Creating Austrian Shades: A Step-By-Step Guide

Austrian shades are a type of window covering that adds volume to a window. They are made in a way that allows them to remain scalloped at the lower edge and gathered when in the lowered position. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to make your own Austrian shades, including measuring, cutting, and sewing the fabric, as well as installing the blinds.

How to Make Austrian Shades

Measure and cut the fabric

To make Austrian shades, you will need to measure and cut your fabric to the desired height of your shades. First, decide if you want your blind to hang inside or outside the window recess. If you want it to hang inside, fix the blind track or wooden batten to the underside of the window frame. If you want it to hang outside, fix it to the top or above the window frame.

Next, measure from the top of the installed track to the bottom of the window frame and add 20 inches. This is the fabric panel length. Cut your fabric to this length, doubling it over onto itself.

Now you need to calculate the width of your fabric panel. Measure the width of the blind track and multiply it by two. This allows for fullness. If your fabric isn't wide enough, you may need to piece strips of fabric together to form this width.

You will also need to create a ruffle at the bottom of the shade. To do this, measure the length of the fabric panel and double it. Add this number to the width of the fabric panel. Double the sum to get the total length of fabric required for the ruffle. Cut strips of fabric to this length and join them together end-to-end. Hem the bottom edge of the strip once all the pieces are joined.

Finally, cut four sections of Austrian blind tape, each one inch longer than the length of the shade. You will use these to attach the fabric to the blind track.

Sew the lining

To sew the lining for Austrian shades, you will need to cut your fabric to the desired height of your shades and double it over onto itself. Place the lining with the patterned or wrong side facing down on top of the shade fabric. The raw edges of the lining fabric should align with the bottom and side edges of the shade. Secure the lining and shade fabric by pinning and sewing them together along three edges, maintaining a distance of approximately half an inch from the edge.

Next, cut four sections of Austrian blind tape, each one inch longer than the length of the shade. Stitch one section to each side edge of the shade, positioning the first loop two inches below the top. Evenly space out and stitch the remaining two loops. After that, stitch the heading tape to the wrong side of the shade at the top.

If you are working with multiple blinds, stack them on top of each other, ensuring that the slats face inward. Sew your fabric together, effectively sandwiching all the blinds between the two pieces of fabric. Take out each set of blinds individually and attach them to the window using screws or heavy-duty adhesive tape.

Make the ruffle

To make the ruffle, you will need to join strips of fabric together, end-to-end. Once all the pieces are joined, hem the bottom edge of the strip. Next, stitch two rows of gathering stitches (about a size 4 stitch) along the top edge. Pull the threads together until you have achieved the desired fabric panel width measurement.

Place the shade fabric right side up on the floor. Pin the ruffle's gathered edge to the edge of the fabric, about 1 inch from the edge, ensuring the right sides are touching and the hemmed edge of the ruffle is pointing toward the inside of the panel. Continue to pin the ruffle in place, going around three edges. The top will not have the ruffle. Adjust the gathers as necessary to distribute them evenly.

Stitch between the rows of thread, approximately half an inch from the raw edge. Remove the gathering stitches. Lay the shade right side up on the floor, with the ruffles facing toward the centre.

The amount of fabric required for the ruffle is calculated by taking the length of the shade and doubling it. Add this number to the width of the shade. Finally, double this sum to get the total length of fabric required for the ruffle.

Attach the fabric to the window

To attach the fabric to the window, you will need to first cut your fabric to the desired height of your shades, and then double it over onto itself. Next, trim the fabric so that it fits your window measurements and cut two pieces of cardboard, or a similar material, to the height of your shades. Secure each piece of fabric to a piece of cardboard on either side, leaving 12" on each end for sewing. Place the cardboard between two chair backs and sew together, attaching one side first. Flip it over and sew the other side on top of the flap.

Now, stack your blinds on top of each other, ensuring that the slats are facing in. Sew your fabric together, sandwiching all of the blinds between the two pieces of fabric. Take out each set of blinds and attach them to the window with screws or heavy-duty adhesive tape. Be sure to drill through each slat.

If your blind is to hang inside the window recess, fix the blind track or wooden batten to the underside of the window frame. If it is to hang outside the recess, fix it to the top or above the window frame. To calculate the flat length of the blind, measure from the top of the track or batten to the bottom of the window frame and add 20" so that the blind will have some fullness when lowered over the window. This allows for top hem and bottom seam allowances.

To calculate the width, measure the length of the track or batten and double it to allow for fullness. Divide this number by the width of the fabric to be used and round up to the next whole number.

Fix the blind track

To fix the blind track for Austrian shades, follow these steps:

First, measure the width of the blind track and multiply it by two to get the width of the fabric panel. This may require piecing fabric strips together to achieve the desired width.

Next, calculate the fabric needed for the ruffle at the bottom of the shade. Take the length of the shade and double it, then add this number to the width. Finally, double this new sum to get the total length of fabric required for the ruffle.

Now, place the lining of the fabric wrong side up on top of the shade fabric. Match the raw edges of the lining fabric with the bottom and side edges of the shade. Pin and sew around these three edges about half an inch from the edge, then turn and press.

Cut four Austrian blind tape sections, each one inch longer than the length of the shade. Stitch one tape section to each side edge of the shade, positioning the first loop two inches below the top. Evenly space and stitch the remaining two tape sections. Stitch heading tape to the wrong side of the shade at the top. You may need to piece fabric strips together for the ruffle.

Heavy fabrics are not suitable for Austrian shades, so ensure your fabric choice aligns with the requirements. Following these steps will help you fix the blind track and create functional and aesthetically pleasing Austrian shades.

Frequently asked questions