DIY Tutorial: Make Your Own No-Sew Valences

Recently, I posted the step-by-step tutorial on how to create your own no-sew Pottery Barn inspired linen drape shades.  Up today is something almost identical but even easier! How to make a no-sew valence.  My friend Heather (who has submitted posts here and here) asked me for help in making some adorable valences for her son's bedroom.  Her son is turning 6 this Summer and he's really into baseball, and being a die hard Yankees fan since birth, Heather was happy to oblige and encourage this.  So she found some cute baseball fabric at her local fabric store and we got to work.

The steps are essentially the same as the in the drape shade tutorial above.  

First step: measure your windows and figure out how long you want the valence to hang.  Open mouth and talk the entire time to ensure insane pictures. 

Once you know your measurements, you can cut your fabric.  To account for the "hem" on the sides, you should add about two inches to your side and bottom measurements and about four inches to the top measurement.   

Second step:  create your hem on the sides the the bottom. This is very easy to do: simply place your seam tape in between your layers of fabric, fold the fabric over onto itself and iron.  I've used a bunch of different brands of seam tape, so it's best to follow the instructions on the back, as they are all a little different. 

Third step:  create your pole pocket.  This is where you hang the curtain from.  I find that a two-inch gap is more than sufficient.  Measure and fold the top part over, which will create a two-inch gap at the top, where you insert the tension rods.  It's important to go slowly here so that your top hem is straight and even.   You could even put the rod in the pocket as you iron.  Repeat steps 1-3 with each panel. 

Third step: hang the curtains.  Don't they look great?  

Talk to us about your curtains!  Have you ever tried the DIY route?  


See you swoon,