https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/diy-bamboo-shades • Posted by Bigger Than The Three Of Us
Using bamboo fencing (found in the outdoor section at your hardware store), you can DIY bamboo shades to add texture to any room.
Using bamboo fencing (found in the outdoor section at your hardware store), you can DIY bamboo shades to add texture to any room.
Gather your supplies. You will need: bamboo fencing ($9.99), scrap fabric (that halfway matches the fencing), a glue gun, scissors and a curtain rod. I had the curtain rod in our basement but, if you don’t have one, these old styles can be picked up at the Habitat Restore for $2. You could also make a wood hanger or use a dowel rod to hang it from. You could be creative here.
Measure your window (I wanted an outside mount so I accounted for extra) and cut the bamboo. The bamboo fencing cuts easily with a pair of scissors.
Hot glue scrap fabric around the curtain rod. You are doing this so the white curtain rod doesn’t show through when you hang the bamboo shade up.
Place your curtain rod over your bamboo about 8 inches (this accounts for the fold over the curtain rod). Gently fold the bamboo over the rod and check to see if you like the amount of bamboo that you have hanging (this is the top of your bamboo shade).
If you like the amount of hanging bamboo, then hot glue the bamboo to the rod. I don’t have a picture of this, but make sure to overlap your second piece of bamboo (if you have an oversize window like me) so that your bamboo shade looks seamless. I overlapped about 1/2 inch.
Hang your rod up so that you can determine where you would like your folds to be.
If your curtain rod sags, then add a cup hook in the middle to help support the weight.
Using wire from where you cut your bamboo shades, separate it and cut it in to 5 inch pieces.
Gently bend your shade where you would like your bend to be.
On the seams (I did every other), wrap wire from the front of the fold to the back piece to create the fold. You can see the extra wrapped wire in the picture below.
Enjoy the added texture of the bamboo shades without the price tag of the real ones!