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[lindapendant.livejournal.com]

I needed valances to hide the sun shades in my windows and I couldn't find what I had in mind anywhere so I made a pattern and sewed my own. I'm going to put an image heavy tutorial behind a cut for those who want to know how I did this easy project at the very expensive cost of just over four whole Canadian dollars and about an hour of time.





You're going to want to use a lightweight fabric because the material will be doubled.

Here's the math:

You're going to need to measure the width of your window. Measure from the outer edges of your moldings, then add 12 inches to this number. You're adding twelve inches to the width because the valance is going to wrap around the sides of the curtain rods.

Example, my window measured 53 inches, I added 12 to that, so I cut a length of 65 inches.

I wanted my valance to hang 18 inches at its widest part (which is the tip of the center point of the scallop), so I was able to use 45 inch wide fabric.

Now I made my pattern. I used gift wrap and free handed half the design starting from the center point going outwards. I had measured out 18 1/2 inches from the top edge of the paper to what would be the center point of the scallop and marked that measurement on the paper. I folded my paper in half so that after I cut out the valance shape, I could pin it onto the curtain and make sure the dimensions were going to look right for the window. You may want to play with your dimensions, so it's a really good idea to take this step so you can visualize what your actual valance is going to look like. Once you've cut your fabric, there is no going back if you need to add an inch or two. I didn't need to modify mine, I was happy with the dimensions.



Here's the pattern folded in half.



Here's the pattern opened up.



Here it is pinned to my crushed voile sheers.



Now you will fold your fabric in half length wise by lining up the selvedge edges. Then you will fold it in half width wise. The upper edge of your pattern is going to lay along the top fold. The center point of the pattern will lie against the center fold. You will cut the bottom edge of the scalloped pattern only.



Fold under and press both outer raw vertical edges of the valance a 1/4 inch, then fold under and press another 1/4 inch.



Stitch close to the folded edge.



With right sides together, pin the scalloped edges of the valance together making sure they match up perfectly.



Sew a narrow 3/8ths inch seam. Yes, weird width. I use this width because it's easy to use the teeth edge as a guide to keep the seam even. My vision is crap, so this measure jumps out at me. I'm rambling.



Clip the curves all along the scalloped edge. This allows ease so that your curved edge will lay flat.



Turn the valance right side out and press well, making sure your point and curves are well shaped.



Here is a closer shot of the valance which I hastily put up for the photo. I don't have the proper double rod yet to hang the sheers with the valance so it looks a little out of place.