Gorgeous no sew valance for my kitchen.

See those no sew valances in window of my kitchen?

The ones that fit perfectly inside the window and look like someone who is super professional with all kinds of tailoring skills created them?

Yep.

Those valances.

I totally made them up.

Shhhhh…..

I had to.

I was having a party the next day and I was cleaning and getting ready and trying to randomly use these stain pens on my floor so everything would look super shiny and wishing that there was a yard sale with more white plates for a $1.00 and I was standing in the middle of the kitchen cutting up cucumbers for the dip tray….when at that very moment…

….I decided I needed valances.

These no sew valances are so easy to make.

Has that ever happened to you?

Have you been cutting up cucumbers and trying to fix the scuff marks on your floor right before a party…..

…..when you decided you absolutely had to have valances?

Before the party.

I’m glad I’m not the only one.

I’m so glad you understand.

Except then you might have remembered that you live 45 minutes away from the closest fabric store and you didn’t have any fabric so you contemplated cutting up sheets or drop cloths or a tablecloth or a runner to make the valance….and then the heavens parted and the angels sang……and you remembered this amazing Pottery Barn slipcover you had.

A Pottery Barn slipcover doesn’t have a lot of fabric.

But it was there.

And it was free.

And the party was right around the corner.

That’s where all the no-sewing and the inventing part came in. 🙂

Easy no sew valance tutorial

Supplies

fabric (or table-cloth or slipcover or table runner)

staple gun

1 x 2 board

screws (to attach the valance to the window)

You'll start by cutting a 1x2 to fit the inside of your window.

Step 1:  Measure the inside of the window 

Measure from inside molding to inside molding.

Cut a piece of 1 x 2 board to fit using the dimensions of the inside of the window.

My board was 36″ long.

Then, you'll add a pleat to your fabric and staple into place.

Step 2:  Cut a piece of fabric to use as your valance

Determine the length of your fabric.

My window was 36″ from inside to inside.

I added an additional 6″ of fabric for each pleat (and a little extra to wrap around the end of the board.

That made my fabric 48″ long.

Next….I decided where I wanted my pleat to go and measured equal distance from the edge of the board so the pleats lined up.  Then I folded the fabric in approximately 3″ on each side and stapled.

After I stapled my pleats….then I stapled the rest of the fabric to the board.

When I got to the ends…I had already ironed a crisp edge and stapled it over the end of the board.

Fold the fabric over and attach to your window.

Step 3:  Fold over the board and attach to inside of window

Fold the board over so the stapled side is facing the top of the window.

Attach the board to the top of the window with screws.

Arrange valance so it hangs properly.

This simple and easy tutorial for a new sew valance will change up any room.

quick tips:  I used the hem of the slipcover for the bottom of the valance so my fabric was already hemmed.

You could always use heat bond tape to make a hem….or even glue it.

I also pinned the sides of the valance with thumbtacks to make it fit the sides perfectly.

The party was amazing.

The cucumbers were delicious with Wal-Mart dip.

My floors looked super shiny.

And my used-to-be-a-slipcover-totally-made-up-at-the-last-minute-valance…..

….stole the show. 🙂

PS  Looking for more window inspiration?

Here’s an easy inexpensive way to make $5.00 curtain rods or how I created the faux transoms over the windows.

PPS  Looking for the link to the light in the kitchen just click here!

(please note that this is an affiliate link)

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Posted On: July 26, 2013

Written By: KariAnne Wood

Comments

  3. Image for Laura Laura

    I would be chopping cucumbers, but my family hid the knives. It was after that incident. You know the one I am talking about. :) Love this, KariAnne. Hugs, Laura

    Reply
  6. Image for Mary W Mary W

    Love the valances and love the floors. I wish I could think of things like you do! I think you need to plan a tour and come to visit all or us who need help!

    Reply
  8. Image for Donna Donna

    I want them but can't think of anything to cut up now. Mmmmm. You are so creative and funny. Have a great weekend. I always love your stories and ideas.

    Reply
  10. Image for Donnamae Donnamae

    Wish I could think of neat stuff while I was cutting cucumbers...guess I'm concentrating too hard on cutting straight! Great idea! ;)

    Reply
  11. Image for Trina @ afewmineradjustments Trina @ afewmineradjustments

    Super duper, KariAnne! I love it when a last minute project comes together. I once designed and strung together a necklace with only 20 minutes left until a road trip with my sorority sisters began. The key...stay calm and it all works out! Happy Friday!

    Reply
  12. Image for Marty Walden Marty Walden

    This is so cute! We totally stapled some fabric around plywood for our window treatments in the kitchen and I think it's amazing! I'm waiting for someone to ask how to wash them. I figured I'd take them outside and pressure wash them (kidding) or just take out the staples. Or as easy as this is I could buy more fabric and do it again!

    Reply
  13. Image for Brandy @ The Prudent Homemaker Brandy @ The Prudent Homemaker

    I love these! I have a bedskirt that I can cut up in just that color. It would be the perfect size. Unfortunately, those windows that could use them have NO molding around them and I would have to make something for hanging (wooden something) and it would need to be cut, and that's something I would need to use power tools for--and I am lost there. Maybe if we could put molding around those windows first. . . :) (Actually I dislike those windows in that room so for me this project would really mean tearing out that wall and putting in new windows and molding and then making valances . . . ) :)

    Reply
  15. Image for gina gina

    Genius! Love the pleats! Yes, I got the itch to put something up on my bay window this week, but my temporary paper shade pales next to your masterpiece!

    Reply
  18. Image for Deanne Deanne

    Looks so cute, as usual! I have done similar with styrofoam sheets to extend the valance out....building a box and using the bed skirt that was leftover from my beading set. Lots of fabric for "free" too. Actually, I had enough to cover a stool too. .... Had forgotten about that. Thanks for the lovely blog!

    Reply
  19. Image for Dianne Dianne

    Great idea. The window over my bathtub is on the west wall. Although it is "coated" the summer sun makes it too warm and bright in there from early afternoon through the rest of the day. This is the fourth year I have struggled with that. Last week I put up a tension rod and folded three pillow cases over it. It is so much cooler and shadier now. There are at least five paint choices in strips on the walls. Until I hung that window covering, I never could decide which to use. It is obvious now and the next step is lighting. Have a sunshine summer.

    Reply
  21. Image for SuzyMcQ SuzyMcQ

    You just continue to amaze and awe me, KA! Wow! When most of us would just have continued to cut veggies, you grabbed your staple gun and a slipcover and voila.... valances, and, with pleats no less!!!

    Reply
  22. Image for Betsy(@coastal-colors) Betsy(@coastal-colors)

    These are fabulous! I love a no sew project! Your valances look wonderful in your breakfast room- a perfect addition! Thanks for the great tutorial! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  23. Image for Sharon H Sharon H

    Hi Miz karianne! Ummm, I really do like this idea....although, I sew.... And, I've been toying with the idea of a new window treatment (that's singular, because I only have one window in my kitchen) but wasn't sure just what I wanted. I did know I wanted it to be simple, but still attractive. One thing I did already know....I wanted to paint my antique table and chairs in ASCP, and recover the seats. I decided on the grain sack, with the blue stripe, and thought a matching valance would be nice for a change....maybe even a towel or two....So yes, this will do nicely I think! Thanks for making it so easy for me!! now, if you could just help me find the time.....? ;)

    Reply
  24. Image for Kris Kris

    Did you know that I have been eyeing-up your valances and wondering how you made them? Thanks! I love your think-outside-the-box approach to decorating, and that your projects turn out looking fabulous. And in case you were contemplating this while chopping produce, bandanas and placemats can also be used to make valances ... weird, I know, but it works if you do it right ...

    Reply
  25. Image for Regina Regina

    Love the slip-cover-valances! That would be so me. :) A few weeks ago I hosted a party, and discovered that I didn't have enough matching plates to feed the guests of honor. Ugh. What to do? Yes, that was me, in the floor at Tuesday Morning, in the Clearance Aisle, sorting white plates. Would you believe I found THIRTEEN MATCHING ONES, and for about $4 each? So, the years of looking for those "perfect" dishes to replace my 20-year-old scratched Pfaltzgraft white plates, were solved in a flurry of piles of plates on the floor of a discount store . . . Last minute fixes are the best, aren't they? Have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  27. Image for Karen Karen

    Oh Karianne, you are too many things, and all of them are GOOD! The valances look custom made. Like professional custom made! Glad to hear your party was a success. You work so hard and deserve to have fun!

    Reply
  33. Image for Gee Gee

    Perfect as usual KariAnne!!! I did the same a few years ago in the master :-) had it for 7 years ... hahahahahaa. Adore your BLOG!!! Hugs, Gee

    Reply
  35. Image for Jeannie Jeannie

    Karianne - this room is gorgeous! It belongs on the cover of a magazine. There isn't anything in it that isn't perfect, including your very clever valances. Love them. ;)

    Reply
  41. Image for cindi pate cindi pate

    I do that same thing...think I need to add a little umpf to my décor just before a party....Once, I hung placemats on curtain clips - they are still there.

    Reply
  44. Image for Miss Charming Miss Charming

    Oh, I love no sew! (And reusing unloved slipcovers.) Great job, KariAnne! An easy project with a lot of punch. (And I'm totally crushing on your china/sideboard in the kitchen!)

    Reply
  45. Image for Sheila Sheila

    Yes! I've had this very last-minute, "no, husband, I am not crazy" type of need/idea before. My last one was the day OF a dinner party when I realized I had no cloth napkins (who knows where they all went... probably gave them away). I just found a remnant, cut with pinking shears, and tied them with jute. Nothing as clever or extensive as your awesome project, but I KNOW how it can go! Love your ingenuity! Sheila

    Reply
  46. Image for Richella Parham Richella Parham

    These are wonderful, Karianne! I must have the same valance heart as you. Or maybe it's a valiant heart? Anyway, my no-sew valance at my kitchen window is my most-visited post--and it took me much longer to write the post than it did to create the valance. I recently updated it with a different fabric, which I'm so happy with, but I'd hesitated about using it because it's so sheer and it's hanging in a west-facing window so I needed something that would block the light. . . no problem! I used some light-blocking liner fabric, but did I sew it into the valance? No, ma'am. That would require skillful sewing, which is not something I am equipped to do. Instead, I cut panels of the light-blocking lining and stapled them to the window frame behind the valance. Worked like a charm! Honestly, there's not much a girl with a staple gun can't do, don't you think?

    Reply
  49. Image for shirley@housepitalitydesigns shirley@housepitalitydesigns

    Great epiphanies come to you when cutting cucumbers!...Happens all the time...but you should try onions...your ideas would just make you come to tears!...Sorry Kari....just had to say that...Love the valances!...

    Reply
  51. Image for Lisa Rogers Lisa Rogers

    Karianne, I have laughed so hard I cried, then proceeded to entertain my husband by reading your "how-to" to him. He thought I got enough enjoyment from it for both of us. Up until a couple of weeks ago, he didn't even know what a valance was, but really love the guy so I overlook his lack of window treatment vocabulary. I can totally relate to your "aha" moment.. I am constantly figuring out how to re-use fabric around the house also living a good 40 minutes from a fabric store. Have been staring at the too cute Annie Selke Happy Poppies Bluemarine fabric for a week trying to decide on a pattern. Tomorrow will be the day. You are a stitch (ok, no pun intended). Wish you were close by, we'd be instant friends!

    Reply

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