DIY Blackout blinds

[Nix01]

We're in a rented house and can't install blackout blinds and I've researched other types and have come to the conclusion I might be better off making some.

Has anyone bought good lining that you can attach to the window frames using stick on Velcro? If so, could you advise where you found the materials and share any tips you may have?

Hi nix, we got blackout curtain lining material from ebay quite cheaply and then started by sticking it with stick on Velcro however the weight of the material and the fact that the Velcro shouldn't be in sunlight meant just fell off after a day! We re-stuck it with the iron on hemming stuff meant for trousers/skirts and that has worked well and still sticks after 4 months so far! Don't know if this an option for you but may be worth trying?

Sorry to make that clearer we ironed on the blackout material to the back of the curtains with the hemming stuff.

What about buying a groblind and cutting it to fit? They attach to the window glass with suckers.

Thank you both.

Is this the type of fabric you used? www.amazon.co.uk/Blackout-Thermal-Lining-Linings-Rejuvopedic/dp/B0019C1J7Q/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I've read a review that you can get curtain clips and hang them onto the curtains, not sure what these could be but will google.

The Groblinds work out terribly expensive when you have to do 3 big windows and I've read reviews that they let the light in from the sides?

curtain clips

I don't remember there being a light seepage problem, but it was a long time ago.

the laredoute blackout curtains good value when you use one of their voucher codes; come in diff colours too www.laredoute.co.uk/voda-blackout-curtain-with-gathered-header/prod-324215381-221814.aspx

www.amazon.co.uk/easyblackout-blackout-blind-WHITE-available/dp/B002WBU62M/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1405591516&sr=1-5&keywords=blackout+blinds

www.amazon.co.uk/Stick-On-Blackout-Kit-size/dp/B007JVGCJQ/ref=sr_1_9?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1405591518&sr=1-9&keywords=blackout+blinds

This uses sticky tape.

Thank you, there are so many options!

If I were to use this fabric to line the existing curtains, would you cut to size of the window or line the whole curtain? Would the curtains be able to close if you lined them?

I haven't a clue how to use a sewing machine so was hoping to attach the blackout lining to the back of the curtains using clips, would that work? If it makes any difference one set of curtains is tab top and two sets clip into rings.

you want it bigger than the window.

learn to use a sewing machine! it isn't tricky...you can find a local class ...ask at a store which sells sewing machines.

tab top you might find light still goes out the top... depends where the rail is .

but if the curtains belong to landlord you might be better off buying new blackout curtains and taking down the ll curtains altogether.

If you are really desperate, can't use a sewing machine, and want a (very) temporary but quick and easy solution... then I can recommend a roll of silver foil and some sellotape. Obviously can't easily take on and off, but we've used this for visitors, or in hotels... and it does work brilliantly!

There was someone posted a few months ago about installing blackout blinds using those suckers that you stick things like baby shades to glass with - I thought that was a good idea actually. Make the fabric panel so it overlaps the glass onto the window frame a bit and you should get reasonable coverage. Would probably need quite heavy duty "suckers"

To line the curtains the fabric normally needs to be the width of the curtain but you could probably have it narrower and safety-pin it on if it's just a few months.

Dunelm are very good and fairly cheap for this kind of stuff.

I bought (white) blackout fabric in John lewis (£7 a meter) cut into the size of the curtains and then used that iron on webbing stuff so I didn't have to sew it on, its done a really good job, doesn't make the room pitch black but definitely blocks the majority of the light out.