How to Make Valances Using Decorative Rings With Clips
Window treatments, like valances, add an extra splash and character to a window. Making valances allows you to change your window treatments with the seasons, for special occasions or just a change of pace. A valance can be produced with the sewing of hand towels together, but there is a no-sew option using hand towels that allows making a valance even easier. For a more-polished look, using fabric and a sewing machine is another option. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 1/2-inch dowel rod, sized for your windows
- Fine sandpaper
- Spray paint
- (2) 3/4-inch metal hooks
- Power drill
- Measuring tape
- Level
- 3/4-inch clip rings
- Matching hand towels (optional)
- Fabric (optional)
- Sewing machine
- Pins
- Iron
Instructions
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Set Up the Rod
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1
Sand the dowel rod and ends with the sandpaper until smooth. MIStupid.com provides a table listing sandpaper grits and usage. For this project, sandpaper with a grit of 120 to 150 or "F" for fine, would work properly.
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2
Paint the dowel rod with two coats of paint, letting it dry completely between coats. Measure the dowel rod next to the window, making sure that 1 inch of the rod will overlap the edge of the side of the window.
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3
Use the measuring tape to locate the placement of the hooks to be placed on the wall, which should be placed 1 inch within the end of where the dowel rod will lay across the window. Mark it with a pencil. Use the level to make sure the hooks will be aligned correctly.
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4
Place the hooks on the wall, which should come with the appropriate size screw, to secure the hooks to the wall with the power drill.
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5
Slide the hooks with clips onto the painted dowel road and place the rod so it rests in the hooks.
Hand Towels for Valances
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6
Use the clips on the hooks to attach a hand towel to two or three clips.
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7
Put up the rest of the hand towels on the clips so all of them are used.
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8
Step back from the window to see if any spacing needs to be adjusted, more towels need to be added for more texture or if any towels need to be removed if the valance is too bunched up.
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9
Change the towels for holidays, seasons or special occasions.
Fabric for Valances
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10
Measure out your fabric length to match the length of the road, plus an extra one-third of the length of the dowel rod. Use the scissors to cut off extra fabric. GardenWeb.com suggests using a lining to sew on the back side of the valance, which needs to be equal in length to the other fabric.
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11
Measure for the width of the valance. Try folding the fabric and use pins to secure it in place so you can see how the valance will look with different widths. Don't be afraid to try medium or longer lengths, especially if the window is taller. Once you are satisfied, cut the fabric allowing for an extra 1 inch for the hem. There is no need to allow fabric for a rod pocket.
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12
Use the sewing machine to stitch a simple hem along the edges of the fabric. To do this, fold over 1/4 inch of fabric and iron flat. Fold over 1/4 inch again along the same line and iron. Use the sewing machine with a straight stitch to sew the hem. Sew the hem for the width first, then the hem for the length of the fabric.
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13
Clip the fabric onto the hooks, spreading the hooks out evenly for a polished look.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
