Materials:
fabric
craft foam in various colors
pre-cut foam shapes
pins
snag-free hook and loop tape
straightedge
rotary cutter
cutting mat
craft glue
photos
scissors
fusible webbing (optional)
iron (optional)
Steps :
1. Cut a piece of fabric that is 1-1/2 times the window width and twice as long as the desired finished length.
2. Measure the chosen rod diameter and add two inches for the finished tab length . Cut the fabric into pieces that are five inches wide and as long as the finished tab measurement. Determine the amount of tabs (usually an odd amount) by folding the valance in half several times and marking the folds with a pin for tab placement .
3. Fold each tab piece in half with right sides together and sew along the edge with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn and press them so the seam is down the back center.
4. Place the valance fabric flat with the right side up. Go in about 1-1/2 inches from the top corner edge and pin a tab in place with the raw edges toward the valance top. Evenly pin the tabs along the top edge and machine-baste them in place.
5. Fold the bottom edge of the valance fabric up to meet the top edge so the right sides are together. Stitch along the raw edge with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn and press.
6. Fold the excess in on each end to create a double hem and stitch or fuse as desired.
7. Sew a two-inch piece of hook and loop tape just below each tab on the front side.
8. Cut fun front and back shapes out of the craft foam with openings for pictures . Put a piece of hook and loop tape on the back of the backing and sandwich a picture between it and the front. Glue the pieces together and glue pre-cut shapes around the edges. Embellish pre-cut hand shapes with more designs as desired (figure A). Arrange them along the valance.
Tips:
- Use mirror shapes embellished with glass accents, glow-in-the-dark stars, letters or thick foam stamps as designs along the valance top.
- For an adult motif, glue wallpaper designs to balsa wood and cut around the edges for a dimensional accent (color the raw edges with a marker).
Resources Velcro hook-and-loop tape
Available at local sewing and fabric outlets.
Velcro USA Inc.
Manchester, NH
Toll-free: 800-225-0180
Website:
www.velcro.com
Guests Pamela (Pam) Hastings
Home-Economics Expert
E-mail:
hastpam@optonline.net
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