Making Valances and Drapes

[DawnCt1]

I have VERY BASIC sewing skills but I found some material that I love. It has a coordinating fabric and I would love to have a valance and perhaps, drapes for my dining room. The valance definately. I can make throw pillows and in fact, might even be able to put cording around them, its the valance for 110 in wide window I am not sure of. Is this something that is easy to do? How about lined drapes. I found the fabric at JoAnn's' Fabric. It looks like Waverly but it isn't because I have searched all the fabric sites. They won't tell me the manufacturer so I can't search to see if there are already drapes made in that pattern. Any suggestions will be helpful.

 

[crz4mm2]

What kind of valance Dawn?
Some valances are quite simple. Depends upon what kind you want. Then of course there are the just drape it over a rod kind those are really easy
Lined drapes are a bit tougher but not real hard. Also depends upon how heavy the fabric. You can always sew them separate and then just hang together so you don't have to sew them together kwim?

 

[DawnCt1]

What kind of valance Dawn?
Some valances are quite simple. Depends upon what kind you want. Then of course there are the just drape it over a rod kind those are really easy
Lined drapes are a bit tougher but not real hard. Also depends upon how heavy the fabric. You can always sew them separate and then just hang together so you don't have to sew them together kwim?

I am thinking that a gathered valance would be the easiest. The fabric is a cotton polyester, kind of Waverlyish but it isn't. Wish I knew what it was and I wouldn't have to sew it.

 

[crz4mm2]

I am thinking that a gathered valance would be the easiest. The fabric is a cotton polyester, kind of Waverlyish but it isn't. Wish I knew what it was and I wouldn't have to sew it.

Yes, if it is just a gathered valance it is very easy. Two lines of stitches at the top with a hem and a hem at the bottom.... that's about it. The two lines at the top are far enough apart to allow the curtain rod between them.... Make it double the length of the curtain rod to make it nice and full. That's about it... if you want a simple one.
http://www.countrycurtains.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=189
Look at the valances here. course you don't have to put a ruffle on it and these aren't that full....

Is this anything like you have in mind?
I used to make all my own curtains, back in the day Now I buy panels and hang them over rods to make valances and just use other panels. easy.

 

[DawnCt1]

Yes, if it is just a gathered valance it is very easy. Two lines of stitches at the top with a hem and a hem at the bottom.... that's about it. The two lines at the top are far enough apart to allow the curtain rod between them.... Make it double the length of the curtain rod to make it nice and full. That's about it... if you want a simple one.
http://www.countrycurtains.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=189
Look at the valances here. course you don't have to put a ruffle on it and these aren't that full....

Is this anything like you have in mind?
I used to make all my own curtains, back in the day Now I buy panels and hang them over rods to make valances and just use other panels. easy.

What about a more tailored look. If I doubled the fabric, folded it in two and then sewed rings at one edge then I could put it on a decorative rod. Do they have ring type clips so I wouldn't have to sew the rings on and more or less just make a long scarf. I could then let the ends hang down on either side like a faux jabot. Would that work? What is the length on a topper?

 

[SpecialK]

Can't answer your sewing question, but I did get clips with rings out of the Penneys catalog.

 

[denisem]

What about a more tailored look. If I doubled the fabric, folded it in two and then sewed rings at one edge then I could put it on a decorative rod. Do they have ring type clips so I wouldn't have to sew the rings on and more or less just make a long scarf. I could then let the ends hang down on either side like a faux jabot. Would that work? What is the length on a topper?

They have clip on rings (I'm looking into it for a doorwall). For the drapes, instead of doubling the fabric, which would also double the fabric price , I'd use a less expensive plain fabric (I've even used a king size sheet, depending on the size of your window). I'd go with the previous poster's idea of making the lining separately (and slightly smaller) and just attaching it to the "real" drapes at the top, so drapes & lining would hang separately.

Any way you go, the key to good looking drapes is to get enough fullness.

 

[DawnCt1]

They have clip on rings (I'm looking into it for a doorwall). For the drapes, instead of doubling the fabric, which would also double the fabric price , I'd use a less expensive plain fabric (I've even used a king size sheet, depending on the size of your window). I'd go with the previous poster's idea of making the lining separately (and slightly smaller) and just attaching it to the "real" drapes at the top, so drapes & lining would hang separately.

Any way you go, the key to good looking drapes is to get enough fullness.

thanks, would you double the fabric for the valance though? I think I would end up seeing both sides if I did the faux jabot.

 

[denisem]

thanks, would you double the fabric for the valance though? I think I would end up seeing both sides if I did the faux jabot.

It's personal preference, but I like the look of contrasting lining on jabots. You can pick out a solid color from your print to "peek out". I made a scalloped valance and jabots (bottom left in photo) http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M3089.htm?tab=home_decorating&page=5. They are LOTS easier than they look. The jabots and each scallop (or straight panel) are done separately and you just bunch them all together on the rod so it looks like one piece.

 

[DawnCt1]

It's personal preference, but I like the look of contrasting lining on jabots. You can pick out a solid color from your print to "peek out". I made a scalloped valance and jabots (bottom left in photo) http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M3089.htm?tab=home_decorating&page=5. They are LOTS easier than they look. The jabots and each scallop (or straight panel) are done separately and you just bunch them all together on the rod so it looks like one piece.

Ooh, very nice. I like that idea. Now I have to decide if I want straight or scalloped. That might be the best way to go because then I wouldn't have to buy another rod, I could use the one I have.

 

[RNMOM]

Dawn,

If you looked at the fabric at the store, there should be printed info on the selvage for the manufacturer and the pattern of the design. You might have to unroll it a bit. I have seen it on most of the fabrics that are for home decorating. It should be on the bolt end if not there. Can't understand why they wouldn't tell you.

BTW, I also made those same valances as denisem and they turned out really nice. I used a waveryly type print and lined it in white. It had mid range shades of blues, greens, corals and lots of other colors in small bits. I had coral walls and it was beautiful. I wish I still had that bedroom.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thank you for this thread Dawn.

I want some drapes and curtains but I hate everything I see that is "cheap" and I want something decent that matches without paying for a professional.....we can't afford that now.

I think I am going to do it as well. I have a sewing machine and some basic sewing skills as well.

 

[DawnCt1]

I have ordered furniture that I picked out here in Ct from North Carolina so I know what it will look like. The fabric looks like a natural (lt beige) silk and I ordered an off white cotton type brocade fabric for the high back chair and otoman. I couldn't believe that I saw the fabric for the chair at JoAnn's Fabrics yesterday. Its in the Nautica line. I have seats in the dining room chairs that will be so easy to do that even I CAN DO IT! Cut, wrap and staple. As soon as the rug that I ordered from Overstock.com arrives today, I am going to Lowes, get the staple gun and staple remover and head over to JoAnn's and get the dining room fabric. While I am there I will look at the other fabric bolt for more info. Good idea!~ I will also pick up a pattern. My dining room and living room are almost adjoining so it is impossible to do one without the other. I don't have window treatments on the french doors going outside, never felt I needed them. I think I will get one of those wide, 4"or 5" flat metal things that goes across the top and sew a gathered sleeve for the striped coordinating fabric. I fixed my sewing machine yesterday, the tensions were off as someone had told me a couple of months ago on this very helpful Dis board. I have a light plum (almost mauve, so 80's) area rug with a darker plum border. I was going to ditch it but these swatches that I picked up make it look totally different. I may end up ditching it but there won't be a rush. I wanted a mildly tropical feel to the room so I found really nice framed matching palm tree pictures with neutral and green tones. I also found pineapple lamps with silky, natural shades. From Penneys, ON SALE. I LOVE THEM.