How to Make a No-Sew Valance

A simple valance, made without sewing, can dress up venetian blinds or roller shades. Here are several easy ideas.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Buttons
• Flat Braided Trim
• Satin Ribbon
• Seashells
• Small Pine Cones
• Bandannas
• Curtain Rings
• Curtain Rods
• Fabrics
• Glue Guns
• Glue Sticks
• New Bedsheets
• Pillow Shams
• Table Runners
• Tree Branchs
• Wallpaper
• Napkins
• Tablecloths
• Foamboard
• Tacks
• Two-sided Tape
• Bamboo Pole
• Napkins

1. Hang a decorative rod (wooden cafe styles are especially attractive) above your window, with its finials extending beyond the right and left window edges. Knot lengths of wide (an inch or more) satin ribbon closely together onto the rod; cut the exposed ends at an angle or in inverted v's.

2. Mount a tree branch or bamboo pole above the window; it can easily perch on nails with big heads. You can camouflage the nails by hot-gluing buttons, seashells, small pine cones, etc., onto the nail heads. Drape a length of fabric (burlap looks great with branches), a casual tablecloth or a crisp, new, ironed bedsheet over it.

3. Install a rod above the window and cut fabric squares (bandannas are also an option) with pinking shears. Drape or hot-glue them onto the rod so they form a series of triangles, causing zigzag effect at the lower edge.

4. Install a curtain rod above the window and drape ready-made linens (napkins, pillow shams, kitchen towels, tablecloths, etc.) over the rod at an angle so that they create triangles. If the linens have too much bulk in back, you can cut them off, or fold or roll the excess fabric and pin it out of view.

5. Cut foam-core board so that it fits the edge of the window or is slightly larger. Cover it with wallpaper or fabric to match your window and attach it to the wall or window frame with double-sided tape, hot glue or tacks. (You can hide tacks with flat braid or ornamentation such as buttons or seashells.)

6. Install a cafe curtain rod (see "How to Install Curtain Rods") above the window and clip a ready-made table runner onto the cafe rings. A lightweight table runner, such as lace, looks best if it is allowed to droop gently.

on 7/5/2006 I have 3 yards of fabric and 4 gold cup hooks. Over my double window in the kitchen, I spaced 3 of the hooks evenly along the top - tied the fabric into loose knots and fluffed the middle - I was able to hang the knots on each hook (hiding it), and used the 4 hooks to hang decorative wooden hearts as an accent.

on 11/22/2005 I used three drawer pulls to hang a fabulous scarf over my kitchen window. I placed a large drawer pull in the center and two smaller matching ones on the sides. I tucked the scarf around the left pull, through the large one in the middle and around the right one. It looks great!

on 11/22/2005 I used an iron-on seam maker available in all sewing and craft stores.