Welcome to the No-Sew Decorating Showcase!
I have joined up with five other fabulous Bloggers to bring you a
mix of No-Sew Decorating Projects.
Deb @ Confessions of a Plate Addict
Yvonne @ Stone Gable Suzy @ Worthing Court
Ann @ On Sutton Place and Amy @ Atta Girl Says
Please make sure you visit each site and check out the
projects they are sharing for this event.
In the beginning planning stages, I was going to share a
recovered lamp shade I recently completed. Who doesn’t love
an easy recovered lampshade project right?
But, when looking at my Blogging Calendar, I already had
a lampshade project to share this week.
Did you see it?
Yes, it’s a Christmas Lamp.
I went all ho-ho-ho on ya’!
Don’t worry, I haven’t completely lost my jingle bells, it was
part of the Lamps Plus Holiday Lamp Challenge for their
upcoming Holiday catalog.
Once, I realized this – I hated to share another lamp project for
fear you would think I was being shade-y.
Bwahahahahaha!
But, then a bulb went off in my head –
(okay, enough lamp humor)
and I remembered that I had promised to share my
No-Sew #7 Valance from my Summer Home Tour.
I decided to show you a slightly different variation…because I just
discovered this super fun product and couldn’t wait to share it,
and this would be the perfect event for it.
It’s actually two projects in one…
Make Your Own Chevon Fabric…for Cheap!
and
No-Sew {faux} Roman Shade.
What is the uber cool product that made this project so easy?
Frog Tape’s Shape Tape in a Chevron Pattern.
I know right?
UBER cool!
I was going to put together this professionally produced
How-To Video, with sound effects and it’s own original music score.
But, the director wasn’t available (that would be my son!) –
so I decided to just use the ole’ standby…. how-to pics.
Here we go…
(Oh for the record, I am creating a mini 16×16
version as its easier to photograph.)
Step 1:
Gather your “sewing” supplies. That would be your fabric,
some scissors, a measuring tape, iron-on hemming tape and
a very hot Iron.
(plus a nice hard surface to work on)
* I get my Iron-On Tape at Walmart, but most craft and
fabric stores will carry it.
Step 2:
Measure your window width. Add 2″. Decide the total length you
want your shade to be. Add at least 12″ extra.
This will allow for the pleat gathering at the bottom.
Cut your fabric to these measurements.
Step 3:
Turn the edge of your fabric over 1/2″ and iron down in place.
Turn your edge over another 1/2″ – and iron that down to create a
clean edge.
Do this on both outside edges.
Step 3:
Measure the necessary length of iron-on hemming tape.
Place it under the ironed edge, as shown.
Fold the ironed edge down over the hemming tape, and using a
very hot iron and a bit of pressure, iron the edge to create a bond.
The hemming tape will “melt” to adjoin the two edges, creating
a neat and tidy seam.
* Again, repeat this on the sides, only.
Step 5:
Cut a small mitered corner at the bottom of each corner.
Otherwise, your corner will look bulky and the fabric will overlap.
Iron the first 1/2″ seam. Repeat for the second 1/2″ seam,
just as you did on the sides.
Add the hemming tape, and iron to create a bottom seam.
Step 6:
Turn your “hemmed” fabric and apply a final ironing, if needed.
The Shape Tape has a paper backing which is easy to pull off and
apply to your surface.
I eyed the placement of the tape… but all of you measurephobes
may want to mark the edges to help you get straight lines.
I used two small pieces of tape to help me establish the correct width.
(see above)
I just kept moving the “spacers” up as each new layer of
tape was applied.
(see below)
I completed covered my hemmed, fabric square
with the Shape Tape.
Step 7:
I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Provence.
You could also probably use regular craft paint, and I have used
plain ole’ latex house paint before, too.
The secret is to make sure your tape edges are very secure to the fabric
so paint does not seep under.
I used a small 4″ roller. Apply the paint until you are happy with
the coverage. I went with an all-over coverage, but you could use
a light hand and also create the faded grain-sack look which I
used for my #7 Valance.
Once you are happy with the coverage –
… carefully remove the tape from the fabric.
Step 8:
Do the happy dance because the Frog Tape did not allow
any seepage and you have smooth, clear lines.
Step 9:
To attach your shades to your windows, you can do as I did and use
a 1×1 cut to fit the width of the shade. I pre-drilled the ends.
When I hung the #7 Valances, I simply used a small tack nail
and nailed the board right into the trim of the window using
the pre-drilled holes at the end as a guide.
But, you may not want to do that, or if you do not have wood
trim around your windows, you may need to use a drywall molly
and screw to hang.
To attach the shade to the board, simply staple it onto the back of the
board, as shown below.
Step 10:
Create “pleats” that mimic the look of a roman shade by making folds
along the fabric horizontally, stacking each fold one over the other
until you get the length of shade you desire.
A small dab of hot glue under each fold will hold the pleat in place.
Once you hang your new Chevon Shade, you can stand back and
pat yourself on the back.
After you pat yourself on the back, look over at your Iron,
wink and say…
“you did good, girlfriend.”
I do have a slightly different option if you wanted to show the
Chevon pattern a little more…
By simply gathering up the ends with some thread and a few loops,
you can create an entirely different look.
This is what I will be doing when we makeover Miss C’s room.
Instead of a Chevron, I will be using a Damask Stencil.
So you see…with some paint and/or tape and a stencil….
you can create your own fabric for very little money.
The possibilities are endless.
So there you have it!
My No-Sew Decorating Project. I hope you liked it.
If you would like to see five other awesome projects… please visit
the following sites today …
{No-Sew Basket Liners}
{No-Sew Fashion-Isnpired Chair with Fabric Rosettes}
{No-Sew Changeable Pillow Covers}
{No-Sew Burlap Lavender Sachet}
{No-Sew Monogrammed Throw}
Before I go…you want to make sure you remind yourself to
come back tomorrow. I have an awesome surprise for you.
I will be interviewing Marion, Miss Mustard Seed.
I asked her a series of questions which she kindly answered,
and I love her responses. But, that’s not all.
Have you heard of her incredible book, Inspired You?
I am giving away not one, but TWO of these books to two
incredibly lucky Everyday Home followers.
See you on Friday!
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Confessions of a Plate Addict says
What a fun way to create your own fabric! I love it, Barb! And the Roman shade tute will come in handy at my daughter’s house very soon! Thanks for being the brains behind our bunch! 🙂 Love ya!…hugs…Debbie
View Commentlaura@Top This Top That says
super cute and great tutorial. this is a clever little series. have a great day!
View CommentYvonne @ StoneGable says
What a brilliant idea, Barb! I’d just love to get into that creative head for a day and see all the fabulous ideas you have! The chevron roman shade came out wonderfully! LOVE the design!!!!
View CommentThanks for putting all of this together. You are amazing, my friend!
Sherry says
What a great idea! I’ve been looking for a way to make homemade chevron fabric. Love what you did!
View CommentPatty at Home and Lifestyle Design says
Very cool. That look lovely. Amazing what you can do with some frog tape.
View CommentThanks, Patty
KATHYSUE says
Who knew that they had this kind of tape, it is new to me, what a great idea and made your project so doable! Fun no-sew project that I am sure many will love to try, Great job Barb!
View CommentMarty Walden says
I love these! One day I’m going to have cool shades, too. One day…….
View CommentSuzy @ Worthing Court says
I just love your shade, Barb. And what a great way to use the Frog Tape. The shade turned out so cute. It looks great gathered too. Can’t wait to see the one you make for Miss C’s room. How cool that you were able in interview Marion!
View CommentAtta Girl Amy says
You’re so clever, Barb. I may have just changed my mind about the window treatment in my office.
Thanks for including me in the no-sew challenge.
View CommentAnn says
I finally made it here! What a busy day…thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of the No Sew Extravaganza! I loved it. Your chevron blind is darling. I like both versions…great pics and tutorial too. I have no idea what to do next month but I’ll come up with something…can’t wait!
View CommentJenna says
Well now, how brilliant are you! What a fabulous product! I must must must get some immediately! Thank you for the very thorough tutorial!!
View CommentJenna
Nancy says
This is a great decor solution for windows. Thanks for the step by step directions with pictures and the inspiring color combinations. Thanks for sharing your talents. Have a nice fall.
View CommentNancy in wi
The Style Sistersa says
This is aaaamzaing!! so creative! Please come link up to Centerpiece Wednesday on my blog and share this post with us. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/09/welcome-to-centerpiece-wednesday-91.html
View CommentKarin
Suzanne says
Love both the chevron and the grain sack versions. It is amazing how the paint and patterns totally changes the look.
View CommentThanks for the inspiration,
Suzanne
Pieced Pastimes
PS-Would love to have you link this up to Saturday Sparks. Links are open till Friday.
The DIY Homegirl says
Hello! I featured your tutorial in my blog series, Living in a White Box. My series features tips, inspiration, and ideas for how to decorate rental homes. Your no-sew roman shades were perfect for my latest post as they’re a simple yet lovely way to dress up windows.
If you like, you can grab a featured button and check out my post at Living in a White Box: Mini-Blind Madness. Thanks for sharing your amazing creativity!
View CommentErin Truitt says
Love this idea! We have an old 1950s house that has plaster and lathe walls so it is a pain to try to screw things into it! Is there a certain fabric you used to make the roman shades? Or will any kind of fabric work?
View CommentBarb says
Hi Erin, glad this idea will work for you. I actually used a small painters drop cloth. I love the look of the fabric (I used a more tan than a gray) and it also has a great weight so it hangs well. Plus, it takes paint easily and does not run. Lastly, its cheap. 😀 Good luck and hope this helps. ~Barb
View Comment