How to Make a Beaded Window Valance
A valance is a type of window treatment that is mounted at the top of a window. A beaded window valance takes traditional valance shapes and crafts them in long strands of beads that are typically attached to a ribbon. This valance can be hung alone at the window or over a drapery or another valance. The look is airy and fresh and designed to bring some glitter to the window. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 1/4-inch graph paper
- Clear tape
- Pencil
- Flexible ruler
- Beads
- Beading needle and thread
- Ribbon
- Scissors
- Glue
- Hook-and-loop tape
Instructions
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Tape sheets of 1/4-inch graph paper together until they are wider than your window. Hold the paper up to the window and mark the edges of the window.
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Measure between the marks on the graph paper to find the center and mark it with a vertical center line from top to bottom. Shape a bendable ruler into a soft curved S-shape. Position the end of the ruler at the bottom of the graph paper at the center mark. Draw the curved shape to one side by tracing along the side of the ruler. Being careful not to bend the ruler, turn it over and place it in the same but opposite position at the center mark and draw the same pattern on the other half of the paper.
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Tape the graph paper down on your work table. Select a ribbon in the color and width you want to use. The ribbon should be three to four inches longer than the graph paper on each side. Tape your ribbon down so that the bottom of the ribbon runs along the top line of the graph paper.
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Place bowls of beads in the colors and shapes you want to use on your work table. String beads onto beading thread in the order you prefer. Starting at your outside mark on the graph paper, string enough beads to reach from the ribbon to the S-curve line.
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Finish with a larger bead followed by a small bead large enough to block the hole of the big bead. Thread your needle back through your beads starting at the large bead. When you reach the top, sew through the edge of the ribbon on the vertical line that marks the edge of the window.
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Thread your second set of beads. Usually you will repeat the order of the beads except near the end where the valance changes height (at the S-curve area). Space your bead strings 1/4 or 1/2 inch apart along the graph. Continue beading until your valance is complete. Save your pattern if you are beading several windows in a similar style.
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Measure the width of the ribbon to fit the width of the area where you will mount the valance. Add one inch to that length and cut your ribbon with equal amounts on both ends. The valance can be mounted to the bottom edge of window trim or against window framing or to a valance board.
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Fold the end of the ribbon under 1/2 inch and glue. Cut hook-and-loop tape to the finished length of the ribbon. Attach the loop side to the back of the ribbon and the hook side to the window trim or frame.
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Tips & Warnings
Often long bead pieces will have "field" beads and "pattern" beads. The field beads are added or deleted to create the shape and the pattern beads form a border along the bottom edge.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
