Making A Massive Blackout Interlined Roman Blind With Commentary

[@TheCatLover2]

Fantastic video and thank you for sharing your information. I really like the addition of buckram at the top.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Glad it was helpful! Yes, the buckram method makes it very neat but stable and has been around for a while now. 🙂👍

[@patriciaingraldi4719]

Great video. Brought me back years to so much hand sewing. Thank you.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Thanks for the lovely comment 🙂

[@overlocker534]

Thank you so much for sharing how you make your interlined romans. Its always really interesting to see other curtain makers methods and one can always learn great tips form your videos.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Thank you for your kind comments. I'm so glad the video was useful.

[@kathycoombs2698]

SO GREAT !!! I am tired just watching you!! LOL! Such a beautiful job !! I haven't seen the "header mechanism " before, so much easier !! I also liked how you added the buckram to the top before the velcro. I simply love watching all of your tips, so very helpful. ( I am still making my velvet panel, coming along nicely, thanks to you )

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Don't let the fast speed fool you, I don't rush around these days LOL...... and thank you so much for your lovely comments. Yes, that type of headrail is pretty standard here in the UK now. They're very strong and easy to use. The buckram heading method was developed by a lovely friend and fellow furnisher Mary Grice. She also has a fantastic tool for calculating the rod spacings on Roman blinds if you ever need it 👍

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

.... also very glad your velvet project is taking shape. I'd love to see it when you're done x

[@catsoon2896]

I don't know what to say, just how nice and tidy your sewing is, but for your experience it is so great that you don't even use a ruler to measure the hem some time or when you matches the pattern, thumbs up. I wish I could reach half of your experience then I will be over the moon

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Oh that's so lovely, thank you. It's all just down to experience though. I've been doing this job for many years and made many many curtains. Just keep going, keep practicing and you'll get quicker and it'll become easier over time. X

[@catsoon2896]

@@WindmillCurtainRoom thanks 👍

[@laurenmorgan6439]

Thanks!

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Thank you so much 😊🥰

[@mattgibson6426]

Great tip on the horizontal lining seam for oversized shades. Thanks. 😊

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Thanks for your lovely comment Matt. Yes, it's a great way to hide those seams and make a much less cluttered blind/shade 🙂👍

[@lisamccaff9217]

Incredible skills at work here! Wow

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

How kind, thank you Lisa ☺💛

[@darlenerobinson3691]

Enjoyed and learnt a lot from your video, thank you!

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

You're welcome Darlene. Thank you 😍

[@pamn5401]

Fabulous tutorial

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Thanks Pam, glad you liked it 😃👍

[@sandraharvey6488]

Amazing!! So talented.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

How kind. Thank you 🙂

[@darlenerobinson3691]

Would love to see slower version of you stitching the lining to the main fabric.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hopefully you've seen that now in the Patreon version 😉👍

[@lamoskgr]

Genius idea! 👏🏾👏🏾❤️👏🏾❤️👏🏾❤️

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Thank you very much 😀💛

[@ameliazarych7662]

Always a joy to watch you work, you even manage to make a mammoth blind look effortless to work on! Can I ask what size double heading you use for when you add the buckram/velcro? I've read in a few places different things as I understand it's personal preference. But for calculating fabric quantities what would you allow for a roman blind heading and hem allowances? Thank you for all your great tips and techniques, please keep the videos coming they're fantastic.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Thank you Amelia, such nice comments. I'll be honest, the size of my heading can vary depending on the fabric. I don't stick slavishly to one size if say, it means having to allow for a whole extra pattern repeat just to get it but I generally allow for a 30mm to 50mm hem once turned. I therefore allow 10cm for the top and 10cm for the hem at the bottom where I can but if I've only got say, 6cm for the top and 5cm for the bottom, I'll manage with that and just turn less under rather than have to order another full repeat. Hope that makes sense 😳

[@ameliazarych7662]

@@WindmillCurtainRoom thank you, that does make sense! Good to know that there are no hard and fast rules and it's really about working with what you have to minimise wastage. Thanks so much!

[@bobbin33]

Ji Justine Thank you for sharing your knowledge. They are clear and easy to follow. I am new to blind making and have a question that you may have already answered.....do you ever make the rod pockets using the blackout lining, so instead of 4 layers they're wold be 3-fabric, interlining, and blackout lining?

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi there and thanks for your lovely comment. I generally avoid making rod pockets from blackout lining as stitching it punches lots of little holes in that can really show with bright daylight behind it. Interlining does help that but not always 100% so I keep the stitching of blackout down to the bare minimum and one way to do that is to use it inside like an interlining.

[@creationsoffarzid1154]

@@WindmillCurtainRoom : Hi, I wondered why an interlining is needed at all in this blind if the blackout can act as a lining layer in of itself ? And when so many layers are sewn onto the face fabric, does it show up as many pin points dotted around ?

[@annalaurie741]

This was great...I watched it in awe. Thank you. I have made a blind now - successfully I hope. I didn't use a head-rail as you did in this video. The blind was for a window 133cm X 183cm and had blackout lining and lining. I used a wood batten and velcro. Do you think the velcro will hold that kind of weight ok? Thanks.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi Anna, I'm so glad the video helped you and definitely yes, the velco will hold. If you think about it, ask the weight of the blind is on the cords that pull the blind up and down. Really the velcro is only there to hold the top of the blind straight.

[@salamandraeest6785]

Do you always interline your blinds? And what interlining are you using? It looks a lot thinner than the one I use for curtains. Also if you were using blackout for curtains would you use the same method and have four layers of fabric?

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi there, I use different linings and interlining for different jobs depending on the finish required. I usually use bonded interlining, but I didn't have any in stock when the client made a late change, so I had to use separate layers, which totalled 4 instead of the usual 3. However, not all are blackout lined, and not all are even interlined, so it can vary enormously. The same goes for curtains but what I would never do is use bonded interlining in curtains. Normally the interlining in curtains varies from std synthetic to the heavy weight cotton bump.

[@sarahbush9979]

Hi thanks for sharing! is it possible to use Roman blind pocket tape and sewing to the outer lining rather than making your own pockets out of lining? I’ve noticed most seem to make their own pockets out of lining for the rods thanks!

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi there, I'm so sorry for the late reply. I missed this comment. Yes, absolutely you can use tape and just machine it on the lining first.

[@rosedropscurtains_blinds]

I've recently started making roman blinds. However I'm struggling in calculating spacing for the rod pockets. Is there formula or a template available?

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi 👋 my method is to deduct 60mm from the drop first to allow for the headrail then divide the rest up into roughly 300mm spacings with a half space at the bottom. You need to know how many spaces you'll have before you can calculate and get the exact measurements. If you want to save your brainpower though... there's a brilliant online calculator available from my lovely friend Mary Grice. You can find it here and it'll do all the calculating for you.... www.romanblind-wizard.co.uk/

[@rosedropscurtains_blinds]

Hey there Thank you

[@terenaboreham9212]

Hi. Brilliant video. I had to make one of these myself for a customer, it was quite heavy fabric, and the customer insisted on blackout lining. My question is “ What head rail did you use. I ordered a heavy duty one, and because the blind was so heavy, the rail broke. Thank you.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Thanks for your lovely comment 🙏... I'd recommend weighing the blind to ensure you get a headrail man enough for the job and then look at Silent Gliss for up to approx 6kg or Evans for something really heavy duty up to 25kg.

[@Gaurgeous]

What about pinhole that were made during stichting and sewing on black out lining

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi there. The interlining, face fabric and final back lining layers all help to hide any pin holes left in the blackout lining. As long as the stitches are tiny the holes don't show.

[@kevinbridgeman6866]

When you attach the lining to face fabric do you go from top to bottom or bottom to top ? I have trouble with pin holes 🕳 when the blind is up at the window, the sun comes through where I have sewn through the blackout lining . When you attach the lining you are sewing into the black out, does that not create holes. Hope that makes sense ? Thanks

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi Kevin, I actually work from the middle to the bottom, then go to the other side (or spin the blind round on the table) and work from the middle to the top. That minimises the amount in pulling the blind back and forth on the table. Generally I use bonded blackout so the holes tend not to show as the fleece seems to heal over the holes. I also never do stab stitches right through, just tiny locking stitches in each layer.

[@Sasha-ce4tu]

Do you use strong cotton to lock

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi Sandra, no just standard single thickness machine thread. Then if it gets caught or pulled inside it can break relatively easily.

[@Sasha-ce4tu]

Hi along the sides of the roman is the interlining turn in 2in with the face fabric and herringbone down the both sides .......or is the interlining laid flat, and the face fabric brought over 2in on both sides of the roman, then herringbone.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi Sandra you may want to consider joining my Patreon channel as a Trade Pro member as I tend not to include too much in depth information and detailed tutorials on my public KZbin channel. www.patreon.com/TheWindmillWorkroom

[@Sasha-ce4tu]

OK I will think about joining, I will leave the two blinds, I ve already put together, and test them on my headrail,system. Thank you

[@darlenerobinson3691]

Do you do the same stitching method when it is only main fabric and lining? Stitching of each rod pocket to main fabric? You must sew the tiniest of stitches.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Yes, it's the same stitching method for all the layers. When I do the front layer I'm particularly careful to ensure I only catch one or two threads of the face fabric and not to pull the stitches too tight but yes, while not particularly close together, they are tiny stitches.

[@CarolMCyr]

Does this method cover the pinholes of light from stitching the blackout lining?

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Yes Carol, as there's a layer of interlining in there too it blocks the holes from pins and stitching. The same applies if you use a bonded blackout lining inside instead of the separate layers I used in this one.

[@CarolMCyr]

@@WindmillCurtainRoom thanks...pinholes are always an issue!

[@dianahuntingford3226]

Hello do you sew all three materials together along the line of the pocket for the baton or do you sew two together and then add the third and sew that to the other two. If you used black out material for the pockets how would the light show through the holes if they are at the back of the blind?

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi there 👋 The first 2 layers, sewn on together at the same time, were the interlining and blackout lining. Then I added the final lining on the back after I'd seen the rod pockets in place. Putting any stitches in blackout lining punches a little hole in it for light to come through. Added the rid pockets to blackout creates lots of those little holes in a line so can show up badly in a sunny room. It's also a bit thicker so doesn't fold so well and isn't as nice as std curtain lining for the reverse.

[@helenfathers8686]

I am loving watching your videos - I am currently setting up my first business after doing my NDA diploma a couple of years ago and amd very inspired (and nervous!) After doing lots of curtains I am branching out into romans - what headrails do you use as standard if you don't mind me asking ? Please keep the videos coming !

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Ooh I'm just about to do a new Roman blind video as I have updates on the Integral return method. I use one of my favourite headrails on that so keep an eye out. I actually use several suppliers depending on the job's budget, weight or fixing requirements but in the main I use the following: For standard weight and sized blinds I use Decorquip mostly but there are many other suppliers that do the same standard headrail. For made to measure headrails I like Tulip and for really heavy or super big blinds I use Silent Gliss. Hope that helps and good luck with your new venture 😀👍

[@helenfathers8686]

@@WindmillCurtainRoom thank you so for this ! Really helpful and I will keep an eye out

[@Sasha-ce4tu]

How do match your blinds if the drops are different.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

If you mean for the pattern in the fabric then it can depend on a couple of things. If the top edge of each blind is the at the same height then cut the fabric so that the pattern matches at the top. If the bottom edges are at the same height then cut to match at the bottom. If they're different then it really is just a case of judging it too see what looks best. If the blinds are different drops but you want them to pull up to the same width when fully up then that's a whole other video.

[@Sasha-ce4tu]

When you cut your fabric for a roman do you start at the top ,

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi Sandra, I'm not sure what you're asking. Do you mean for the pattern placement?

[@Sasha-ce4tu]

Hi I made 3 blinds and made sure they were centred, the were all different drops.But I notice the tops of the blinds did not match.

[@Sasha-ce4tu]

Really want to ask another question and it is regarding wave head curtain.How to calculator the correct amount fullness of fabric required for each track,as I understand You multiply by 2.5, then add you 10cm side tunings, then you multiply you cutting length by the width of you fabric,plus add 15cm for you turnings. ????

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

@@Sasha-ce4tu ooh that doesn't sound right or at least it doesn't sound necessary. It's important not to put too much fullness in as you can't lose it anywhere and you risk the curtains running up against the wall and 2.5 X fullness sounds too much. The usual amount is 2.1-2.2 X fullness but it does depend on the system you're using so it's not a straightforward answer I'm afraid. My next trade pro video tutorial over on Patreon is all about Wave; the different systems, tapes, measuring and making methods so you may want to consider joining for some more advanced info if you're in the trade. J

[@pamelacronin910]

Where is the comme notary after the initial description- justmusic?

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi, there are several moments during the video where I add voice-over commentary to describe what I am doing, but as the description says, it's mostly timelapse. More detailed step by step tutorials are available to makers in the trade over on my Patreon channel. www.patreon.com/WindmillCurtainRoom

[@darlenerobinson3691]

How far apart are the Folds? 8”?

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

It varies with the drop of the blind but I generally work to an optimum spacing of about 30cm/12". I think these were a little less.

[@jankizkhanz]

Hi I was trying to source the Roman blind slotted rod tape but I couldn’t find it anywhere but in UK ! Could you help me in sourcing the manufacturer? And have you tried this slotted tape, is it good and will make life easier when it comes to Roman blinds? If you could please help find the supplier coz I wanna buy a 1000 meters .

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi there. I only know of suppliers in the UK but I'm sure standard slotted Roman blind tape would be available in other countries. I'm sure a UK supply would supply you though if you needed such a quantity. I used to use the slotted tape a lot more than I do these days and it's much more efficient than creating rod pockets as I tend to do more often now. It very much depends what finish you would like for your blinds and how you'll be lining them as to whether it'll be right for you.

[@jankizkhanz]

@@WindmillCurtainRoom what you’re doing is really a lot of work! Omg 😱 I mean why are you using this method? Is it because you don’t want to see machine stitching on the face fabric ? I mean using a slotted tape is much easier! I’ve never done that before! I mean what’s this new school of thought about Roman blinds? And how do you make plain voile Roman blind? Just plain linen sheer voile? Do you machine stitch slotted tape or you also make your own pockets? Could you make a video about a Roman blind with only 1 lining ..no interlining.. just face fabric and lining . I use a very very simple method. I have made a table specially for Roman blinds. Marked the edges and bottom for the weight rail ! All i do is spread tge fabric and iron it’s edges and bottom on the marked lines and when i finish ironing i have a 2 meters T-square that i use to mark the slotted tape line and then pin everything together and then ready for machining! I really get nice results and clean finish

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

What you're describing using slotted tape, is just another method of making. When I first made Roman blinds 30 years ago I used that method and still do now occasionally when the customer wants more of a budget option. The method I'm depicting here in this video is a fully hand made method using traditional techniques and with no stitching showing on the front. Most bespoke curtainmakers in the UK use this method. As voile blinds have no lining to make the rod pockets from I would either make them by creating folds at the voile itself (not good for patterned voiles) to form rod pockets or I would use a translucent rod pocket tape.

[@jankizkhanz]

@@WindmillCurtainRoom btw about the table ! Don’t make it white (because it’s extremely bright and if ur working on white voiles u won’t see the threads when ur trying to cut after pulling threads) and don’t use mfc (because it’s extremely sensitive and slippery for fabrics and scissors ) or mdf ( also slippery and sensitive ) keep ur table as it is ! I will try making a Roman Blind no show stitches with one lining! And making folds on voiles seems intimidating:) cause I don’t know if a soft mellow voile is easy control:))) beautiful work and technique 😘

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Thanks. I've had many tables over the years and had a painted white table with grid lines before and loved it so I'll be painting my current plywood table once it's been relocated..... hopefully for the last time.

[@RosanneBerryman-r5v]

Looks fabulous but hardly any verbal description, the music cuts in

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hello. This video is described as 'mostly timelapse' so it's not a how-to video, as such. I reserve the many, more detailed, instructional videos for trade curtain makers in an attempt to protect curtain making skills and methods acquired over many years of studying, oftentimes at great cost. Having said that, there are many key moments in the video where I describe what I am doing. Please see the timestamp list for those moments.

[@darlenerobinson3691]

How big is your table?

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

My table is 2m long x 2.3m wide / 78 3/4" wide x 126" long do it's quite big for a small workroom.

[@Susan-vu9nn]

I don’t understand your horizontal seams and why only one if you are using them as rod pockets.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Hi Susan, standard linings aren't wide enough to use in one piece on blinds this big so rather that do a traditional vertical join at each side of the blind that can't be hidden I do one join and turn the lining horizontally so I can hide that join in a rod pocket.

[@jwilliams9468]

Wow!

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

☺️

[@frontloader0]

Hi I am in the trade how can in join you trade Channel thank you

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

I see you found your way 😀👍💛

[@ppwendypp]

Too much music I'm afraid...had to leave what might have a brilliant tutorial. Trying to concentrate is impossible over the background noise.

[@WindmillCurtainRoom]

Oh OK. Bye then 👋