Ms. Mini Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 So I woke up this morning and looked up at my window and thought to myself. "Mini vertical blinds that would be fun to make!" Now heres my questions... Has anyone done this before? Any suggestions on how to go about make these? Im really intrested in figuring this out so any type of feedback is appericated !! Thank you! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniMadWoman Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 Hmm . . . what about plastic coffee stirrers? You could cut them to width and use a needle and thread to go through them to simulate the cording. Or maybe a heavyweight paper? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Mini Posted January 7, 2006 Author Share Posted January 7, 2006 oo ya great idea! hmm (going downtstairs insearch of coffee stirs) lol :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parisbabe Posted January 8, 2006 Share Posted January 8, 2006 MY GOD GIRLFRIEND!!! You sure picked a big one for your first dollhouse!! Great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wen :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamommynous Posted January 8, 2006 Share Posted January 8, 2006 For Bamboo blinds you could use a bamboo stick placemat - I got one a BB&B the little sticks are stitched together and the whole thing rolls up. It could be cute really easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blesdmomx4 Posted January 8, 2006 Share Posted January 8, 2006 neat idea! i thought about making shutters, or seeing if anyone makes wooden shutters for windows? i had shutters on my kitchen windows in va bch (i miss my house ) and they would fold open and closed, with blind-type openings inside of them. your blinds question reminded me of that. i'd love to see how you do the blinds! send pics as soon as you can :lol: danielle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted January 8, 2006 Share Posted January 8, 2006 I *love* the idea for the roll up bamboo blinds. That's definitely going on the list of things to do. Vertical blinds.........my first thought was skinny sticks painted white and topped with Wendy's way cool valance. That might be too big for a single window, but for sliding doors or a double window, they might work. I seem to remember someone else making vertical blinds awhile back. Debbie, was that you? Danielle, if you're looking for premade louvered shutters, you can find various shapes and sizes at http://www.miniatures.com Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 This thread has some good ideas for vertical blinds, but I'm wondering if anyone ever found a way to make regular horizontal blinds, either mini or regular. With so many new people in the community, maybe some has cracked this case. The only thing I can think of is to use card stock and thread, but I'm thinking the cardstock would bend with changes in humidity. I can't think of any kind of thin white plastic that might work. <walking around the house with a bemused expression on my face, looking at everything white> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlene Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Vertical blinds? Love the idea! The coffee stirrers might be the ticket. As to horizontal blinds, which I swore off of years ago in my real house 'cause I think they're dust traps...of course, it could be my housekeeping that was at fault ...do have louvered shutters in all my front windows & I LOVE those...tho' they seem to be dust traps too....really must consider dusting more thoroughly... Ooops, I really digressed.....horizontal blinds. Why not cut thin plastic sheets (the type you'd get for mini windows) to size. Drill tiny holes in the ends (hello Dremel). Paint them the color you want. String them with crochet thread. Knot the thread under the slats to maintain the space. Glue the top slat to a cut-to-size skinny stick. And shutters -- believe American Miniaturist had a how-to not long ago on plantation shutters with adjustable louvers. I'll look for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annette Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 If your real mini blinds are like mine, getting ready for the garbage :dry: because of cat and kids , or they are too long for your windows. You can take off the bottom like you were going to shorten them to the correct window length and use one of the strips. Cut it down to the scale of your window and maybe use thread or fishing line to put it together. OMG did I just say that . I'm starting to sound like I know what I'm doing :woot: :roflmao . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 You really want to make horizontal blinds, huh? What about paper? If you coat it with matt sealer or clear nail enamel it might not respond so drastically to changes in humidity. If you didn't want to fool with impossibly small strips you could make accordion-pleated shades. For vertical blinds, what about strips of interfacing? (that's what mine remind me of) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shy Spirit Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 .....horizontal blinds. Why not cut thin plastic sheets (the type you'd get for mini windows) to size. Drill tiny holes in the ends (hello Dremel). Paint them the color you want. String them with crochet thread. Knot the thread under the slats to maintain the space. Glue the top slat to a cut-to-size skinny stick. Love this idea - if you use clear plastic packaging it may be a little stronger than the window plastic. (Cheaper, anyway. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doogster Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 How bout a 2 litre Coke (or other soft drink of choice) bottle, it should have close to the correct curve, cut into strips. Those bottles are styrene so they should take paint fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Oooooh, Doogster ... soda bottles may be the answer. And to those who are shaking their heads, my husband the artist is making a model room for a client to show what a mural will look like. The windows have horizontal blinds. Thanks to all ... some good ideas here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 drinking straws??? one straw cut into 3rds ought to work...and they come in colors too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemlady Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Oooooh, Doogster ... soda bottles may be the answer. I was at the flea market the other day and had a "Dansani" water and the bottle had a design under the lable like a "dianond shape" window, not all the bottles have this but I got 3 of them. I also went to the dollar tree store and found a paper crimper that does a wavey design That would work for blinds. thought of useing it to make coragated roofing out of tin foil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlene Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 neat idea! i thought about making shutters, or seeing if anyone makes wooden shutters for windows? i had shutters on my kitchen windows in va bch (i miss my house :thumb: ) and they would fold open and closed, with blind-type openings inside of them. your blinds question reminded me of that. i'd love to see how you do the blinds! send pics as soon as you can danielle Danielle -- I found it! American Miniaturist, page 51, July 06 -- all you need is basically skinny sticks, sewing pins, needle nosed pliers. She gives directions for fitting them to just about any window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie-me(Chris) Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Wow what great ideas!!! I liked the idea of interfacing for horizontal blinds. Kind of that funky feel of my pleated shades I just got for my living room. They could then be dyed to any color to match the decor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Someone asked earlier today about making window blinds.In the July 2006 issue of American Miniaturist there is an article on making wooden blinds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minis On The Edge Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 So cool!! Thanks for telling us. I can't remember who it was either though.... Found the topic. I will try and merge the two Great it worked!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corwin Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I have the easiest way to make horizontal blinds. First take twis ties (the kind that come in lengths) Cut to desired size Atach to a peice of wood to the top Add string and a bead for pull cord Enjoy! They are non functing but they do look good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doogster Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Some really good ideas here, hmm, wonder if we should start a series of threads for making different things? Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chatrbug Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 i saw some somewhere...they used toothpicks. i have no idea where the directions where though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellee Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I think starting a thread for making things would be awesome, I have been trying to figure out a way to make a little round table like the wooden ones in RL that have 3 wooden legs and you put a decorative tablecoth on them.... I think they look so pretty.!! I am thinking using an old mini blind and making the pieces that hang.... and attaching them with fishing line or thread to a ???? HMMM, I dont know what you would use to attach for the top . Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimoon Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 The vertical blinds I have in my house seem to be made from fibreglass or some kind of shiny canvas. There is a weight strip opn the bottom and they are attached to the rod at the top (by some complicaed system that lets the chain open and close them as well as pull them across the window and back). Anyway, in mini form, what about using 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon If you stiffened them with fabric starch or something like that they would hang straight, and you hide the tops under a valance. You could hang them half open, say, so that they let in the scene from outside, or let people peek into your room from outside the dollhouse. Susan in New Brunswick, Canada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.