How to Sew a Bandana Valance

Bandanas are a wonderful economical option for sewing window valances. Their square shape eliminates the need for a pattern or complex sewing instructions. You can sew a bandana valance even if you have never sewn a window treatment in your life. Add warmth and whimsy to windows in any room of your home by choosing from a vast array of available bandanna colors.

Things You'll Need

• 4 bandanas
• 1 1/2 yards white cotton fabric (45 inches wide)
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Measuring tape
• Sewing needle
• Thread
• Disappearing ink pen
• Seam ripper
• Curtain rod

Instructions

1. Sew 4 bandanas together in a row using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Iron the seams open. Cut the length of the white cotton fabric into two pieces, 3/4 yard long each. Open the fabric and layer the two pieces together, matching the edges. Pin and sew one short end together using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Iron the seam open.

2. Lay the long, white fabric strip with the right side up on your work table. Place the length of the bandana strip on top with the wrong side up. Match the center seam of the bandana strip with the center seam on the white fabric and pin. Cut the white fabric even with the bandana's edge.

3. Sew the two layers together on all sides, leaving a 4-inch opening on one short side. Turn the bandana valance right-side out through the opening and press. Hand stitch the opening closed.

4. Lay the valance with the white side up on your work surface. This is the back of the valance. Measure 2 inches below one long side of the valance and mark the length with a disappearing ink pen. This will be the top edge of the valance. Top-stitch on the marked line to create the valance header. Measure down from the stitched line an additional 1 1/2 inches and mark the length. Top-stitch on the marked line to create the rod casing.

5. Open the ends of the casing on the short sides of the valance using the seam ripper. Insert the curtain rod in the bandana valance casing and hang.

References

• Cyndee Kromminga, Craft and Interior Designer; Kro Crafts; Winfield, Kansas