make this: easy valance

Making a valance was one of the 99 billion items on the major kitchen remodel to-do list, which included things like building walls and tiling back splashes, however I put this project off until dead last because I had to think it to death before finally figuring out how to do it. Now that I’ve made it and realized how easy it was, I feel kinda silly. I mean, come on… if I’m going to do a project, I’m going to figure out how to make it as easy as I possibly can, which is why this easy valance wasn’t as big of a deal as I thought it would be.

The reason I was scared: I didn’t really have enough fabric. Sure, I could have bought more, but I did have some scraps from making the grommet curtains in the same space.

To make the valance for yourself, you’ll need strips of fabric, cut 12 inches wide. To get the length, measure the space you need, then divide by two and add 2 inches to each side. I needed to cover a 48 inch space, so I cut mine 26 inches long. In addition to that you’ll need another piece cut 12 inches (to create a pleat in the middle).

Pin together the short piece plus one long piece.

Then sew them together with a 1/2 inch seam. Make sure to back stitch when starting and ending a seam.

On the opposite end (the un-sewn end) of the middle piece, pin on the other long piece, then sew it together.

Now we’re going to create the hems. On the bottom edge, turn it under 1/2 inch, then fold again 1/2 inch, then run a hem to secure in all the loose ends.

For the top edge, you’re only going to turn it down once, and for the sides you’ll turn it twice again. Before you do the top, keep on reading.

Use the middle piece to create a pleat, by finding the center of the fabric and folding it together.

Pin it in place before you run the top hem, so you secure the pleat in place.

After you’ve sewn down the top hem, stitch on a piece of hook & loop (aka velcro) – using the fuzzy size. Sewing this down helps to keep the once-turned hem in place.

Now to the installing. Cut a piece of 2×2 wood the length you need, then staple on the prickly side of the hook & loop tape. Make sure to staple at the ends well so it can be secure for removing the valance later.

Pre-drill your holes, then use wood screws to secure it to your window frame (or in my case – the bottom of open shelving.)

Add on your valance and that’s it! You can make this easy valance in less than an hour, and it can definitely be made with scraps (mine was, anyways!)