Still in the kitchen.
You ever started a project--what you thought would be a simple project,
and one thing leads to another, as you discover kinks along the way?
Moving one thing means having to move other things,
painting one thing means having to paint other things?
This is what's happening in our beloved "heart of our home".
But, I am learning some things along the way.
Goody for you--I play nicely with others,
and I am going to share what I am learning with you!!
Today, I will share how, because I couldn't find the EXACT size of bamboo shade
needed for the window over the sink, I cut it to the size needed.
Neither Lowe's nor The Home Depot would help me.
They only cut the Levelor blinds, not "common" Ambria shades.
So, here we go.
How to Cut Bamboo Blinds and Shades
- Measure your window, and decide how much shade you'd like inside or outside your window.
I DID NOT want an inside mount,
I wanted the shade to hang outside the edges of the window 2" on each side.
That meant a 42" shade.
- Go buy your a slightly larger shade than the width you need. Make sure the header frame mounting material is wood, or bamboo.
I got a 48" shade.
- You will need a fine tooth hacksaw, tape measure, masking tape, a marker, and a miter box (the box is not really necessary). You can also cut the shade with an electric chop saw if you have one, but most of us don't, or are scared of them, so a hand saw is what we use.
- Cut off the end of the plastic packaging slighly further than the width you need to cut. The wrapping will help hold the shade into a roll while you cut.
- Divide the total inches you need to saw off in half, this is how much you will saw off each end. Mark around the circumference of the blind.
So, to make a 42" shade:
48" minus 6" divided by 2 = 3" off each side!
There! Your homeschool math lesson for the day!
- Start sawing. It helps to have a professional work bench, like I do.
- Saw some more.
- Keep going.
- Get a Bandaid. Owie.
- Almost through.
- Tamp the cut side on a flat surface, so the end will be flat/even on the other side when you cut through it.
- Flip the blind and repeat on the other side.
The second time, I got smart (at least to my way of thinking)
and tightly taped the blind with masking tape, inside the cutting line.
This helped hold it firmly, while I hacked away at it.
Do this for both ends from the start--and maybe no blister for you.
I took a picture for you of the blind I cut,
side by side with a blind that was fresh from the package- factory cut.
Don't they look the same?
That's more better.
You can also cut the slatted (these are matchstick) bamboo blinds this way.
As of today, my boo-boo is healed, thanks for asking!
Proverbs 31:16-17
Leslie version:
She considers a blind and buys it;
From her earnings she covers the window.
She works out by sawing and gains strength
From her earnings she covers the window.
She works out by sawing and gains strength
which makes her arms strong.
I am impressed, that must have taken a lot of arm muscle. So you did not have to touch up the ends? I was a step ahead I guess and worrying about what type of stain you were going to us.
ReplyDeleteYou made it look easy.
Traci
ta da!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDidn't have to touch up the ends--you can if you want to.
ReplyDeleteI love the blinds! Great job sawing...I would have gotten Shane to do it!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, I think I need some new blinds. Now that I know I can cut them. Maybe I'll try to use hubby's chop saw. You know, so I won't blister.
ReplyDeleteNice to know you can cut these to fit, if need be. Glad your "owie" is feeling better. ; )
ReplyDeleteOh good, I was hoping you would tell us how you did that. Now that I see it I can see it was easy. Isn't it funny how those things can be intimidating before you try it? I'm on pins and needles waiting to see the finished birthday kitchen. Lisa~
ReplyDeleteLove these! They look stunning in your window! How brave of you to saw themselves yourself!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
CAthy
They turned out great. thanks for the nice clean pictures showing us the step by step!
ReplyDeleteOh I do know how hard these are to cut. I did about 10 of them for my last house for the familyroom and breakfast area. A ton of work, but I love the look. Great job. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteyour blinds look great! way to take one for the team. i'm impressed by your efforts.
ReplyDeleteGreat job. Sorry 'bout the owie. Now, tell me, can you help me if the blinds are about 3" too short? Because that's what I'm dealing with. :(
ReplyDeleteficou linda sua janela! Você é corajosa hem, para cortar o bamboo...!!! E o dedinho, como está!?
ReplyDeleteMan, does that look like work!! But you must have felt a great sense of accomplishment. I wonder why lowes wouldn't cut them? Guess you have to get near to a stitching area in the cut.
ReplyDeleteLeslie,
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about one project leading to another and so on and so forth. Living in an old home is like living in Pandora's Box! That was a lot of work but the results were so worth it! Thank you for sharing your secret remedy with us.
Your Friend,
Deborah
Awesome work...I'd be too afraid of ruining the blinds, but you made it look easy (except for the owie)
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie, I once had Hubby cut down eight of these blinds. All I can say is that he was not real happy with me. After this he bought an electric saw.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Sherry
As soon as I stop giggling, I will tell you how impressed I am!
ReplyDeleteI was just about finished with the giggles when you included your little version of Proverbs 31 at the end.
They really are great, and I'm so glad you found a solution to the window fit. I will remember it!
BTW, sorry to be so late in answering your question about the anniversary. I traveled with the husband this year and enjoyed a nice dinner with him. Thanks for the anniversary wishes!
I can never find the size of any kind of bling I need at HD or Lowe's! Those bamboo blinds look great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to the how to freeze basil article. I'm going to try it because I'm just not ready to make pesto yet but the basil needs harvesting!
Manuela
You are such a Proverbs 31 woman! I'm so impressed with your mad sawing skills - the blinds look great.
ReplyDeleteI love this! The blinds are amazing, just the right touch. Sorry about the owie, DIY'ing is murder on the manicure, hands and digits, but the finished product is much better than that manicure!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful email...you make me smile. Still doing French in my bedroom, but having to clear stuff out and go through things.
ttfn...
Worked like a champ! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome!!! I have been trying to find bamboo shades for my living room. I have them in the kitchen, but Lowe's doesn't make the right size for my living room. Mine are not matchstick though. They are a more bamboo roman shade. Visit me at http://erinmccall.blogspot.com/2010/11/breakfast-room-before-and-after.html
ReplyDeleteGreat job ! Thanks for the wonderful cutting tip. Its really helpful !
ReplyDeleteAmazing!! You are a GENIUS.....
ReplyDeleteI hope you realize that you just saved my patootie! I *just* bought these thinking it was the right size for my window (duh on me for not measuring first!) and come to find out, my window's one of those "off sizes" that no one makes blinds for!
ReplyDeleteA random search for "Ambria bamboo blinds trim" brought me here ~ to your awesome post! And has given me the courage to trim mine! I just hope mine look half as great as yours do! You did a great job!
Thank you SO much!!! <3<3
You have a great sense of humor! Thanks for making it fun!
ReplyDeleteThe basic facts for renovating the assets of house mostly remains the same,except a difference in one or two facts for protection against natural calamity.
ReplyDeleteHurricane Proof Windows
Bamboo shades are fantastic for living room...just a right touch.
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Aluminium and PVC venetian blinds are best suited for bathrooms and wet rooms as they will not be affected by moist conditions that can damage wooden venetian blinds.
ReplyDeleteBamboo shades look really good. I think many would have switched their existing shades with bamboo shades after reading this. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
BudgetDecor.com.au
http://www.budgetdecor.com.au
You can learn from the post to cut bamboo blinds and shades. Very helpful post
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
ReplyDeleteAnyone who is creative with bamboo gets my vote!
~Bamboo Whisperer
Ha ha - love the verse at the end of the post! :) Nice job on the blinds. We inherited some with out house, but I want to use them on a smaller window. Thanks for the tips.
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I have purchased 72" x 72" Roman Shades for my Florida Room that I am doing. Problem is that it is an old house and all the windows are different, ex: 67", 60", 69", etc. I need to trim each blind to fit and need to know the best way to go about it. What type of saw? Would a circular saw work, or a table saw etc?
ReplyDeleteVery much creative i must say that, good work you have done here. it was helpful and a good learning experience for me thanks for sharing that.
ReplyDeleteI searched the internet and found your post on cutting blinds. I do have a chop saw and my handiman taped etc. However when we unrolled after cutting the ends did not come out even at all , very crooked in fact. He took his time and was very careful so I just wonder if other readers have had the same problem. It ruined the blind or if you have any updates since this post.
ReplyDeleteTable saw would be quicker
ReplyDeleteThose ambria blinds are just what I'm looking for. I can't find them anywhere online. Where did you get them??
ReplyDeleteThanks!