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Valances add a great touch to windows that you do not want to cover completely, but that you also do not want to leave bare. Bare windows can seem cold and uninviting, and adding window dressing such as a window valance will make your room much more homey and warm. There are several styles of valances from which to choose. This valance is a single rod valance requiring a 2 1//2” flat curtain rod. Although this valance is intended to be poufed, it can be left as a flat valance for a more traditional look.
Begin by determining where you want to install the hardware for the valance. You can either install the rod on the frame of the window or 1-2” on either side of the frame. If you are installing the valance over window blinds you will want to install hardware on either side of the window frame. Where you install the hardware will affect the width of the fabric, so you must decide how wide your valance will be before you purchase fabric.
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| BEFORE You Start... | |
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Skill Level & Time to Complete |
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| • Beginner - 1-1/2 hours | |
| • Intermediate - 45 minutes | |
| • Advanced - 30 minutes | |
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| 1. | Determining the amount of fabric to buy: Measure the finished length of the valance (B in picture). Begin the measurement at the top of the rod and measure to where you want the valance to end. Traditionally, a valance is 1/6th of the total length of the window, so this will probably look most natural on your own windows. |  |
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| 2. | Determine the length of material you need by using the finished length, and double it (2 x B) so that the valance can be poufed. Now add 10” to that number to allow for a 3” heading and hems. This number will be referred to as the cut length – this is the length of material that you will have to have cut at the store. As indicated in the picture, this calculation is: ((2 x B) + 10). |
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| 3. | Measure the width you need depending on where you are planning to place the rod hardware as discussed in the overview. Determine the width by multiplying the rod width by 3 to give the valance fullness. Divide this number by the fabric width of your bolt of material. (This is the width that the fabric comes in, which is generally 45” or 54”.) This gives you the number of fabric widths you will need to finish the valance. As indicated in the picture, this calculation is: ((3 x A) / bolt width). |
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| 4. | To get the amount of material you need in square yards, multiply the cut length (step 2) by the number of fabric widths (step 3). This gives you the total length of fabric you need in inches. Divide the total length in inches by 36 to give you the number of yards of fabric you will need to buy. | |
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| 5. | Sewing the valance: If you are using a full bolt of material, measure out the cut length of the fabric and cut it at the cut length. Most likely, you will have to join widths of fabric to make your valance full enough. Lay the pieces of fabric to be joined on top of one another with the pattern side facing in being sure that the pattern lines up. | |
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| 6. | Stitch a seam ½” from the edge along the side to be joined. | |
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| 7. | Flip the joined material over and press the stitched edges so that you have a clean finish. | |
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| 8. | Now you will need to make hems along the sides of your valance. Fold the side edge over 1/2” and press. | |
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| 9. | Then fold 1/2” of fabric over again, press, and stitch in the hem. Do this for both sides of the fabric. | |
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| 10. | Because you are making a poufed valance, you will need to sew a tube for the fill material. Fold the fabric in half from top to bottom, inside out. Sew the fabric together to form a tube. | |
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| 11. | Turn the fabric right side in and while keeping the seam 1” from the top, press a crease in the fabric. This is the top of the header on your valance. | |
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| 12. | Now you will need to make the rod tube for your valance to hang from. Measure 3” from top of the header and sew across the width of the fabric. This gives you a 3” header. Now, measure 2½ - 3” down from the new seam and again sew across the width of the fabric. This is the rod pocket. | |
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| 13. | Now it is time to hang your valance. Slide the rod into the rod pocket and place the rod on the hooks. | |
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| 14. | Finally, stuff the tube that you created in the valance with nylon netting, plastic, or newspaper to pouf the valance. | |
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