DIY Shade for Doors

Measure the length and width of the glass on your door. Include raised moldings that surround the glass if you would like your shade to cover them. Add 1 inch to the width and 3 inches to the height. This is the size blinds you'll need.

Purchase 1-inch, outside-mount window blinds in the correct size. Discount-store blinds work fine.

Arrange the blinds face down on your work surface. You need one slat every 5 or 6 inches, evenly spaced from the top of the blinds to the bottom railing that weighs the blinds down, to serve as the ribs that attach to the fabric. You’ll dispose of the rest of the slats. Mark the slats you'll keep, including the bottom rail, with tape. Cut the rest of the slats away with sharp kitchen scissors. Avoid cutting the string that holds the blinds together.

Note the ladder-like column of strings supporting the remaining slats. Cut away the ladder part of the string, but not the thicker string that goes through the holes in the slats.

Launder and iron the shade fabric.

Lay the fabric face down on your work surface. Arrange the blinds on top of the fabric, as a guide for cutting the fabric to size. Cut the fabric 3 inches larger than the blinds on each side. For example, if the blinds are 26 inches wide and 64 inches long, mark the fabric 32 inches wide and 70 inches long.

Keep the fabric face down after you cut it. Turn in each side twice to create sharp, straight edges. The fabric should be exactly the same width as the rail at the top of the blinds. Iron the folds. Sew or glue them closed. Allow the glue to dry for 20 to 30 minutes.

Brush glue across the front of the top rail with a small paintbrush. Position it along the top edge of the back of the fabric, being sure that it's even along the top, and press it in place. Allow the glue to dry for 20 to 30 minutes before you attempt to glue the slats.

Smooth the strings between the rail and the first remaining slat as you position the slat correctly on the fabric. Glue the slat to the fabric. Avoid gluing the string. Continue with each remaining slat until all the slats and the bottom rail have been glued to the fabric.

Place heavy objects on the slats to weigh them down while the glue dries. Allow the glue to dry for 20 to 30 minutes.

Install the shade according to the blind manufacturer's instructions for outside-mount blinds.