How to Make a Lined Window Valance

Creating a lined window valance is a great way to give your window a more professional and finished look. Lined valances look much smoother and hold their shape better than unlined valances. Lined valances can be seen from outside, and the lining blocks shadowing from sunlight filtering through. They are easy to make and require nothing more than extra fabric for the lining. There are no hems to deal with because the lining finishes off the edges with a nice, crisp edge.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Valance fabric Lining fabric Yardstick Tailor's chalk Straight pins Scissors Sewing machine Iron

1. Measure the length of your curtain rod. Double this measurement. Cut a piece of your valance fabric using this measurement as the width and 15 inches long.

2. Place the valance piece face up. Place the lining piece face down on the valance piece. Pin the pieces together.

3. Mark both short ends of the valance from the top down using tailor's chalk. Mark 1 1/2 inches down from the top edge, skip 1 1/2 inches and mark again.

4. Sew down one side of the window valance to the first 1 1/2 inch mark using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Skip the next 1 1/2 inches for your curtain rod and continue to sew the rest of the way to the bottom of the valance. Sew across the bottom and up the other side, stopping at the rod pocket. Skip 1 1/2 inches and continue to sew to the end. Leave the top of the valance unstitched.

5. Clip the bottom corners of the valance. Fold the top edges on both sides of the valance to the wrong side of the fabric a 1/2 inch and press.

6. Turn the valance right-side out. Pin the folded open edge together. Top stitch as close to the top edge as possible.

7. Mark a line across the lining of the valance above the rod pocket and below the rod pocket. Use a yardstick and tailor's chalk, then pin.

8. Top stitch the rod pocket on both rod-pocket lines. Press the seam edges of the valance.

Tips & Warnings

• If the diameter of your curtain rod bigger, increase the rod-pocket size and adjust the length of the valance accordingly. This basic pattern is easy to modify if you want to incorporate shape and form into your valance.