Goodday ladies, another Monday has rolled around and I thought it was about time I showed you how I made my double layered folding curtains (otherwise known as roman blinds).
 [pinit]
Because basically that is what I have done. I have created two layers of folding blinds. And the big trick is that both sets of blinds are mounted on the same hardware.Â
This project was a long time in the making. In fact I started thinking about it already during  the first winter in our house (now nine years ago). I had gone for the beauty factor when we moved in (in the summer) and bought floor length curtains that covered the whole wall including the bay window.Â
When closed they also covered the main radiator….
And in winter it gets cold, and one needs heat, and the heat got trapped behind the curtains. So we started to leave the curtains open in the middle to let the warm air out. It made vegging on the couch Al Bundy style, a bit hard to do, because open curtains at night means people looking in.Â
So the wheels started turning right away, how could I fix this, preferably in a eye-pleasing way.Â
I had a few challenges:Â
First I definitely wanted to keep the sheer roman blinds we had now, they provide excellent daytime privacy and look great. Second the budget was limited. Three both the man and I had to like the outcome.Â
So I considered several options and had to dismiss them all.Â
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 So now you understand why this took me so long. And believe me I searched high and low for a ready made solution. And when I decided that I needed to have two folding shades over each other I was convinced there would be hardware to match that idea. When I went to several specialty shops and window covering experts they all looked at me as if I had gone bonkers. It just did not exist.Â
No other solution, I had to make them myself…..
Here is how I made my double layered roman blinds. I forgot to photograph some details, so I apologize in advance, but heck what are the odds that you are faced with exactly the same challenge anyway….Â
I began by pinning the existing sheer roman blinds, while they were still hanging, at the height I wanted to keep them, .
Then I replaced the drawing cord (the original one stayed in the hardware) and secured that to the top at the proper length. This layer would stay fixed at this length now, which was okay because I never lowered it anyway, only to take them down for washing and I would still be able to do that.Â
I stitched the cord to the top while I also stitched a new strip of Velcro to the front of the panel (you see the back here that already had Velcro).Â
I stuck the rough side of the Velcro on the back of my existing hardware (sorry no pics). That only just worked out, because the back wasn’t a nicely straight side like the front. I fully expect to have to apply some extra glue to this Velcro from time to time. But so far it is holding up great.
Now the hardware was free to be used for the top layer.Â
I used the original measurements I had for the sheer blinds and sewed three new panels out of the existing curtains. The top got some Velcro on the back to adhere to the hardware. I sewed ‘strips’ to the back that I could slide the rods into and guide the pull-up cord through.
I must say I was lucky to have a fabric with a pattern that gave me a straight line. That way I could make sure that my ‘strips’ were straight and that the pattern would run through on all three blinds.Â
And then I hang them!
And it worked!
And they look great. We have to open and close them with a bit extra attention but we are very pleased with the outcome.
Here you see the full effect when they are open:
Here they are closed (day time):
And this is the night time look:
When I came up with the plan I was planning to add faux curtains to the side to warm it all up. But we are starting to really like the open feel the windows have without the curtains on the side. The room looks a lit lighter and bigger and spacier. So most probably we will not by hanging new curtains but instead hang sconces or art work on the free walls.
So remember my January plan for this part of my living room?Â
Only the radiator cover did not get done yet. But we need it now more than ever, so we are working up the courage to tackle that.Â
That is after we tackle all the new challenges that were left after I had finished my curtain project.
There is some leftover business to take care off now that the curtains are gone and the walls are so much more obvious. We didn’t notice before how dirty the wall had gotten again. And that stupid electrical outlet a previous owner put in that ridiculous spot is a true eye-sore now. And it all is a bit bare even for our taste.
So the work continues…..
But for now I am very pleased to cross this of my list.
And my Love is very pleased too, in fact he bought me flowers just to say thanks for fixing the curtain situation.Â
I guess he is happy to be ‘doing the Al Bundy’ too 😉 .Â
Sharing this with
the Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick
That DIY Party at the DIY Show Off
Marianne Songbird is the founder of Songbird, where she hopes to inspire everyone to create a home they love, one DIY project at a time. She shares anything from craft ideas to home decor inspiration and from DIY projects to decorating hacks. Originally from the Netherlands Marianne and her husband Lex are currently renovating a 250-year-old farmhouse in Germany.
Eva says
Wat een werk, maar zeker de moeite waard!
Goedele - Old Red Barn says
Ik kan ook niet geloven dat je in de winkels niets geschikt vond. Het resultaat mag er wel zijn, ik vind de avond-look heel mooi. En tja, klein beetje kaal nu, maar dat komt ook weer in orde natuurlijk! Leuk dat je nu kan Al Bundy-en ;-).
Emilou says
Morning Marianne, wow, you are super talented! I really like the new look, and also like the idea of leaving the heavy curtains off the side walls. It really does open it up. I am blessed to live in the country with no close neighbors but I still close my blinds just to keep the heat in. Thanks for sharing. Blessings and smiles, Emilou 🙂
Stacy Risenmay says
They are beautiful! Your whole room is stunning 🙂
Marilyn says
You’re a genius, Marianne! Thanks for sharing. It looks great. I know you’ll have fun with the rest of the projects– especially the “decorate” part. 🙂
Karen says
This is gorgeous!!! Thank you for sharing.
Can you please tell me where you got that fabulous sectioned “tray”? I have been searching for one.
Marianne says
Dat ziet er goed uit! Petje af!
Groetjes, Marianne.
Lorrie says
What a great solution to your problem. Your living room looks like a lovely place to relax – Al Bundy style, if you like. Sometimes, you have to come up with answers on your own, and you did! Congratulations.
Pat says
Love this solution to the problem.
The weird outlet thingy…must have been electric roll up shades. My son in law installs these in homes around the lake that require some privacy…and they have to wait for the owners to get the proper wiring near the shade …anyway, shouldn’t be a problem to remove. I guess you know to have it taken out before you do your painting. 🙂
…because, your smart and savvy like that!
Pat
Nancy M says
Wonderful creation! Can I send you my window dimensions and have you make some for me too? 😉 I would love to have Roman shades in my bathroom but don’t like that there’s no in between to open or closed. So glad you linked up with TDC so that I could pop over and see your wonderful idea and be introduced to your blog.
Rachel says
Beautiful – really clear instructions.
Where did you get the wooden box on your window sill? Its gorgeous!
Marianne@Songbird says
Thank you!
The box is an old brick maker box that I found in my father-in-law’s basement.
Sara says
Hi there! This is EXACTLY what I need to do, I want sheer curtains for daytime privacy and a solid fabric to block out the light at night but the thing is I’m starting from scratch!
I just want to make sure I understand.. lets say you already had the sheer curtain at the correct length, are you just adding the additional curtain onto the hardware with the velcro and then the two curtains essential open and close separately but just attached to the same top rod?
Thank you!!!