When making a pleated valance, we first suggest that a pattern be prefabricated on paper. Six inches should be allowed for apiece pleat with space between apiece pleat of eight inches in width. Let’s assume, for example, that a valance is to be prefabricated into five pleats. It will be needed to allow 30″ for the pleats. There are to be 6 spaces between the pleats of 8″ each, making a total of 48″.

The material needed at the two ends to turn the corners and reach the pane cut should be at least 4″ on apiece end, making 8″ for two turnbacks. Add 1/2″ at apiece end for hems, making 1″ additional. The total width of material needed is 30″ plus 48″ plus 8″ plus 1″ = 87″. When the pleats are drawn together, as indicated in the illustration, the final width of the valance is 57″. The valance may be prefabricated smaller or larger by reducing or increasing the spaces between the pleats.

Most materials are not sufficiently panoramic for valances and have to be pieced. If a valance commission is not used the 4″ for the turn-backs at the sides will not he necessary. In the latter housing an inch or two on apiece side may he turned under or cut off, according to the width of the pane or the exclusive crossway blocks.

Valance boards should be about 4 inches panoramic and long enough to come to the bounds of the pane casing. The top of the valance commission should be on the level with the upper bounds of the pane cut or casing. For a well finished effect, the commission should be covered with covering similar to that used to line the material. The valance is then tacked on to the bounds of the valance board.

If a curtain rod is to be used for the valance, triple rods may be purchased. The inner rod to be used for the glass curtains, the region one for the over-draperies and the outside one for the valance. Valances may be attached to the curtain rod. Hooks are sewed on the backwards into the pleats when the pleats are being made. Extra hooks may be placed between the pleats which help to keep the heading upright. Rings are sometimes used instead of hooks and they are slipped over the rod.

After the essay pattern is completed, we would suggest cutting a model out of muslin or other cheap material, pin the pleats in place, try the model at the pane to see how it fits and at the same time determine its height. The height of the valance is determined by the height of the window.

A good general proportion to study is to attain the valance one-sixth of the height of the curtain treatment. If the pane is six feet and the curtains kibosh at the pane apron, the valance should be dozen inches deep. If, however, the curtains go to the floor, the cipher height of a pane from the top of the pane casing to the story is 9 feet, making the valance in this housing 18″ deep.

The valance is lined by placing the right side of the covering and material together, cutting the covering so it extends 1/2″ beyond the material at the bottom. Stitch crossways the top and at the sides. Turn the valance exclusive out so that the criminal sides are together and baste crossways the modify edge, 1/2″ covering display beyond the bounds of the bottom of the material.

If a fringe or other edging is to be used, it is placed underneath next to the covering upside down so that the top bounds of the fringe is even with the bounds of the covering and will not be noticeable against any wood crossway blocks. With the fringe and covering in position, stitch together, then turn the bounds of the covering and fringe up over the face bounds of the material and sew neatly together for these stitches will show on the backwards and front. vanish the basting threads that are left.

To attain the pleats, entertainer the material together as indicated on the pattern where 6″ has been allowed for apiece pleat and baste together. The crimp is then prefabricated into a box pleat or crop pleat. A crop pleat is prefabricated by gathering the 0″ crimp together and dividing it into threesome small folds and needlecraft the threesome folds securely in place.

A box pleat is prefabricated by art the material together and effort the effect of a straight pleat as shown in the illustrations previously referred to. For making shaped valances, it is advisable to first attain a essay pattern and place it in function in order to study its lines and proportions. For accuracy crimp the essay in the region and entertainer half of the design. Cut the other half by it.