How to Make Padded Valances

Padded valances provide a soft textured look to your window treatment. Ready-made padded valances are not as easy to find as ruffled valances, but when you make your own, you will have control over the print, color and quilt pattern you prefer in your valances. This padded valance is a sandwich of material quilted together and is designed to hang from a curtain rod as opposed to mounting on a wooden frame over your window. It can be used in cottage decors as well as country decors.

Things You'll Need

• Curtain rod
• Measuring tape
• Fabric
• Quilt batting
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Hand needle
• Thread

Instructions

Prepare the Fabric

1. Mount the curtain rod in position. Measure the width of the rod. Add 2 inches. This will be the width of your fabric.

2. Begin at the top of the rod and measure down to the length you want the valance to hang. Add 2 inches. This is the length of your fabric.

3. Cut two pieces of fabric to the length and width measurements. Cut one piece of quilt batting to the same measurements.

4. Choose one of the fabrics to be the front of the valance; the other will be the backing.

Make the Padded Valance

1. Place one piece of fabric right side down. Place the quilt batting on top of the fabric. Place the other piece of fabric on top with the right side up (this will be the back of the valance). The layers should be straight on top of each other. Smooth the fabric and secure all three layers together with pins.

2. Machine quilt through all three fabric layers with a grid or free-hand pattern.

3. Place the quilted fabric right side down. Turn all four edges inward 1-inch. Pin and stitch in place.

Install a Rod Pocket

1. Cut a strip of fabric that is as long as the width of your rod plus 1-inch. Cut the width to 4 1/2-inches. Turn the edges of the fabric under to create a 1/2-inch hem on all four sides. Machine stitch the hems in place using a straight running stitch.

2. Lay the quilted fabric with the backing side up. Place the rod pocket fabric, right side up, on top of the quilted valance. Position the rod pocket fabric about 1-inch from the top edge of the valance. Center the width of the pocket fabric to the width of the quilted fabric. Pin in place.

3. Stitch the pieces together using a hand needle and thread. Stitch along the top and bottom edges of the rod pocket fabric. Leave the ends open. Do not stitch all the way through to the front of the quilted fabric.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a trim to the bottom edge to create an alternative look to the valance. Trim options are fringe, pom-pom, or even lace. Experiment for different looks.

• The front and back fabrics should have the same cleaning instructions. Also, coordinate the thread color with your fabric. It will show on both sides of the valance.

References

• Block Central website: Machine Quilting Tips