Curtain valances cover the very highest top of your window. In this write-up, you will be learning how to make valance curtains. They started existing during the Renaissance era, and they became even more popular in Victorian England. Window valances are used as practical and decorative pieces to hide every hardware device attached to the wall to support the blinds and drapes. You can also find them in different designs.
Valance has different styles, and you can have them in whatever form you want. You can do this by adding colours, texture, and preferred patterns to the complete room scheme of your choice. You can find valances to buy in different places that you can use in your UK home.
However, to get the exact appearance you want, you need to make it for yourself. It is simple to make valance curtains even if you don’t know how to sew. However, we have outlined step-by-step procedures below on how to make valance curtains, whether using a sewing machine or other non-sewing methods.
Easy Process Of Making A Window Valance
The first thing to do when you plan on how to make valance curtains is getting the materials ready. It would help if you got your valance curtains making materials ready; these include:
- Fabric
- Tape Measure
- Sewing Machine or Glue Gun
- Thread
- Straight pins
Step #1: Measurements
Use a tape measure to measure the width of your window.
Start from the curtain rod and decide on the length you want for your valance. Typically it should be up to 15 inches in-depth, but it can also be longer with an extensive window.
Spread the fabric on a flat surface, make sure the front of the material is the part facing down. Measure out the preferred width of the valance from the fabric.
Hanging a valance might be in a gathered form or straight across a rod. If you are going for a straight valance, the width should be wide enough for the distance in between the drapes’ outer edges.
If you want a gathered look, you will measure up to 2 and a half times the width of your window for both lightweight and medium-weight fabrics.
For sheer fabrics, it should be three or four times your window’s width. In some cases, you may have to use more than one valence panel.
Step #2: Cutting the fabric
The next step on how to make valance curtains is cutting the fabric material. Then, you add two more inches to each valance panel’s width, which is for the hems. Cut your fabric.
Measure out the preferred depth of the valance on the fabric. Make the measurements double because you would fold the fabric in half. Add two inches more to do the hems and cut.
Step #3: Pinning
The next step o how to make valance curtains is pinning. With the fabric still face down, measure 1 inch into both sides of the material for the hems and use straight pins to keep them in place on the length of the material.
Step #4: Sew with machine
If you want, use a sewing machine on both sides to stitch the hem. Remove the straight pins. If you don’t want to sew it, you can use a glue gun or press-on tape to seal the hem into place.
Then, turn the fabric up for the side with the hemming to be facing the floor. And fold up the bottom of your material to the upper edges for both edges to meet.
Measure a 1-inch hem on the top of your fabric and pin it into place. Stitch with a sewing machine or use a glue gun or iron tape for the hem.
Now, turn the right side of the fabric out; like this, the hems should be facing inside.
From the line you sewed or sealed into place, measure an inch and a half. You would place your curtain rod inside or if your rod is thicker than the standard size, increase the space to fit.
Use pins to keep in place through the width and sew or seal with a glue gun or iron-on tape.
Step #5: Installing the Valance
The final step on how to make valance curtains is fixing the valance. Slide your curtain rod in and hang. Or, you can also stuff the valance with toilet paper or newspaper to have a puffy look, then you hang it.
How Much Fabric Do I Need for a Valance?
The quantity of fabric you would need for a valance depends on your choice. However, you should need about one and a half yards to 5 yards for the front fabric if you have a 36 to a 40-inch standard window. For windows that gave double-width, up to 70 to 80 inches wide, you would need a face fabric quantity of about two and a half to 8 yards.
How Long Should you Make a Valance?
When determining the valance’s length, it should be a quarter of the window’s height, then add one inch. With this measurement, cut out your fabric and lining in a rectangular form.
How Much of a Window Should a Valance Cover?
A valance should cover about 2 to 6 inches of your window’s top and the frame. This allowance is known as your window’s overlap. At the same time, the remainder of the valance covers the wall on top of the window.
Conclusion
Anyone in the UK who possesses some beginner-level sewing skills will still easily learn how to make valance curtains with a customised finished look. You will find them in UK fabric stores with different materials in trendy patterns, colours, and designs. Or you can get it in retail stores or UK home stores that provide affordable valances, which you can change per season for another fresh appearance.
You can also construct a valance using other materials apart from fabric materials like corrugated metal or wood. For such structured treatment for the window, it is known as a cornice. However, this structured window treatment referred to as a cornice. You don’t need much fabric to make valances, so if you prefer a fast DIY project that doesn’t consume time nor resources, then they are perfect for you.