Easy Window Treatment Sewing Tutorial

Windows looking a little old and drab? Maybe it’s time for a new window treatment. Sewing one yourself can help you use that perfect pattern you’ve been eyeing. But don’t let the prospect of sewing one yourself intimidate you. It can be surprisingly easy.

Window treatments can be a very broad topic. You have curtains, valances and Roman blinds. If you have a very specific vision in mind, it can help to find free digital sewing patterns at places like AllFreeSewing.com.

But for an easy, basic look with your standard valance, like the one above, read on:

1. First, you’ll want to make your curtain. There are a number of ways to go about doing this. You can view our sewing tutorial, or there are some easy no-sew methods here.
2. Measure your window and decide how long you want your valance to be. A foot in length is pretty standard, though add about six inches to the length for hems and the curtain rod sleeve. You’ll also want the fabric to be twice as wide as the window to allow for seams, and that way the valance will crumple and fold as it hangs to create that characteristic wavy texture.
3. Create hems on the two shorter side edges by folding in a ¼ of an inch of fabric two separate times (ironing the fabric down after each time), and then sew the hem at the 1/8-inch mark in.
4. Repeat with the bottom edge.
5. At the top, fold a ¼ of an inch of fabric down and iron in place. Then fold another 4 inches of fabric down, iron in place again and stitch the bottom edge of the folded fabric at the 1/8-inch mark in.
6. At 2 inches under the top of the valance, sew a straight horizontal line. This will give you the sleeve to run the curtain rod through.
7. Hang everything and enjoy your new window treatment.