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Sonya Hamilton Designs

When Fabric Design & Pattern Repeat Influence Window Treatments

By Sonya

Scalloped Box Pleat Valance

Several weeks ago, Sandy contacted me about a new valance for her kitchen. She already had her fabrics picked out as well as an inspiration photo.
Scalloped Valance

What made this scalloped valance a bit trickier than other valances was the large rooster pattern in her fabric and the necessity of paying close attention to the pattern repeat.
If you look close you’ll notice the pattern repeated within the valances above. A more subtle repeat but still evident.

Ktichen Window BeforeDue to the size of Sandy’s window we chose to make three scallops instead of the two shown in her inspiraton photo.

This valance is 20″ long at it’s longest point by 76.5″ wide – finished.
Each scallop is 25.5″ wide.
Box Pleat Scalloped ValanceEach center plaid section is 12″ wide before being folded to form the pleats.
Attaching hand made bias tape

The binding along the lower edge was made by creating a 1/2″ seam binding. How to make bias tape trim

These short pieces show the process of creating the seam binding.
1. Cut 2″ strips along the bias of your fabric
2. Fold and iron in half to form a 1″ piece
3. Open fold and iron 1/2″ in on each side to align with ironed fold, again creating a 1″ piece
4. Fold in half again to form the 1/2″ finished binding
Hand made bias tape

The lining for this valance was cut to match each scallop and pleat. The lining and face of the valance was then pinned, wrong sides together.
The binding was pinned along the lower edge and top stitched in place.
Contrasting Pleats and Bias Trim on Valance

Up close view of the top stitching. Contrating Pleats in Scalloped Valance

The valance was then folded and pinned in place to form the correct finished width, ironed and stapled to a 1″x 3″ board measuring 76.5″ long. Box Pleat Valance

Scalloped Box Pleat Valance

Making sure the pattern was centered both vertically and horizontally was definitely a bit tricky but so worth it for the finished valance.
When working with a large pattern be sure to take in to consideration the size of your pattern and repeat when figuring the yardage for your project. More fabric is required when using a large pattern…especially with this style of valance.
End Pleats on Scalloped Valance

For the returns, I included another pleat, making the return out of the rooster fabric and finishing the edges by continuing the binding up the end of the return.
I had never included this detail before and I really like how it turned out.Scalloped Box Pleat Board Valance

And the finished valance, professionally displayed sitting on top of a chest.

Scalloped Valance

And now hanging in Sandy’s kitchen. Thanks for the photos, Sandy!
After Sandy and her husband installed the valance they decided cafe curtains would be just the thing to finished their kitchen. So…next project is coordinating cafe curtains!

Sources
Fabric – P.Kaufmann County Fair Yellow Rooster

For more details on how to construct a board mounted valance visit this post…
How to Make a Board Mounted Valance

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Comments

  1. Stacey says

    October 15, 2015 at 10:51 am

    How gorgeous! I have always loved that fabric. The fabric and the design are so perfectly french country.

  2. Jeanie says

    October 15, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    Absolutely beautiful!!

  3. Paula says

    October 16, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    Oh, my, word!!! These are so perfect for her kitchen. I love the fabrics chosen along
    with the style of valance. This is just too cute!!!

  4. katzcradul says

    October 29, 2015 at 10:22 am

    And when kids ask why you need math skills, this is your answer! For making custom curtains and such! LOL

  5. Jennifer M. says

    October 29, 2015 at 11:03 am

    These are beautiful! You are a fantastic seamstress!

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Hi, Everyone! I’m Sonya. Welcome!
My sincerest wish is for you to find inspiration for yourself, your home or your next project here at Sonya Hamilton Designs. THE GALLERY is a great place to begin. Thanks for visiting!

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