Making a black out blind - haven't got a clue!

stargirl73

Hi all.

I know there are some very talented types on here so I'd like to pick some brains please!

I won some material on eBay in order to make window dressings for the nursery (well that's what it will be when I clear all the junk out of it!)

It said it was black out material, which is what I read I wanted. When it arrived it's just ordinary material, with a very thick, separate plasticky lining which I assume is the black out stuff.

I'm probably being incredibly ignorant - but is this how all black out material is? In my mind, I thought that the material itself was blackout. I was probably wrong.

Anyway - not to be deterred....

There's loads of material so I'd like to make a pair of curtains (think I can just about manage that - though I'm no seamstress!) and a roller blind.

I've gone through previous posts about making blinds and that's all well and good (well I think so anyway!) but how do I make what I've got into a roller blind? Is it possible? Seems to me that the material plus the black out lining will make a very bulky combination and it's really quite inflexible and don't know if it will roll up well.

Does anyone know /think it will be possible? Or have I just bought acres of stuff that I don't know what to do with!?

Any advice welcome....please!

Thanks in advance

Mrs_Flittersnoop

Hmm. When I made blackout blinds for my DD's bedroom a million years ago the fabric was white-ish but fairly thick, no separate lining. I foolishly made Roman blinds with them (I don't think roller blinds would work due to the thickness of the fabric) completely forgetting that the needle holes along each of the wooden dowels would let through the light. Duh. I carefully stencilled pretty flowers on them, added all the fixings and OH put them up for me in triumph, then we were dazzled by the bright sun shining through all the needle holes. Oops.

So I would recommend you make some sort of curtain from them or else find some way of sealing the needle holes - some sort of adhesive tape? on the back. Or some sort of flat blind? sorry not to be more helpful.

Mrs F

Pooky

I've never made a roller blind with it - I know it can be a bit thick sometimes and the backing on the shop bought black out blinds tends to be a lot more flexible.

Using it for linings for your curtains will be the best bet, not sure if it came with any washing/care instructions as I know some of it doesn't wash well - it might be worth making your curtains and then making seperate linings to go in them to remove for washing.........of course if you're going for tab top curtains that's not so easy but you can always attach them with velcro or poppers to the curtains.

Let us know how you get on with it.:D

northender

Hi

The blackout lining fabric is either white or cream/off white and very thick. You can either use it as a lining for curtains or on it's own to make a roller blind. What I did in the end in dd's room which has a big bay window was curtains in the 2 small side bits in a n animal print and then a roller blind across the middle in just the blackout lining fabric. As the window is so big my local fabric warehouse didn't have a roller blind kit big enough so I bought one online.

I was lucky that the blackout lining matched the curtain fabric and I'm quite happy with it. Unless the window is very small I think it would be hard to do a roller blind with fabric and lining.

Hope that made some sort of sense!

stargirl73

northender wrote: »

Hi

The blackout lining fabric is either white or cream/off white and very thick. You can either use it as a lining for curtains or on it's own to make a roller blind. What I did in the end in dd's room which has a big bay window was curtains in the 2 small side bits in a n animal print and then a roller blind across the middle in just the blackout lining fabric. As the window is so big my local fabric warehouse didn't have a roller blind kit big enough so I bought one online.

I was lucky that the blackout lining matched the curtain fabric and I'm quite happy with it. Unless the window is very small I think it would be hard to do a roller blind with fabric and lining.

Hope that made some sort of sense!

Ooh -that's a good idea! Hadn't thought about making the blind out of just the black out stuff - that would be much easier! Duh!

It is a small window - which in itself presents a problem, but I think I can surmount that (she says hopefully!)

That'll leave me with loads of the jolly printed material. What else could I make - bearing in mind my very limited sewing abilities?

Thanks for the help;)

D&DD

Normally I make the blackout lining curtain seperately so it can be taken off when you want to wash the curtains.You can hook in on or off as needed then with the curtain hooks;)
Matching bits and bobs..ooh you can line some little wicker baskets,make a laundry bag,toybags,nappy stacker,fabric cubes,cushions

stargirl73

D&DD wrote: »

Normally I make the blackout lining curtain seperately so it can be taken off when you want to wash the curtains.You can hook in on or off as needed then with the curtain hooks;)
Matching bits and bobs..ooh you can line some little wicker baskets,make a laundry bag,toybags,nappy stacker,fabric cubes,cushions

Cor! You're brilliant! Thanks - will do ALL those!

D&DD

lol if you need any instructions just ask

stargirl73

D&DD wrote: »

lol if you need any instructions just ask

You might regret saying that! :rotfl:

lunatickles

Hi,

I have a roll of black out fabric that needs cleaning before using. Does anyone know if it is OK to stick in the washing machine.

Thanks