How
To Sew Pleated Valance
or
How To Make A Pleated
Valance
When making a pleated
valance, we first suggest that a pattern be
made on paper. Six inches should be allowed for
each pleat with space between each pleat of
eight inches in width. Lets assume, for
example, that a valance is to be made into five
pleats. It will be necessary 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
window trim should be at least 4" on each end,
making 8" for two turnbacks. Add 1/2" at each
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 made smaller or larger by reducing or
increasing the spaces between the pleats.
Most materials are not
sufficiently wide for valances and have to be
pieced. If a valance board is not used the 4"
for the turn-backs at the sides will not he
necessary. In the latter case an inch or two on
each side may he turned under or cut off,
according to the width of the window or the
inside corner blocks.
Valance boards should be
about 4 inches wide and long enough to come to
the edge of the window casing. The top of the
valance board should be on the level with the
upper edge of the window trim or casing. For a
well finished effect, the board should be
covered with lining similar to that used to
line the material. The valance is then tacked
on to the edge 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 middle 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 back 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 paper 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 window 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
follow is to make the valance one-sixth of the
height of the curtain treatment. If the window
is six feet and the curtains stop at the window
apron, the valance should be twelve inches
deep. If, however, the curtains go to the
floor, the average height of a window from the
top of the window casing to the floor is 9
feet, making the valance in this case 18"
deep.
The valance is lined by
placing the right side of the lining and
material together, cutting the lining so it
extends 1/2" beyond the material at the bottom.
Stitch across the top and at the sides. Turn
the valance inside out so that the wrong sides
are together and baste across the lower edge,
1/2" lining showing beyond the edge of the
bottom of the material.
If a fringe or other edging
is to be used, it is placed underneath next to
the lining upside down so that the top edge of
the fringe is even with the edge of the lining
and will not be noticeable against any wood
corner blocks. With the fringe and lining in
position, stitch together, then turn the edge
of the lining and fringe up over the front edge
of the material and sew neatly together for
these stitches will show on the back and front.
Remove the basting threads that are left.
To make the pleats, draw the
material together as indicated on the pattern
where 6" has been allowed for each pleat and
baste together. The fold is then made into a
box pleat or pinch pleat. A pinch pleat is made
by gathering the 0" fold together and dividing
it into three small folds and sewing the three
folds securely in place.
A box pleat is made by
drawing the material together and getting the
effect of a straight pleat as shown in the
illustrations previously referred to. For
making shaped valances, it is advisable to
first make a paper pattern and place it in
position in order to study its lines and
proportions. For accuracy fold the paper in the
middle and draw half of the design. Cut the
other half by it.
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