How to Make a Napkin Valance
Cloth napkins are a "green" way to reduce the consumption of disposable goods in a household. They also make useful craft box stock with which to create various products for the home. Making a napkin valance can be a no-sew project, and the materials can be taken apart and reused later when the valance is no longer desired. Use matching napkins or a combination of miscellaneous napkins, and the resulting valance will be a charming addition to your decor.
Things You'll Need
- Napkins (3 to 4 per window measuring 12 to 15 inches in width by 12 to 15 inches in length)
- Curtain rod (brackets installed)
- Straight pins
- Glue gun & glue sticks
- Braided trim, 40 inches per window
- Step stool
Instructions
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1
Place three or four napkins, wrong sides of the napkin fabric facing you, side by side on a table. Turn the napkins so that they are a diamond-shaped.
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2
Place the front side of the curtain rod (the side you would see if the curtain rod were installed on the window with no curtain on it) on top of the center of the row of napkins. There now should be triangles of fabric above the curtain rod and triangles of fabric below the curtain rod.
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3
Fold the top triangles of the napkins over the top of the curtain rod so that the points of the diamond are lined up evenly. The napkins may overlap. The napkins won't be absolutely smooth on top of the curtain rod.
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4
Using straight pins, pin close to the curtain rod through both layers of the napkin, forming a curtain rod casing. A casing is a "tunnel" or "gutter" in the fabric where the curtain rod goes through.
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5
Pick up the curtain rod by the ends and turn it around to face you.
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6
Standing on a step stool, hang the curtain rod with the napkin valance on the installation brackets.
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7
Use the glue gun and glue sticks to make a fine line of glue on top of the the pinned line/curtain rod casing on the front of the hanging napkin valance.
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8
Press the braided trim on top of the line of glue, smoothing the braid. Tuck the ends under the back side of the valance, and glue in place.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also create a handkerchief valance using handkerchiefs in prints or solids or a combination. Tea towels or vintage dishtowels can be hung in the same fashion if you adjust for the towel measurements on the curtain rod.
Handle glue guns with care, as they reach very hot temperatures and can lead to burns. Always use care when working on a step stool so you don't lose your balance and fall.
