Anybody Got Any Good Ideas for a Valence Design?

Update 2-12-2008: I see a lot of people Googling "How to Make Valences" and ending up on this post. I finally got the valances finished and you can see them here. The book I recommend on that post, which I got from the library, has excellent ideas on very attractive, stylish valances and shows you how to make them, though you do need some sewing skill and intuition for some of the plans. The Reader's Digest book recommended below is very good for beginners and others who need a refresher. Good luck and please leave a comment!

Original post here:

Lily and I agreed on some fabric for the valences, which is great news.  (No, the room isn't finished and the garage sale where we were going to get rid of Bowflex and everything else with our neighbor has been called off. Paul went to a Bat Mitzvah in Philadelphia and forbade me to paint last weekend because I paint exuberantly and he didn't buy that much paint. When I am forbidden to paint, I quickly find other ways to fill my time.)

Anyway. Just looking for suggestions on a valence design. I can sew. I just hate to. I used to write myself instructions on how I was going to make something before sewing -- step-by-step instructions. Then I would proceed to drink while I sewed (I really hate to sew) and would just follow the instructions. Now my heart pounds and races when I drink (unknown reason but heart checks out fine) and it is so very unpleasant and scary that I'd rather sew sober. So, you know how scary that heart-pounding must be.

For more help, try this Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. The styles in this book are old-fashioned but the techniques are easy to understand and use. You can do anything with this book.

If you want something custom made out of great fabric so you won't have to take to drink and start sewing, check out polkatotdesigns.

To see the atrocity in progress, go back to this link and click on the photos.

By the way, I'm not throwing ads at you. The Reader's Digest book is out of print (I think) but used copies are out there.

Thanks!

Comments

[Lori]

www.polkatotdesigns.com click on window treatments - we have valances! :)

[Anwyn]

There's a valance I'm going to make for son's room .... someday ... I've only had the fabric for at least two years ...

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_windows_valances_swags/article/0,,HGTV_3544_1399293,00.html

[Anne]

Two comments: I did not recommend that book in the text. How did that happen? I will go back and recommend one, though, just out of fairness and all. It is probably out of print but it's a good book.

Lori, Polkatot designs are awesome. I think this is going to be a mother/daughter project, though.

Anwyn, I've got you beat. I've had a bolt of fabric for kitchen curtains for 11 years. The coordinating fabric that we did put in the chair bottoms is now worn out -- as are the chairs. I do love the HGTV design. I looked at that. I like the staple-on idea. Write yourself directions, pour a glass of wine, and get started....

I may sell my kitchen fabric in the yard sale that got canceled. (Everything is going to end up at Goodwill, you watch.)

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Lori]

I am not good at fabrication - but, by all means, I would say USE A STAPLER! Sounds like a smart way to go. I also would never shy away from fusible stuff ("stitch witchery") but I am sure you know way more about that than I.....
I'll look for some sites that may help - I have tons o' books - but who wants to BUY one for one project?!
xoxo