In addition, you should check that the top of the roller blind material, whether made from polyester or PVC, is at the top of the cardboard. This will be the side with the round head.
Step 3: Affix the brackets
Fix the brackets into their desired position on the window. This way, the roller blinds can be immediately installed instead of lying around on the floor, potentially becoming a hazard to others. This is also important to protect the blinds in colours more prone to becoming dirty, such as white or cream.
Step 4: Make the measurements
Measure from one outside edge to the other outside edge of the brackets and then record the measurement on the fabric using a pencil, or marker. Deduct approximately 2 to 3 millimetres from the bracket-to-bracket measurements.
If the roller blinds are going into the recess, then 1 centimetre will suffice for a perfect fit - just make sure to consider the width of the brackets in determining the amount to be trimmed from the blinds!
Pro tip: Use a metal woodworking measuring tape, as this provides for more accurate measurements and flexibility in use than a plastic tailor's measuring tape. Use a straight edge ruler, the one used by engineers and architects, if it is available.
Step 5: Cut the roller blinds
Using a sharp pair of scissors, follow the cutting line on the blinds. Do this in conjunction with a metal ruler for best results, allowing you to keep a straight line. This is especially important for patterned roller blinds, as any disruption to the blinds could significantly impact their aesthetics. And viola! Your blinds are now ready to hang for a better night’s sleep.
Just make sure to clean up the workspace, and to place any sharp tools in a safe place after you’re done. For more inspiration on how to incorporate roller blinds into interior trends, visit the Terrys blog.
