How to recover vertical blinds

Affordable vertical blinds are smart, practical and modern additions to just about any home; fitting with a mix of interiors styles they not only also provide enhanced privacy within the home but enable you to truly brighten up or tone down any spaces as and when you please. Now having your own set of stylish vertical blinds is no doubt an investment for any home, though as time goes by you may want to spruce those old blinds up and give them a new lease of life. So here is an easy to follow step by step guide to show you how to create a fresh new look for those dreary vertical blinds, giving them a complete makeover to compliment any fresh decor in your home.

What you will need:

Blind fabric of choice ( this can either be block colour or a printed pattern ), Double sided adhesive backing material ( this will help to seal the new fabric to each vertical blind), Rotary cutter or fabric scissors , Dressmaker pins, Tape measure, Fabric pencil, Craft cutting mat, Fabric quilting ruler , Plain paper, Standard pencil

Optional:

Fabric glue, Craft paint brush

Step one: Measure your window space. The first thing you need to do is with your tape measure check the width and height of your chosen window space, by doing this it will give you the accurate measurements needed to begin refurbishing your own vertical blinds. After completing this step using the measurements written down you can now estimate the overall length and quantity of fabric you will need for this project. Usually a standard vertical blind piece measures at 3.5 inches in its width and 40+ inches in its height ( though please be sure to double check your own blind as this may differ depending on blind manufacturer or whether your blinds are custom made). Another thing that you also need to consider is possibly adding extra fabric to your estimated quantity to allow spare material leftover in the case of any possible mistakes made during the project.

Step two: Picking and preparing your fabric. Moving onto step two now is the time for you to pick and prepare your fabrics that will recover your vertical blinds. One important thing to consider before purchasing your base fabric is deciding whether you want to incorporate a single block colour fabric or patterned designer print into your project. If you decide to use a block colour tone of fabric then you don't have to be too concerned about how you cut the fabric later on. However if you want to use a designer pattern print for this project whether a floral or geometric print for example, then you may want to pay attention to the cut and placement of each of your vertical panels. This way you can then ensure that with each piece you cut and hang in your window space, will repeat seamlessly preventing an uneven look or misshaped seamless print in your blinds. Secondly if you want to avoid having to hem any of your blind panels as a way to save time, be sure to choose a fabric that is none fray. If you're worried about colour durability and how your fabrics are likely to react in contact with direct sunlight be sure to ask the fabric retailer for details. Doing this will just help to ensure your getting the ideal fabric you need, however most fabrics produced today have special dye pigments that help prevent this making them long lasting for you and your home.

Step three: Make a blind paper template. Remove one of your existing vertical blinds from its window fitting (you will need to remove all the blind panels at a later point to begin recovering them) then placing the panel onto a sheet of plain paper to the size of your panel, using a pencil accurately mark the shape and measurements onto its surface. Once you've finished lift the panel off the page and using scissors carefully cut out the paper template for use in step four when preparing to create your fabric blind panels.

Step four: Preparing your fabric panels. Using the template you made in step three and your dressmaker pins apply the template to your chosen fabric (use the pins secure the fabric in place preventing movement and any mistakes in during cutting). Then using either a rotary cutter with a ruler or pair of fabric scissors carefully cut out the pinned panel from your fabric, you'll require one panel for each individual blind fitting in your window. Please take note that if you are by chance using a particular fabric that fray's then as an option you can use fabric glue or medium to seal the edges of the fabric to prevent it fraying too much.

Step five: Applying the adhesive. Next taking your double sided adhesive backing tape cut a piece to the appropriate size of your starting panel. To ensure that there are no ripples or air pockets left in the fabric it would be ideal to cut the adhesive tape to size and run the tape from the top to bottom of the blind.

Step six: Securing your fabric. Now that the adhesive has been put into place you can remove the surface layer that preserves the tapes stickiness and ensuring you've chosen the right side of the fabric, carefully place your cut fabric piece into place. Using the flat palm of your hand slowly run your hand across the surface of the blind panel to ensure all the fabric is secured into place. If by chance your panel has pockets of air or ripples in the fabric remaining, carefully pull back the fabric and lay it back down to try again for a smoother finish. Repeat steps five to six with each of the remaining blind panels you have left to complete the whole blind set.

Final step: Refitting your blinds. Once you have successfully adhered and recovered all your vertical blind panels all that is left to do is simply clip the blinds back into place where they were fitted before. Secure your blind beading into place at the bottom of each single vertical blind as this helps to operate the blind when adjusted and by doing so you can check everything is working properly. Be sure if you used a pattern fabric for this project that each panel is arranged accordingly so that your pattern repeats seamlessly with ease.