How-to Make a Lined Valance with Contrasting Band

Today 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.

• 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  

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

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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

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

• Secure each side hem with a blind hem stitch or topstitching. 
• Once your side hems are stitched in place, whipstitched the upper and lower corners. 
• 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.
  
• Closing these edges gives the valance and much more finished appearance.
  
• 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.
  
• Whipstitch the aqua corners the same as the floral corners. 

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.

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.
As 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

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. 

 

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