How to Make a Sleeve Valance in Sewing
- 1). Measure the width of your curtain; call this measurement A. Measure the height that you want for your valance, from the top of the window to the part of the window where you want the valance to fall; call this measurement B. Double measurement A, and for measurement B double it and add two inches.
- 2). Cut your fabric to match the measurements you calculated in step one. Pre-wash and dry the fabric and then press it smooth with an iron.
- 3). Fold in all four sides of the fabric by 1/2 inch and press. Pin in place with straight pins and sew these seams in place using a straight stitch.
- 4). Fold the fabric in half with wrong sides facing out. Now your fabric should be twice measurement A and it should be the height of measurement B plus one inch. Pin the fabric together around the edges. Sew a straight stitch seam across the top edge and a straight stitch parallel to the top edge down one inch. Sew the side seams between these two seams; in other words, sew down from the top of the curtains to a distance of one inch. This will be the top portion of your valance that will sit above the curtain rod.
- 5). Measure the height of the curtain rod. Measure down from the top of the curtain for this height of the rod plus one extra inch. Place a pin at this mark on either side of the fabric. Sew a straight seam across the fabric between the two pins, and then sew the side seams going downward from the pins to the folded bottom edge of the fabric. The unsewn portion of the side seams will form the sleeve; poke the curtain rod through this sleeve and hang the valance, gathering the fabric as you do so to match the width of the window.
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