Finishing Trim on Bottom of Roman Blind

[carrot One Needle Find all posts View Profile Close carrot]

Hello
Can anyone please provide me with advice on how to add a pleated trim to the bottom of a Roman Blind? The fabric is Dupion silk and the trim at the bottom is to be in a contrasting shade. Im basically hoping I can replicate something I seen on display in Laura Ashley. Apologies if Ive not used the correct terminology - Im fairly new to all this (one roman blind under my belt)!

Regarding the lining for the blind - Im a bit confused about what I should do. I was planning just to use the normal lining material that I used with the previous blind (not silk). Is interlining something I should consider?

many thanks
Betty

[thecurtainmaker Pins & Needles Find all posts View Profile Close thecurtainmaker]

Re: Finishing Trim on Bottom of Roman Blind

HI Betty,
Make up the pleated strip and machine it between the lining and fabric. (or you could use a facing of your fabric on the back as well). Use your ordinary lining - interlining is a different material that is used as well as lining, to give body to fabric.

[Tam Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Tam]

Re: Finishing Trim on Bottom of Roman Blind

I'd opt for using your normal lining but use interlining too on silk, its a must otherwise the blind looks like a puff of wind . I love the look of interlined silk blinds and compared to a non interlined, there really is no comparison.It givea beautiful lush feel to the blind, just be careful not to use one thats too thick~learnt that lesson the hard way It makes the folds a little too bulky.

[thecurtainmaker Pins & Needles Find all posts View Profile Close thecurtainmaker]

Re: Finishing Trim on Bottom of Roman Blind

I agree with [email protected] - sorry I missed that you are using silk, and I would always interline it as well.

[carrot One Needle Find all posts View Profile Close carrot]

Re: Finishing Trim on Bottom of Roman Blind

Hi there
Thank you both for your advice - hope you dont mind more questions!

Interlining - from the previous posts, is domette the best option as it will not be too bulky?

The pleated border - being a complete novice I would feel a bit more confident if I was following written instructions on producing this. Any suggestions where I might find this?

Once again many thanks for your help.
Betty

[thecurtainmaker Pins & Needles Find all posts View Profile Close thecurtainmaker]

Re: Finishing Trim on Bottom of Roman Blind

Hello Betty,
I think domett is better for silk as it is smoother and you are less likely to get fluff pulling through!

For the pleats, cut a strip of fabric three times longer than the finished strip, fold right sides together lengthwise and press. There are several ways you can make the pleats - you can pin each one separately and press them, either as knife pleats with them all facing the same way or as box pleats, facing alternate ways. You can use a ruler or piece of card to help measure them.

You can also pleat fabric at the machine - as the fabric is running under the foot, use the point of a small pair of scissors to make tucks in the fabric by pushing the fold back and under. It does take practise but once mastered is very quick to do.

[Louise Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Louise]

Re: Finishing Trim on Bottom of Roman Blind

You can buy boards to help set pleats, but they are quite expensive just for a single project. http://www.sew-quick.com/products.php?cat=15 They are probably intended for dress-making so may be too small for setting pleats in larger pieces of fabric like blinds.

[carrot One Needle Find all posts View Profile Close carrot]

Re: Finishing Trim on Bottom of Roman Blind

Thanks to thecurtainmaker, [email protected] and Louise for your advice. Once I have the supplies in (interlining) I can make a start and hopefully (!) with the help you have all provided and the books I have now received from the library (the Merrill one in particular looks very useful) it should be straightforward.

[YvonneR Pins & Needles Find all posts View Profile Close YvonneR]

Re: Finishing Trim on Bottom of Roman Blind

Hello I know this topic was from last year but was it the Horizontal Pleated Border that you were trying to make on P254 of the latest catalogue? If so, how did you set the pleats in please or did you top stitch them? Thank you.

[SusanF Two Needles Find all posts View Profile Close SusanF]

Re: Finishing Trim on Bottom of Roman Blind

I did this just a few weeks ago but as it was an afterthought I had to sew my trim onto the bottom of the finished blind. I know that is not the correct way really but I like the effect that I got. I made a 1" box pleat strip and it is held firmly in place by two rows of stitching. I thought the pleats would have a tendency to gape otherwise. Picture attached to see the result.[attachment=0:3khqwfyi]boxtrim.jpg[/attachment:3khqwfyi]