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window valance ~ soft top treatments
Ideas and Projects for Making Valances
A decorative valance or top treatment can make a big statement in your room, with minimal investment in fabric and time. Your options are wide open, with fabric, trims and other embellishments.
If you don't sew there are still alternatives for making a valance. With fabric glue and iron on adhesives, you can no longer use the excuse that you can't sew. You can glue layers of fabric together, hem with glue or iron on tapes, glue on fringe and trims, and even make your rod pockets with glue. Just be sure you use adhesives that are made for fabric, and are washable if it's something you'll be washing. Do not use regular glue-gun glue!
As you investigate these valances & top treatments, keep an open mind. You might be able to combine two together, or use an idea from one to change another style completely! Then it'll really be your own design!
styles
~ How to make a basic rod pocket valance for a 2 1/2" continental rod. Sew a piece of contrast fabric over the pocket area or at the hemline to give it some accent. You could add fringe or beads at the bottom, or sew big buttons at regular intervals on the rod pocket. This is an easy one to customize.
~ French Inspired Valance - use two coordinating fabrics for this treatment with matching shade. Full instructions including demo pictures. This is very professional looking, yet simple to make.
~ Tab Top - Material requirements & excellent instructions. Use for making a curtain too, adjusting length as necessary.
~ Sheer Top Treatment with tassels - A decorative top treatment softens a bare window and adds emphasis to one with plain treatments. Also includes a napkin window topper, and toppers using ruffles and beaded trim.
~ A Faux Shade Valance - Another one that's just a flat piece of fabric, but it's held up with ties to give it some substance. Depending on your fabric, use ribbon, chiffon or other type scarf, contrast fabric ties, belts, chain, twisted cord or even rope! You can make it so it really ties, or just looks like it ties, or with the belts use the buckle that's already there! Use Ultra Suede and tie it up with strips of the suede (cut them squiggly not even) and add a couple conchos.
~ Making swags - Instructions for measuring your window, calculating fabric needs and making an over the rod window swag and also one for using swag holders.
~ No-Sew Simple Striped Swag - and 3 other simple and quick ideas.
~ Two simple flat toppers that just use a tension rod.
~ Reversible Topper - Two looks in one.
~ Ultra Suede on a Stick - Easy to do for a western theme.
~ Roman Shade Top Treatment - actually it just looks like a roman shade.
~ Awning Top Treatment - These look so cute in a kids room or in the kitchen!
~ Quick Change Window - If you're one of those people who like to change their decor with the seasons, this valance is for you!
~ Very cute tab-type valance and side panels. Excellent directions incl. how to make the knobs to hang it!
~ Banner Topper - It's made from canvas and painted!
pelmet
~ A classic Pelmet Style Valance - Pelmets are nice because you can shape the bottom easily any way you want, and they are flat and use less fabric. You finish them off with trims of your choice. Here's a good example of one.
~ Starry Nights - Window top treatment that mounts with hook and loop to rod. For the baby's room.
~ Make a no sew Pelmet - It's made flat, of stiffened fabric with a shaped bottom. You use fusibles. Great way to use that expensive fabric.
~ Pelmet & Cascade Valance - This is a fairly easy treatment that gives the appearance of a much more complicated style. Try it with contrast fabric for the flat underneath part.
helpful hints
How to measure for your window top treatments.
If at all possible, have your under treatments and valance hardware installed before you even take measurements so you can get accurate size measurements and fabric calculations for your top treatments.
