Blind Assembly: Materials
Blind rod and hardware (see below for details.)
Double-sided tape
Fabric, in a suitable length - I used 6.5 metres of fabric for three blinds
Anti-scuff fluid
Cutting board and rotary cutter
Ruler and pencil
12mm (½") round hardwood dowels, cut to the width of the blinds
Fabric hardening spray; something like Stiffen Stuff, not spray starch. (Hardener can also be made with 1 tablespoon of PVA glue and 250ml of warm water, which is what I did.)
Sewing machine + thread, or hemming tape
Iron, towel and a large flat ironing surface
Blind Assembly: Steps
The blinds themselves are not difficult to assemble, but they do require attention to detail. It's worth double checking all the measurements and cuts. You can do it!
1. Decide on the size of fabric you need. I used the hardware for a standard 900mm (3ft) blind, but the rod itself is only 860mm wide to allow room for the brackets to be mounted. So the fabric also has to be 860mm wide. As for the length, I used the standard 2.1m length.
2. Using a ruler, pencil and rotary cutter, carefully measure and cut the fabric panels. It's best to use a T-square at this point.
3. Once the fabric is cut, apply a coat of anti-fray liquid to both sides of the fabric and leave to dry. This way there won't be a heavy hem to catch the brackets.
4. At the bottom edge of the fabric you'll need to make a pocket for the dowel. I sewed a blind seam as shown, a 2" pocket with a 1/2" inseam, and ironed it in place before running the machine. The dowel will slide right into the pocket, but don't touch it just yet. Hem tape works well if you don't want to use a machine.
5. Hang the fabric on a clothesline or shower rod and spray it with fabric hardener. Use enough so that the fabric is damp but not dripping, then let it dry thoroughly. (You don't want too much hardener, or it will be hard to iron. I speak from experience.) I know homemade PVA hardener sounds fishy, but don't worry, the fabric won't feel gummy or plasticky after it dries; it's just hard-to-the-touch fabric.
6. Iron the dry fabric on a large, flat surface, if possible. (My iron is my kitchen countertop covered with as many towels as I can find.) Place 1-2 layers of towels between the iron and the fabric, or the iron will stick to the hardened fabric.
7. Trim the top edge of the fabric so that it's straight and secure it to the rod with double-sided tape. Once it's in place, insert the dowels into the hem and carefully roll up the blind. That's it! It's ready for mounting hardware and brackets.
