Leslie Massey
Austrian blinds are a type of window covering that adds volume to a window. They are characterised by a scalloped hemline at the bottom and can be gathered when in the lowered position. To make a simple Austrian blind, you will need to cut your fabric to the desired height, allowing for extra length to create the scalloped effect. You will then need to secure the fabric to a piece of cardboard and sew the pieces together. Next, attach the blind to a wooden batten or blind track, using grip tape and curtain hooks. Finally, thread the nylon cords through the cord holders and secure with a knot.
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What You'll Learn
Measurements and cutting the fabric
To make a simple Austrian blind, you will need to carefully measure and cut your fabric to size. The first step is to take accurate measurements of your window. Decide how much overlap you want on each side of the window frame—a standard option is to go for 5 cm on each side. Measure the width of the window frame and add the amount of overlap you desire on both sides to get the total width of the fabric. For instance, if your window width is 80 cm and you want 5 cm of overlap on each side, your calculation would be: 80 cm + 5 cm + 5 cm = 90 cm. This would be the total width required.
For the length, decide how long you want the blind to be. A standard option is to have the blind reach just the windowsill, but you can also choose to have it longer so that it pools slightly on the ground. Add a few centimetres to the length to ensure the blind reaches your desired point. For example, if your window height is 120 cm and you want the blind to reach the sill, add around 5 cm to ensure it touches down fully: 120 cm + 5 cm = 125 cm. This would be the total length required.
Once you have your measurements, you can cut your fabric to size. It is important to use a straight edge and a sharp blade to ensure a clean cut. You may also want to consider the hem. If you are planning to add a hem to the blind, you will need to add a few centimetres to both the width and length to accommodate this. For instance, if you plan to have a 1-cm hem, add 2 cm (1 cm each side) to both the width and length measurements. This will give you some leeway when folding and ironing the hem.
After cutting the fabric to the required dimensions, you will be left with a large rectangle. Now, you will need to decide if you want to add any additional features, such as a rod pocket or heading tape, which will be used to insert the curtain rod. If you are using heading tape, follow the instructions provided with the tape for accurate placement and measurements. If you are adding a rod pocket, measure and cut a strip of fabric to the required length and sew it onto the top of your blind fabric.
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Sewing the fabric to the cardboard
To sew the fabric to the cardboard, start by cutting your fabric to the desired height of your shades, and then double it over onto itself. Trim the fabric to the size of your window and cut two pieces of cardboard to the height of your shades. Secure each piece of fabric to a piece of cardboard on either side, leaving 12" of extra fabric on each end for sewing. Place the cardboard between two chair backs and sew together, attaching one side first. Then, flip it over and sew the other side on top of the flap you left earlier.
Next, stack your blinds on top of each other so they are all lined up, with the slats facing in. Sew your fabric together, sandwiching all of the blinds between the two pieces of fabric so that you sew right through all of them. You can then sew the blind tape to the fabric. Cut two lengths of Austrian blind tape slightly longer than the length of the blind, making sure that the first loop on the tape will be 2" (5 cm) up from the frill seam. Position the tapes vertically on the fabric, alongside the frill seam at each side, ensuring that the loops of the tape are aligned across the blind. Turn under 0.5" (12 mm) at the bottom edge of each tape to neaten. Pin and stitch the tapes in place, stitching both sides in the same direction to avoid puckering.
You can then attach the top of the blind to the wooden batten by pressing the heading tape onto the grip tape. Screw eyes into the underside of the wooden batten, directly above each of the Austrian blind tapes. If using an Austrian blind track, insert curtain hooks into the pockets on the heading tape and hang the blind on the track. Thread all the nylon cords through the cord holders on the track or the screw eyes on the batten, working from left to right. With the bottom of the blind at window sill level, cut all the nylon cords level with the bottom of the window. Thread all the cords through the acorn and knot to secure.
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Attaching the blind to the window
Once the track or batten is in place, attach the grip tape to the front edge of the wooden batten, if you're using one. Measure the length of the blind from the top of the track or batten to the bottom of the window frame, and add 20 inches (50 cm) to allow for fullness when the blind is lowered. This is the flat length of the blind.
To calculate the width, measure the length of the track or batten and double it. Then, divide this number by the width of the fabric you plan to use, rounding up to the nearest whole number. This will give you the number of fabric strips needed to cover the window.
Now, cut two lengths of Austrian blind tape slightly longer than the length of the blind. Position these tapes vertically on the fabric, with the first loop on each tape 2 inches (5 cm) up from the frill seam. Make sure to align the loops of the tape across the blind and turn under 0.5 inches (12 mm) at the bottom edge of each tape for a neat finish. Pin and stitch the tapes in place, sewing in the same direction on both sides to prevent puckering.
Next, divide the width between the Austrian blind tapes into equal sections of 12-20 inches (30-50 cm) and mark vertical lines down the blind at each point. Pin and stitch additional lengths of Austrian blind tape centrally on each vertical line, ensuring that the tapes are parallel and the loops are aligned.
Finally, attach the top of the blind to the wooden batten by pressing the heading tape onto the grip tape. Screw eyes into the underside of the batten, directly above each Austrian blind tape. If using a blind track, insert curtain hooks into the pockets of the heading tape and hang the blind. Thread the nylon cords through the cord holders on the track or the screw eyes on the batten, working from left to right.
With the bottom of the blind at window sill level, cut the nylon cords level with the bottom of the window. Thread all the cords through the acorn and knot to secure. Fix a cleat halfway down the right side of the window, then pull up the blind and wind the cords around the cleat in a figure-eight pattern to secure it in place.
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Positioning the Austrian blind tape
Cutting and Placing the Tape:
Start by cutting two lengths of Austrian blind tape. Ensure that each piece is slightly longer than the length of the blind. The first loop on the tape should be positioned approximately 2 inches (5 centimetres) up from the frill seam. Place the tapes vertically on the fabric, alongside the frill seam on each side. Make sure the loops of the tape are aligned neatly across the blind. For added precision, turn under 0.5 inches (12 millimetres) at the bottom edge of each tape to create a neat finish.
Stitching the Tapes:
Secure the tapes in place by pinning and stitching them. Pay attention to the direction of your stitching, sewing both sides in the same direction to prevent puckering. Divide the width between the tapes into equal sections, ranging from 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 centimetres). Mark a vertical line down the blind at each point to ensure even spacing. Repeat the process of pinning and stitching, attaching a length of Austrian blind tape centrally on each vertical line. Keep the tapes parallel, and ensure that the loops on all tapes are aligned neatly across the blind.
Attaching the Blind to the Wooden Batten:
Once the tapes are securely in place, attach the top of the blind to the wooden batten. Do this by pressing the heading tape onto the grip tape. Screw eyes can be inserted directly above each Austrian blind tape on the underside of the wooden batten. If you're using an Austrian blind track, insert curtain hooks into the pockets of the heading tape and hang the blind accordingly.
Threading the Cords:
Thread all the nylon cords through the cord holders on the track or the screw eyes on the batten, working systematically from left to right. Ensure the bottom of the blind is level with the window sill. Cut the nylon cords to the same length as the bottom of the window. Thread all the cords through the acorn and knot them securely.
Final Adjustments:
To finish, fix a cleat at the right-hand side, approximately halfway down the window. Pull up the blind and wind the cords around the cleat in a figure-of-eight pattern to secure it in place. With these steps, your Austrian blind tape should be positioned correctly, allowing for smooth operation and a polished appearance.
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Securing the blind with cords
To secure an Austrian blind with cords, you will need to attach the top of the blind to the wooden batten by pressing the heading tape onto the grip tape. Screw eyes into the underside of the wooden batten, directly above each of the Austrian blind tapes. If you are using an Austrian blind track, insert curtain hooks into the pockets on the heading tape and hang the blind on the track.
Thread all the nylon cords through the cord holders on the track or the screw eyes on the batten, working from left to right. With the bottom of the blind at window sill level, cut all the nylon cords level with the bottom of the window. Thread all the cords through the acorn and knot to secure. Fix a cleat at the right-hand side, approximately halfway down the window. Pull up the blind and wind the cords around the cleat in a figure-of-eight to secure.
Austrian blinds typically have rings sewn on the back to take the cords, while festoon blinds have vertical tape sewn on that is pulled up and the cords threaded through the cord carriers. When making an Austrian blind, allow around 30 cm of extra length.
It is important to keep blind cords away from children, as they pose a strangulation hazard. Blind cords can be made safer by using cord cleats, which can be wrapped around cords to secure them out of reach. Cord cleats can be used for both lifting and tilting cords, and should be installed at least five feet above the floor.
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