How to Make Curtain Valances

An easy and cheap way to make beautiful curtain valances -- with or without a sewing machine! Simply buy (or use what you have at home) a bed sheet, add a unique trim, and voila! Instant glamour, fun, or comfort for any size window.

BONUS: You sew (or use no-sew iron-on fabric tape) on only one side! By using a sheet, 3 sides are already hemmed for you!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flat bed sheet
• Sewing machine OR iron-on sewing tape
• Thread
• Trim
• Curtain rod and brackets for hanging
• Iron

1. 

   VALANCE WIDTH: Measure across the top of the window, then double this measurement. This is your valance width. For example, our window measures 50-inches across; doubled, the valance is 100-inches wide.

2. 

   VALANCE LENGTH: The standard length (how far DOWN it hangs) is 10-14 inches long. For our sample, we used 10 inches.

3. FLAT SHEET: Buy a FLAT SHEET (not the sheet with elastic -- those are "fitted" sheets). Choose a flat sheet that fits your decor -- use one you already have that matches the room decor! Or buy a solid color and use a funky or glamorous trim!

4. 

   BUY TRIM: If using a trim, buy enough to extend 8 inches past the valance width. For our sample, buy 108 inches of trim (3 yards).

5. MEASURE: Measure one strip along one edge of the entire flat sheet, from top to bottom. Make the strip 4 inches wider than your valance length. For our sample, the valance will be 10 inches, so make the strip 14 inches wide. Cut the strip, leaving the sheet hem already sewn, intact!
   
   (If your valance needs to be wider than 100 inches, make two and hang them side-by-side -- no one will be able to tell there are two!)

6. SEW 1: Length-wise, fold the unhemmed sheet edge (there should only be one edge with no sewn hem) down 1 inch onto the "wrong" side of the fabric (the back of the valance). Iron this hem flat, then sew it about 3/4 inch from the edge, across the entire length of the strip. Or, use an iron-on sewing tape, like "Stitch-Witchery" to glue this hem.

7. SEW 2: Length-wise, fold this same edge down again, another 3 inches, again to the "wrong" side. Iron, and sew (or use iron-on sewing tape) across the hem you just folded down. Sew along the very bottom of this hem. Unless you add trim, you are finished!

8. 

   ADD TRIM: If you add trim, simply sew it on the bottom edge of the valance, on the front or "right-side" of the valance. Or use fabric glue to attach the trim. Slide the valance onto the rod and presto! New valance!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure any sewing tape that must be ironed, will work with the sheets you buy -- that is, don't use the iron-on tape on nylon sheets!
• If your valance needs to be wider than 100-inches (standard sheet size), simply use one sheet, but make 2 valances and hang them side-by-side. Hung together on the rod, no one will be able to tell there are 2 valances! If it needs to be more than 300 inches (that's a wide window!), use 2 sheets and make 3 valances, again, hung side-by-side.

[skydog44]

on 6/21/2009 The pictures are quite helpful.