Tuesday, October 14, 2014
UPDATE TO DROP CLOTH VALANCES
I just finished laying out the fabric for the last four windows. I ended up using 2 drop cloths at $7.99 each, and 5 yards of cotton duck from Hobby Lobby at $8.99 a yard, less my 40% off coupon. That makes valances for FOURTEEN windows under $50. Not bad considering the valance I liked at countrycurtains.com (Parisian Note Lined Pleated Valance) was $69.50 FOR ONE!
DROP CLOTH VALANCES
2. One window width is 37 inches, and I want two pleats, so I divided the measurement in 3. I measured and marked 12 inches in from each side. I folded the fabric in half, and measured and marked six and 1/2 inches in from the fold. The fabric between the marks forms the pleats. This valance ends up with 12 inches of fabric, 4 inches for pleat, 13 inches of fabric, 4 inches for pleat, 12 inches of fabric.
Using a soluble marker, draw a line 3 inches down from the top edge and stitch the pleats, right sides together. After stitching the pleats I measured the width of the valance to double check that it was 37 inches wide. Iron the pleats in place. For a more crisp pleat, you can edge stitch the folds. I edge stitched the inside folds. The drop cloths are not a "crisp" fabric, so pressing and using some starch helps hold the pleat folds.
3. Iron the raw edge of the trim fabric that will form the bottom edge of the rod pocket. Stitch the other edge to the top of the valance, right side of the trim fabric to the wrong side of the valance. Iron the trim and seam allowance up, then stitch along the edge of the trim, through all the layers. Pin the casing in place, press to the front of the valance, then stitch through all the layers on the bottom edge of the rod pocket casing.
3. Iron the raw edge of the trim fabric that will form the bottom edge of the rod pocket. Stitch the other edge to the top of the valance, right side of the trim fabric to the wrong side of the valance. Iron the trim and seam allowance up, then stitch along the edge of the trim, through all the layers. Pin the casing in place, press to the front of the valance, then stitch through all the layers on the bottom edge of the rod pocket casing.
This project is an intermediate level, and assumes basic sewing skills. There is really as much measuring and ironing involved as sewing. Give drop cloths a try for your next window project, especially if you have a lot of windows to cover. I'm thinking up additional projects to use the leftover fabric on. And let me know how your valances turn out.
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