MATERIALS
54-inch-wide decorator fabric for valance and top cover
54-inch-wide decorator fabric for pleats
Lining fabric
Straight pins
Iron, ironing board
Sewing thread in matching colors
1⁄2-inch-thick mounting board
Staple gun, staples
L brackets, screwdriver, screws

INSTRUCTIONS
Note: Sew with right sides together using 1⁄2-inch seam allowances unless otherwise noted.

Determine the finished width of the valance based on where it will be mounted outside the window trim. Determine the amount of the return (the distance from the wall to the front of the valance) needed to clear the window trim and any shade headers or curtain hardware mounted behind the valance.

Determine the number of inverted pleats you would like to have across the finished width of the valance, spacing them equally, as shown in the photo, above right. (Typical spacing is 6–10 inches apart.) Do not include the returns when you are figuring the number of pleats.

Determine the size to cut the valance fabric. (Length = desired finished length + 2-1⁄2 inches. Width = desired finished width + returns + 4 inches for side hems + 5 inches for each pleat.) Cut decorator fabric to these measurements. If the valance is wider than the fabric, sew fabric lengths together, matching patterns as needed, to achieve the desired width.

Determine the placement of the first pleat by measuring in from one edge of the valance the depth of the return, plus 2 inches for the side hem, plus the amount of space allowed between each set of pleats. Measure 2-1⁄2 inches on each side of this spot, and mark vertical lines down the fabric length with straight pins at these marks. These pin lines mark the folds of the first pleat. Repeat this measuring and pinning process from the other edge of the valance to mark the other outer pleat. To mark the remaining pleats, measure the determined space between pleats from the center of one marked pleat to the center of the next, then mark with pins 2-1⁄2 inches from each side of the pleats’ centers.

For contrasting pleats, as shown in the photo, above, cut a piece of pleat fabric 5 inches wide and the length of the valance fabric; repeat for each pleat. Cut the valance fabric apart vertically down the center of each 5-inch-wide marked pleat.

With right sides together and matching raw edges, position a piece of pleat fabric on the valance fabric along the first cut edge for the first pleat; sew, and press seam allowances toward the valance fabric. Align the other edge of the pleat fabric with the second cut edge of the valance fabric for the first pleat; sew, and press seam allowances toward the valance fabric. Repeat to secure each piece of pleat fabric to each pleat cut in the valance fabric. This positions the contrasting fabric inside the inverted pleats.

Determine the size to cut lining fabric. (Length = length of the sewn valance fabric – 1 inch. Width = width of the sewn valance fabric – 4 inches.) Cut lining. Position lining on valance with right sides together, lining up the bottom raw edges and centering lining fabric across the width of the valance (2 inches in from each edge). Sew along bottom, open flat, and press seam allowance toward lining fabric. Turn lining fabric to wrong side of valance and match raw edge to top raw edge of valance; pin in place, folding valance front to back along bottom. Press bottom folded edge to form hem. Turn under each raw edge of valance front 1 inch twice to form side hems, enclosing raw edge of lining; press and sew.

Bring pinned lines on the front of the valance together to the center of each pleat fabric to form each inverted pleat; pin in place. For creased pleats, pin the pleat at the hem also. Baste upper edge of the valance together to secure valance fabric, lining, and pleats together. Press pleats in place.

Cut a piece of wood as long as the width of the finished valance and as wide as the determined valance return measurement. This piece will be mounted parallel to the ceiling, like a shelf above the window.

Determine the size to cut the valance cover piece. (Length = length of the wood + 1-1⁄2 inches. Width = width of the wood + 1 inch.) Cut cover piece. Turn under one long edge of fabric 1⁄2-inch twice; sew. Mark the center of the other long edge. Position valance on the cover piece with right sides together, lining up the top of the valance with the long raw edge of the cover piece and matching center points. Pin valance to the three unhemmed edges of the cover piece, turning corners and easing fit to line up the valance ends with the hemmed edge of the cover piece. Sew, pivoting fabric at corners. Clip corners for a smooth fit. Turn right side out.

Position valance on the wood with the cover over the top of the wood and the valance hanging from the front edge of the wood; staple on top through fabric to secure. Mount with L brackets.



For additional window treatments see:
Easy Window Panels
Roll-Up Shade
Roman Shade