DIY Dollhouse Miniature Tutorial for Paper Mini Blind

I've been exploring several options for paper curtains for dollhouses. The patterns are fun and diverse and it can be a fun way to create a new look. I decided to try to make a mini blind that could be pulled up and would hold in a variety of positions. So this is what I came up with and how I approached it. I thought I would share for others who might like to try it.

 Basic tools I used for this project - 

paper or cardstock, cotton crochet thread, 

1/8" hole punch, scoring board and bone folder 

for creasing, pencil, ruler tape, and patience!

 I used a 3" x 12" strip and scored it at 1/2" intervals

 Score lines

 Accordian fold all the way up

 At the bottom I measured in about 3/8" and a 1/4" from 

the bottom to have a guide for punching my holes.

 I use the first holes to mark the next and cut through two layers 

and mark again. I do find it better to not punch too many 

at once because the hole pattern doesn't always 

fall quite in the center and I adjust to get it as close as possible.

 Punch holes all the way except for the top one. 

 Cut off one long piece of crochet thread.

 One continuous string, half up one side

 and half up the other. From the bottom

 I feed through the holes on both sides.

 One additional step that I forgot to include. 

Pull the string out of the top holes and put a layer

 of invisible tape on the front and back of that section 

and repunch your top hole on each side. 

This will help reinforce where most 

of the tension is felt when pulling the thread.

 Now I cross each thread to the opposite top hole and pull it through.

 Now your ends should be hanging out the front.

 To test pull, I pinch together the top fold as shown. 

You should be able to grab the strings 

with your other hand and gently pull.

 A small piece of double sided tape will be used. 

I find Scotch tape most dependable.

 See the little piece of tape in the center? 

Make sure it isn't overlapping your holes. 

This is only done on this one layer.

 For additional strength, I use invisible tape 

on the outside edges also taking care not to 

overlap the holes. Then trim excess.

 It should look like this. 

Make sure you strings move easily. 

Hold from the back like before to test movement.

 The purpose of this is to create friction and 

help your blind to hold wherever you want.

 Tape the bottom where the string wraps 

around so the thread does not shift.

 This one next to my first completed one!

 Now I make the header using foam board though 

some may prefer wood, whatever is handy and preferable. 

I am creating a U-shape to have an opening 

where my thread moves freely. The shorter ends 

are about 3/8" high and glued to the front and back 

at the top and the larger piece is glued on them.

 I trimmed an edge because of where my holes were. 

Wood edges would be thinner and less like to interfere.

 My two shorter outer edges glued with clear tacky glue

 Here is a side view of the U-shape. 

This is the top of the blind.

 I test to make sure no glue has seeped out 

and glued my thread down.

 I cut another 3" piece of my paper to cover the foam 

on top and scored it and cover all three sides 

meaning the front, top and back. 

That leaves the open sides to cover.

 I cut a 1/2" strip and glue it on and 

then trim with my knife. 

I do this mainly since it may 

not be a square as I think, lol!

 This last step is another piece of double sided tape to attach 

the next fold to the top so it will hang correctly. 

This is the view from the back. After adding that tape 

I took additional invisible tape and taped across 

the back of the header where you would attach 

it to your wall or window to help protect the paper. 

Also extended a small bit of tape around 

the layer I used the double sided tape on 

between the strings and on the 

outer edges for reinforcement.

 I had another sheet of this paper so I cut 

out the matching part and glued it to 

the bottom of my blind to cover the string.

 Side view

 I had not cut my thread yet so extra long but 

when your blind is pulled up you may 

want to guide it to one side. 

I gently push it in near the 

top slat to hold it off to the side.

 When you trim your threads, pull it out all the 

way to make sure you have enough length. 

I tied tiny knots where I thought I wanted

 the length to be and then cut off the excess.

Have fun creating your own special look!