Project: 1:6 Scale Blinds

Blinds are easy to make, but I had to figure out a way to attach them to an arched window. I didn't want them to be a permanent fixture, as I change my walls around to make different rooms and the curtains will need to fit the new room's décor.

I made a template by tracing around the top of the window frame. I used paper first, then transferred it onto 5mm Foam Board.

Then I cut it out using a Stanley Knife, leaving a 13mm (1/2 inch) boarder. I shall keep the piece I removed as a template for further curtains or blinds.

Then I did a test fit by placing it over my window frame. The total measurement of my blind width will be 18cm (approximately 7 inches).

Hubby cut several craft dowels to the same width for me and I chose a pink and white stripe fabric to match the Kiddies Kitchen décor.

I cut my fabric wide enough to have side seams and long enough to cover the length I wanted, plus hems at the top and bottom.

I like to fold the side seam over once & press, then a second time & press, doing the same to the other side. Then I stitched it down (you could glue down using Tacky Glue if you don't sew). 

The rod that goes in the bottom needs to be heavier than the dowels, so I used a small offcut of 5mm MDF. Then I marked the positions of where I wanted the dowels to go, by ironing a crease mark.

I folded the fabric right sides together along the crease marks and stitched across the blind 7mm (about 1/4 inch) below each fold. Then I inserted the dowels. Next I hemmed the bottom and inserted the MDF.

Then I turned the blind over and positioned the loose folds evenly.

Then I added tacky glue to the arch before placing and pinning the blind in position.

I carefully turned the whole thing over and glued down the top. The blind is about a mm or two wider than the arch, so you don't see it when it's up on the window.

The blind in position, in the Kiddies Kitchen. You may notice I have painted the walls pink and tiled the floor since I last shared a photo of the Kiddies Kitchen.

I also decided to make a "roller" blind for the library at the same time, but without the dowels. 

On this blind I stitched some braid trim across the bottom, but I still need to add a pull ring or perhaps a tiny tassel.