Can I use cordless mini blinds for Roman shades?

Ok my fellow diy'ers, I recently saw a project on hometalk where they showed how to make Roman shades from mini blinds. I really want to do this but was wondering, can I do it with cordless blinds. Attached is a couple of pics from the tutorial. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

  8 answers
  • It looks like you need to leave the one that runs from top to bottom on and you don't cut it.

  • BEAUTY FOR ASHES BEAUTY FOR ASHES on Oct 03, 2018

    Sorry, I'm new to the DIY world, so I dont know what that means?

    Is that a yes or no to cordless?

  • 17335038 17335038 on Oct 05, 2018

    The black and white striped 'roman shade' is made from covering a former mini blind with fabric. A sewing machine and minimum degree of sewing skills is required to do this successfully.

  • BEAUTY FOR ASHES BEAUTY FOR ASHES on Oct 06, 2018

    You are AWESOME!!!

    I'm a visual learner, so this was PERFECT!! So excited to see how they turn out!!😁

  • Helen.waack Helen.waack on Oct 08, 2018

    Yes! I have made three. Use most of the regular instructions, and be sure to leave the up and down cord just as it came. Attach your fabric and be certain you do not get glue on part of the slats for free movement of the elastic cord that stretches up and down.

    I had no instructions. I just tried it.

    Trick was getting these to stay full open while you attach fabric. My first one I laid on a long table, pulled open to length needed, and held with cast iron and even bricks. THEN, I figured out if my hubs held it upright, I could pull it DOWN to open, and it would stay. Duh. Then laying it on the table worked. Of course, my second and third shades were much easier.

    I've had mine up for months. They work great and no cords to find and pull.

    I just push up, or pull down.

    Folks usually use a few of those cheap vinyl slats, but I found them to tear and break too easily. I chose to cut them ALL off and used several cheap wood slats instead. At least use the wood look kind. It won't waste your time and effort.

    • See 2 previous
    • Helen.waack Helen.waack on Oct 30, 2020

      Hi Karen. I found the cheap vinyl slats tore too easy. So I took them all off, and used VERY cheap fir strips. Maybe you have better ones.

      BTW. After more than 2 years, mine are still hanging and work flawlessly.

  • BEAUTY FOR ASHES BEAUTY FOR ASHES on Oct 09, 2018

    Thanks, I'll do my best☺

  • hope you got the answer you needed seeing its 1 year later ! I just watched a video where they used cordless mini blinds and it worked out just fine !