TUTORIAL: Lined Valance

I was in the need for some new kitchen curtains, and since I was looking for something simplistic in style, I knew I would end up making them myself.

Believe it or not, curtains can be quite easy to make.  Perhaps the best part of making them is that the sky is the limit when it comes to fabric!

This tutorial will show you how to make this simple, straight valance.  These are lined, but you don't have to line them if you don't want to!  Feel free to use any type of fabric.  I choose to use a home decor weight from Premier Prints.  For the lining I used cheap old muslin.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Main Fabric (yardage based on measurements)
• Lining (yardage based on measurements)

STEP 1:  Measure

• Measure the width (A) of your window and decide how long (B) you wish your curtains to be.

• Add 5" to the length and 3" to the width.  These are the"adjusted dimensions" mentioned below.  (I wanted my curtain to be 37"W x 14"L, so cut my main fabric to 40"W x 19"L)

STEP 2: Cut

• Cut your main fabric to your adjusted dimensions.  

• Cut your lining fabric 2" less all around.  (My measurements ended up being 38"W x 17"L)

STEP 3:  Set Hems

• Fold in one side of your main fabric piece by 1/2".  Iron flat.

• Fold this same side in again by 1" concealing the raw edge.

• Repeat this for the other side and the BOTTOM of the panel, overlapping the bottom over the sides.  (For a more finished look, you could miter the corners, however I did not.)

• Now on to the top...fold the top in by 1/2".  Iron flat.  Then fold over again, this time 2".  Iron flat.  Once ironed and creased nicely, UNFOLD temporarily so only the 1/2" edge is folded over.

STEP 4:  Add Lining

• Place your lining fabric on the back side of the curtain, tucking the raw edges underneath.  See how the top edge is only folded over once?  This is correct.  Don't worry about folding that over the 2" until later....

• Pin in place, taking care to line up the corners nicely.

STEP 5:  Sew

• With the curtain panel right side down, sew down one side, across the bottom and back up the other side about 1/4" in from the inside edge of the hem.

STEP 6: Finish

• Finish up the curtain by folding over the top edge by 2" as you had before.  Iron flat once again, this time the lining will be tucked under.  

• As before, sew across the top hem 1/4" from the inside edge, leaving about 1 3/4 pocket.

And that's it!  

Hang it up and enjoy!!