| Valance Treatment |
Here I share with you my design for the Valance window treatment inside my sewing room studio. If you click on the images the
new window will open with a larger version of it. I think that if you wanted to, this could be an alternate way of making this
window treatment, instead of a short version like I have made you can make this full length, and do this instead of the other style
that I made to go on decorative rods.
The first step:
The first thing I had to do was figure out how to incorporate the look I made for the other windows into a compact smaller version
that was just as impressive. I thought about several different ideas before I came up with this one, but I didn't think it would look
balanced out if I went with a different style on this one window, and so I set out to figure out how to make this look on this scale
instead. Here is what I came up with. In (pic 2) you can see the plain window with the blinds installed. In (pic 1) you can see the
different styles of traditional rods available, singel, double, and triple. I originally put up a single, and that is what you see in (pic 2).
Once I began finishing this project I felt that the only way to get the look I wanted was with a double layer, using a double rod set.
When I had the pieces finished and put them up to the window with pins, pinning the outer layer to the inner layer, I just felt that
it looked- well, taped to the wall! So to avoid that look, and to give it depth, go with the double rod set (see black x). In (pic 3) you
can see my mock up, I used the loose fabric that I had for the under layer and draped it over the rod. Then cut out two pieces of
muslin to see what it would look like if I went ahead and made that look- I liked it and went forward with the idea.
The next step:
The sheer inner layer. I made a short panel just like I did the others, made a hem, and made a rod pocket (pic 4). I hung that panel
on the rod just to get it out of the way for a while. I made the hem for this panel a few inches longer than the window casing, so
that it made the tiny window feel bigger.
I cut my brocade fabric using my original pattern, but this time I cut the fabric on grain, double layers, not on the fold. I just
needed two seperate pieces this time. And this time to anticipate the need for more space in the back to be able to cover the entire
window, I made the back end of the pattern about 4 1/2" longer, you can see this in- (pic 6). I hemmed both pieces (pic 7), and
then set the grommets in, just like I did for the other pieces before using 8 per side- set 2 1/2 down and then every 2" apart (pic 8).
The two piece valance is complete.
In (pic 5) you can see what I discovered next. Originally, I was going to just make this valance treatment with the Gold Paisley
Brocade- over top the crushed gold fabric. When I put that brocade piece I had cut out up in the light, over the gold I realized that
it would look wrong since you could actually see through it in the light. I had to re-think the panels now.
The Final Step:
Making semi panels. I decided that the entire fullness of the width of this fabric was too heavy a look on this tiny window. I first
pinned the cut yardage to the wrong side of one of the valance pieces in pleats to see how it would look. It was just too much. So
what I did was, Set aside the other yard of fabric for another day, and only use 1 yard of this fabric. I then cut that one yard in half
to make two one yard long by about 25" wide pieces. One piece for each side of the valance, this cut down the unnecessary bulk. I
treated the panel pieces just like I did the larger ones, hemming both sides and the top edge. Then I pinned it to the valance piece
in pleats (pic 9) making about 3-4 pleats on each piece. I made the pleats toward the center on both sides. Once I stitched the
panel pieces as I did for the larger ones, across the top and down the sides stopping at the end of the brocade, I then had to figure
out how I was going to put these up. First thought was making a loop in the two layers and slipping that rod through it.
I decided to use hook and loop tape. I took 1/2 yard of the hook and loop tape and cut that in half again. I stitched the rough
pieces to the valance backs. I glued the other (uncut) 1/2 yard soft piece to the rod. I tried hot glue, and epoxy here these both
refused to stick. Finally I used some household adhesive which is some of the strongest stuff out there. After it set up over night it
seemed strong enough to hold up the pieces. I think this is because the rod set I used is enamel coated metal. Then I just stuck the
valance up there and measured how much I would need to hem on the bottom so that matched up with the sheer underneath.
After I hemmed the valance pieces, I stuck them to the rod and wove the braid trim through the eyelets. The finished piece (pic10).
Materials Needed:
1.)Eyelet Pliers
2.)16 gold colored eyelets in size Large (6mm)
3.)1/4" wide braid trim 'Midybraid' color Sienna 1 yard
4.)One double traditional shirr rod
5.)Poly Shantung Fabric in color Spice
b.)for valance 2 yards for extra fullness or 1 yard for less*
6.)Thread: in colors Café Beige, Rust, and Pongee
7.)Poly Satin Brocade in color Gold Paisley-
b.)valance: 1 yard
9.)Jo-Ann Home Decorator's Fabric: 'Metallic Crunch' in color Gold
b.)Valance 1 yard
Sources: Eyelets, Pliers, Braid, hook and loop tape and adhesive, Shantung, Thread, Brocade, Crunch: Jo-Ann
Drapery Rings: Linens-N-Things
Traditional Double Shirr Rod: JC Penney
Blinds and household adhesive tube: Lowes
new window will open with a larger version of it. I think that if you wanted to, this could be an alternate way of making this
window treatment, instead of a short version like I have made you can make this full length, and do this instead of the other style
that I made to go on decorative rods.
The first step:
The first thing I had to do was figure out how to incorporate the look I made for the other windows into a compact smaller version
that was just as impressive. I thought about several different ideas before I came up with this one, but I didn't think it would look
balanced out if I went with a different style on this one window, and so I set out to figure out how to make this look on this scale
instead. Here is what I came up with. In (pic 2) you can see the plain window with the blinds installed. In (pic 1) you can see the
different styles of traditional rods available, singel, double, and triple. I originally put up a single, and that is what you see in (pic 2).
Once I began finishing this project I felt that the only way to get the look I wanted was with a double layer, using a double rod set.
When I had the pieces finished and put them up to the window with pins, pinning the outer layer to the inner layer, I just felt that
it looked- well, taped to the wall! So to avoid that look, and to give it depth, go with the double rod set (see black x). In (pic 3) you
can see my mock up, I used the loose fabric that I had for the under layer and draped it over the rod. Then cut out two pieces of
muslin to see what it would look like if I went ahead and made that look- I liked it and went forward with the idea.
The next step:
The sheer inner layer. I made a short panel just like I did the others, made a hem, and made a rod pocket (pic 4). I hung that panel
on the rod just to get it out of the way for a while. I made the hem for this panel a few inches longer than the window casing, so
that it made the tiny window feel bigger.
I cut my brocade fabric using my original pattern, but this time I cut the fabric on grain, double layers, not on the fold. I just
needed two seperate pieces this time. And this time to anticipate the need for more space in the back to be able to cover the entire
window, I made the back end of the pattern about 4 1/2" longer, you can see this in- (pic 6). I hemmed both pieces (pic 7), and
then set the grommets in, just like I did for the other pieces before using 8 per side- set 2 1/2 down and then every 2" apart (pic 8).
The two piece valance is complete.
In (pic 5) you can see what I discovered next. Originally, I was going to just make this valance treatment with the Gold Paisley
Brocade- over top the crushed gold fabric. When I put that brocade piece I had cut out up in the light, over the gold I realized that
it would look wrong since you could actually see through it in the light. I had to re-think the panels now.
The Final Step:
Making semi panels. I decided that the entire fullness of the width of this fabric was too heavy a look on this tiny window. I first
pinned the cut yardage to the wrong side of one of the valance pieces in pleats to see how it would look. It was just too much. So
what I did was, Set aside the other yard of fabric for another day, and only use 1 yard of this fabric. I then cut that one yard in half
to make two one yard long by about 25" wide pieces. One piece for each side of the valance, this cut down the unnecessary bulk. I
treated the panel pieces just like I did the larger ones, hemming both sides and the top edge. Then I pinned it to the valance piece
in pleats (pic 9) making about 3-4 pleats on each piece. I made the pleats toward the center on both sides. Once I stitched the
panel pieces as I did for the larger ones, across the top and down the sides stopping at the end of the brocade, I then had to figure
out how I was going to put these up. First thought was making a loop in the two layers and slipping that rod through it.
I decided to use hook and loop tape. I took 1/2 yard of the hook and loop tape and cut that in half again. I stitched the rough
pieces to the valance backs. I glued the other (uncut) 1/2 yard soft piece to the rod. I tried hot glue, and epoxy here these both
refused to stick. Finally I used some household adhesive which is some of the strongest stuff out there. After it set up over night it
seemed strong enough to hold up the pieces. I think this is because the rod set I used is enamel coated metal. Then I just stuck the
valance up there and measured how much I would need to hem on the bottom so that matched up with the sheer underneath.
After I hemmed the valance pieces, I stuck them to the rod and wove the braid trim through the eyelets. The finished piece (pic10).
Materials Needed:
1.)Eyelet Pliers
2.)16 gold colored eyelets in size Large (6mm)
3.)1/4" wide braid trim 'Midybraid' color Sienna 1 yard
4.)One double traditional shirr rod
5.)Poly Shantung Fabric in color Spice
b.)for valance 2 yards for extra fullness or 1 yard for less*
6.)Thread: in colors Café Beige, Rust, and Pongee
7.)Poly Satin Brocade in color Gold Paisley-
b.)valance: 1 yard
9.)Jo-Ann Home Decorator's Fabric: 'Metallic Crunch' in color Gold
b.)Valance 1 yard
Sources: Eyelets, Pliers, Braid, hook and loop tape and adhesive, Shantung, Thread, Brocade, Crunch: Jo-Ann
Drapery Rings: Linens-N-Things
Traditional Double Shirr Rod: JC Penney
Blinds and household adhesive tube: Lowes