• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Services
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Sonya Hamilton Designs

How-to Make a Lined Valance with Contrasting Band

By Sonya

Valance Tutorial 1Today I’m sharing an easy tutorial for this simple lined valance.

It’s simple but the contrasting band takes it up a notch. It’s definitely not boring.
You can also add trim along the upper portion of the band to jazz it up a bit more if you prefer.

While this is easy it’s not “no-sew” easy.
But if you’re wanting to make a nice, lined valance…this is the a great way to go.

GETTING STARTED
As with all window treatments the first step involves a bit of math.

  • This valance needs to be 2 times the width of your window to give it enough fullness.
  • First step…measure the width of your window or curtain rod if the rod is longer than your window width.
  • Take the width of your window and multiply by 2. We’ll use 50″ as our example.
    50×2 = 100″ + (3+3)6″ (side hems) = 106″ wide – how wide your fabric will need to be.
  • Home Decor fabric comes 54″ wide. You’ll need 2 widths of fabric to make this valance.
  • Determine the length you’d like your valance to be.

HINT – The average length of most valances I make is 20″-24″. 

The finished length of this particular valance is 16″ long.
This includes 3″ of contrasting band and 13″ of floral fabric.
13″ + 1/2″(seam where floral meet solid band) + 4″ (double top hem) = 17.5″ – the height the floral fabric will be cut.
So 17.5 x2(two widths of fabric) = 35″ of fabric BUT…

HINT – You have to remember to consider THE PATTERN REPEAT.
Measured in inches, the pattern repeat is the space between where a pattern begins and ends before repeating itself again.
Valance Tutorial 2

  • The pattern repeat for this fabric is 27″.
  • This means I have to multiply the # of widths needed by the pattern repeat number
    2 x 27″ = 54″ or 1.5 yds.

HINT – Anytime you sew together two pieces of fabric with a clear pattern you want to make sure to match the pattern. This takes a bit of extra time and fabric but the end result is worth it.

CUTTING THE FABRIC

  • Floral Valance – Cut 2 @ 27″h x 54″ wide
  • Aqua Band – Cut 2 @ 7″ h x 54″ wide
  • Lining – Cut 2 @ 17.5″ h x 54″ wide

SEWING FABRIC TOGETHER

  • Sew the 2 pieces of 27″ high floral fabric together.
  • Once pieces are sewn together, take a look at the 27″ of pattern and choose the section you’d like to use for your valance.
  • Carefully cut your fabric 2 widths of fabric @ 17.5″ high.

The floral fabric will now be approx. 108″ wide by 17.5″ high with a center seam matching the pattern repeat.

HINT – Instead of sewing two 54″ pieces together you can cut one 54″ width in half and sew each 27″ width to the opposite edges of the remaining 54″ piece. This puts one seam to the left and one seam to the right avoiding a center seam in the middle of your valance.
Instead of 54+54=108 you’ll have 27+54+27=108 less seam allowances.

THE CONTRASTING AQUA BAND  

Valance Tutorial 4

For the contrasting band you’ll need 2 widths of fabric cut 7″ high x 54″ wide. 

Please, ignore the fact that the above photo shows multiple widths at 4″ wide. That’s actually a ruffle for a coordinating valance but the concept is the same!

  • Sew the 2 @ 7″ band pieces together and set aside.
  • Sew lining pieces together.

SEWING VALANCE TOGETHER

Valance Tutorial 6

  • Sew the aqua band to the lower portion of the floral fabric.
  • Sew the lining to the opposite side of the aqua band.
  • Carefully fold valance in half, wrong sides together, making sure you have exactly 3″ of band showing along the front of your valance and iron fold flat. Above you can see the fold line.

Valance Tutorial 7

Once the valance is folded together and the fold ironed in place you will have a nice crisp 3″ band along the lower edge of your valance.

  • Measure the valance, top to bottom, to ensure it’s 16″ length.
  • Fold the raw upper edge over to create a double 2″ hem along the upper portion of the valance.
  • The ends of the valance are still open at this point.

Valance Tutorial 5

  • Secure top hem with a blind hem stitch. The above photo is of the valance folded – right sides together – showing the finished 2″ double top hem along the back side of the valance.

A blind hem stitch is hardly visible from the front of your curtain. I prefer finishing my hems with this stitch but if you’re not comfortable with the blind hem stitch you can top stitch your hem in place or hand sew the hem.
Valance Tutorial 9

  • Fold the two ends creating a 1.5″ double seam along each side of the valance.

Valance Tutorial 8

This is what I mean by double hem. The top and side hems will each be folded twice creating a double hem. Valance Tutorial 10

  • Secure each side hem with a blind hem stitch or topstitching. Valance Tutorial 12
  • Once your side hems are stitched in place, whipstitched the upper and lower corners. Valance Tutorial 13
  • As you sew the three layers, run your needle through the two outside layers, skipping the center. Basically you’re enclosing the center layer within the outer two.
    Valance Tutorial 14
  • Closing these edges gives the valance and much more finished appearance.
    Valance Tutorial 15 Valance Tutorial 16
  • My machine didn’t like the thickness of the aqua fabric so I also whipstitched this portion of the hem closed. You can see the blind hem stitch in white above the aqua.
    Valance Tutorial 17
  • Whipstitch the aqua corners the same as the floral corners. Valance Tutorial 18

The number of rings you use and how far apart you space then will determine the size of the droop.
Less rings/further spacing = larger droop. More rings/closer spacing = smaller droop/no droop.

HINT – A good estimate for this look is placing the rings approximately 6-7″ apart on the curtain rod. This will allow for the rings to be 12-14″ apart on the curtain. This will vary some depending on the exact width of your valance.

Valance Tutorial 20

Here’s another look at the back side of the finished valance. I used clip rings here but you can sew on rings if you prefer.

The rings used here are 2″ in diameter.
Valance Tutorial 21As I mentioned above you can dress up this design by adding trim along the upper portion of the band if you desire.
Just be sure the length of your trim is equal to or shorter than the size of the band.

OPTIONS

Droop Valance with Band (2)

With this valance we used the same floral fabric but chose a solid teal with a sheen for the accent fabric.  We also used the same teal as a facing to include the contrast color in the droop.

This simple valance is so easy to make but sure gives you a lot of impact for the effort. Especially if you choose a bold fabric.

Please feel free to ask any questions regarding this tutorial in the comments below. I’ll be sure to answer your questions here so others can see the answer as well.

FABRICS
Floral Valance – Ladbroke Peacock by P. Kaufmann
Solid Band – Wonka Aqua @ fabricresource.com

Visit THE GALLERY for more sewing tutorials and window treatment inspiration. 

 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE…

How To Paint a Harlequin Wall 

How to Paint Black Harlequin Diamonds (3)

How to Sew a Pinch Pleat Valance

Pinch Pleat Valance (6)

Pin102
Share2
Tweet
+1
104 Shares
Courtney’s Guest House Remodel Progress Report
How to Fix a Comforter That’s Too Short

Comments

  1. Marsha says

    August 22, 2016 at 8:50 am

    Thanks so much for the tutorial… My question is where do you find the hardware to hang the curtains, valances etc. I’m having a hard time locating really nice hardware and I’m hoping you would know 🙂

    • Sonya says

      August 22, 2016 at 9:11 am

      I purchase quite a bit of hardware from fabricresource.com. I like both their metal and wood options. Also, I use a local steel manufacturer here in OKC, D&M Steel, that carries metal hardware. And of course, Lowes Home Improvements stores usually have a pretty good selection.

  2. Retha Pittman says

    August 23, 2016 at 8:32 am

    Sonya,
    I love this! I feel so fortunate that you share tutorials for us. That is very generous of you. Very. I sure enjoying sewing and love your style. I have wanted to make the cuff cafe curtain. Your tutorial is shown with a lace on lace cuff cafe curtain. Some time, I would love for you to consider showing that tutorial with patterned fabric because I have a difficult time discerning some of the steps (yes, yes I tend to depend too much on photos vs. instructions). 🙂 Thank you again for helping those of us who enjoying sewing and love your style to have a bit of that style in our own homes.

Follow Along

WELCOME


Hi, Everyone! I’m Sonya. Welcome! Would you like to create unique home decor that’s true to your decorating style? Curtains, pillows, bedding? Here at Sonya Hamilton Designs you’ll find the resources to accomplish just that. Or contact me for a custom order. I’d be delighted make your new decor items for you!

Custom Orders

colorful cafe curtain and valance

CUSTOM ORDERS are available!
Visit the SERVICES page for all the details. Or contact Sonya at
sonya@beyondthescreendoor.com

Categories

Search our site

Our Home

turquoise front door




facebook Twitter pinterest Instagram Google+ email