How to Make Custom Bamboo Roller Blinds

If you're tired of your drab-looking, standard roller blinds; transform them from boring to fabulous with do-it-yourself, handcrafted bamboo roller blinds. Bamboo fabric is spun from the naturally antibacterial, odor-resistant fibers of the bamboo plant.

Extremely durable yet soft, bamboo fabric is an excellent material choice for roller blinds. They are absorbent in nature therefore dyes tend to penetrate deeply, allowing for deeper and more vibrant color schemes.

You can even use organic woven bamboo as a gorgeous natural accent that complements any room. Bamboo roller blinds are a snap to install and just as easy to maintain. The following tutorial will give you step-by-step instructions on how to create bamboo roller blinds that look professional as well as stylish.

Step 1 - Take Measurements

Measure the length and width of the inside of the window you are going to be installing the blinds into. Buy a sheet of bamboo fabric that is 2 inches wider and at least 8 inches longer than the window length for installation purposes.

Bamboo fabric comes in a variety of textures, so make sure to choose a fabric that is heavy and stiff enough to use for this project.

Step 2 - Prepare Fabric

Use a gentle setting to iron over the bamboo fabric to release any obvious wrinkles. You may apply a generous coating of fabric stiffener as well until you create the look and feel you desire.

Step 3 - Mount Brackets

Attach the brackets from the kit, placing them 1 1/4 inches from the top of the inside of the window frame. The pinhole bracket should always be attached to the right side of the window frame. Screw each bracket in tightly and measure the distance between them to determine your roller size.

Step 4 - Assemble Roller

Using the measurements you took from the brackets, lightly mark the roller where the cut is to be made and re-measure the marked portion for accuracy.

Cut the roller down to size and fit the end cap that came with your kit onto the cut end. Fasten the pin into the end cap and set the roller into the bracket to make sure that it fits.

Step 5 - Trim Fabric

Using the same measurements you used for the roller, measure out the fabric, mark and cut it to size. Line up the fabric to a straight edge before cutting with a pair of sharp, strong fabric scissors.

Step 6 - Insert Batten

Lay out your fabric, wrong side up. Fold the bottom of the fabric up 1.5 inches and use a thin line of fabric glue along the cut edge to seal, leaving room for the metal batten to slide into. Take the batten from your kit and cut it approximately one inch shorter than the width of the blind fabric.

Slide the batten into the casing at the bottom of the fabric, and glue the openings at either side shut. Take the cord and acorn from your kit and push the cord through the acorn, knotting it. Then push the other end into the cord holder and knot it into place. Screw the assembled piece into the center of the batten casing.

Step 7 - Mark Roller

Take the roller and lay it on a flat surface. Use the measuring tape to mark a line across the roller and check to make sure that it is straight. Take your double-sided tape and lay a long piece directly across the line to hold the fabric in place.

Step 8 - Attach Fabric

Turn your fabric so that the outer side of it faces up. With the spring positioned on the left, place the roller close to the top edge leaving approximately two inches of fabric out at the top. Grasp each edge of the fabric and slowly line the edges in a straight line over the adhesive tape.

Once attached, check your fabric to make sure that it lines up with the roller with both sides falling in a straight line before stapling the fabric to the roller. Carefully roll the fabric around the roller, keeping the fabric even and tight onto the roller. Roll the fabric around twice and fit it into the bracket.

Adjust the fabric as necessary to achieve the desired length.