How to Use a Curtain Panel as a Valance
By Janet Beal
There is no rule that says curtain panels have to come in pairs or that all the curtains in a window have to be the same size. One of the easiest and seamless ways to cover your curtains is to make a valance from another curtain panel. With a little sewing - although much less than you would with fabric by the yard - you can create a wide variety of valance looks and styles.
Sheer Scarf Valances
A scarf valance wraps or ties around a separate pole mounted outside and in front of the rod that holds your curtains. Its length is determined by adding the width of your window and the scarf tails, the ends that drape the front of the curtains. For a 30 inch wide window, for example, a single panel 84 inches long could make a lightly draped valance, requiring 34 inches of fabric across the width of the window, with symmetrical tails of 25 inches each or more dramatic 20 inches on one side and 30 inches on the other. Use plastic drapery ties or ribbon to anchor ottomans, canopies or rosettes, giving your room a romantic air. different color or texture for your sheer scarf valance adds interest, giving your windows a finished look at night while letting daylight fill the room. This flowing look is perfect for any room with large glass surfaces and access to the outside.
Heavier Scarf Valances
A curtain panel of medium-weight fabric, such as broadcloth, home yarn, or damask, makes a sash best suited for a traditional or eclectic decor scheme. rods and secured with invisible fasteners or self-adhesive hook-and-loop tape. Mid-weight opaque fabric makes your windows look slightly warmer than sheer scarves without significantly reducing daylight or your view. Improve coordination by covering one or more cushions with the curtain fabric you have chosen for your valances. This look fits well in eclectic, vintage and traditional decor.
Pleated Valances
An even more formal valance, suitable for use with medium-weight curtains, can be created by folding your panel into pleats, draping it, and anchoring it to the curtain rod brackets or poles. Anchoring pleated fabric in the center of the rod with a plastic tie makes it easier to handle and arrange the rest of the material.Using a panel of fabric identical to that of the curtains will give you a traditional look obtained with made-to-measure valance much more elaborate. Make the look even more elegant by concealing the drapery ties with grosgrain ribbon in an overall décor color, or anchor and accentuate the valance shape with an additional set of tiebacks identical to those used for fix the curtains.
Gathered Valances
Short panels in matching or contrasting fabrics can be used to make gathered valances. A pretty valance brightens up a small or irregularly sized window and can be all the curtain it needs. Some printed curtains offer a choice of coordinating colors ;Give a custom look to playroom windows: blue curtains are printed with yellow balloons, while their yellow valances feature blue balloons. Pink chintz bedroom curtains and their white valances share a wild rose pattern wine color.For a short valance, cut enough fabric at the bottom of one panel so that when folded in half and anchored with iron-on tape, you will get the depth you want.The rod pocket you don't need not cut allows you to gather the finished valance on the rod. Iron a pronounced pleat for a simple ruffle, or fluff the fabric for a blouso look n or balloon.
Custom Valances
A number of sewing blogs describe individually developed ways to make custom pleated or flat valances. Be aware though that many involve sewing, either by hand or by machine, or assume you are skilled enough to hang and secure the fabric. You may want to balance the cost of a pre-made valance against the time and skill you will need to tailor a curtain panel (see Reference 2).
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Biography of the writer
Janet Beal has written for various websites, covering a variety of topics including gardening, home, child development and cultural issues. Her work has been published on early childhood education websites and of Consumer Education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Harvard University and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from the College of New Rochelle.
