How to Make Cheap Window Valances
Window valances are one of the easiest things to sew. You can be successful making these even if you have no prior sewing experience. It does not take a long time to sew them and most jobs can be completed in a couple of hours. Valances really help to give a room that finished look.
Things you will need:
- Measuring tape
- Curtain rod
- Fabric
- Straight pins
- Yardstick
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Iron
- Observe the various colors in the room where the valances will be used. Choose a close match on which to base the valance material. When shopping for the cloth, check the clearance rack first to see what is available at a marked down price. Often the store will have selections that will work with the colors in your home. Even a colored bed sheet is suitable for valance material. Several of them can be created from a single sheet. This will provide you with an inexpensive means of purchasing the cloth needed.
- Measure the window width with the measuring tape. The valance will be triple the width of that measurement. This will provide adequate material for gathering together. The material must be a minimum of 15 inches in length, but can be longer if you have extra wide windows.
- Spread the material out face down on a table. Measure on the fabric the width you will need, allowing an extra 1/4-inch for the hem. Place a mark on the fabric. Mark the bottom of the fabric for the desired length. Take a yardstick or straightedge and draw a straight line from mark to mark and cut along that line. Wide windows may require two separate valances.
- Pin up the hem on all sides and sew it with a straight stitch on the backside of the valance.
- Measure down from the hem at the top of the valence about 2 inches, and mark the middle and each end. Take a yardstick and draw a straight line from one mark to the other. Fold the material over to form a pocket for the curtain rod and sew it together. All stitching should be done on the backside of the valance.
- Press the material with an iron, insert the rod and hang the valance in place.