valences for child's room

I'm considering making valences for a child's room. I have the Sunset book that all of you recommended but I've been hesitant to try it. First question: the theme is Finding Nemo. Can I buy the fabric that I've seen in the local stores or do I need something better? Basically I'm wondering if Wal Mart's fabric is good enough or should I be looking for a better quality. Also can I get away without lining?

The windows are about 30 inches wide. What's the rule of thumb for width of the valence? The rods are for rod pocket valences.

Thanks, Myrna

Reply to
Myrna
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JMHO, but children's room's decor gets changed as the child matures, so I wouldn't put big $$$$s into fabric. If you find the print you want at WalMart, go for it. As for lining, if the window faces south or west, and gets a lot of direct sun, then I would using lining, because I don't like my work to fall apart from sun damage. But if you plan on replacing them within a couple years, you can probably skip the lining.

For a gather-on-the-rod curtain or valance, my preference is for at *least* 1.5-to-1, but I prefer 2-to-1 or even more, depends on the overall look I aim for.

HTH,

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

Picking up on Beverly's theme, I quite agree. However, (and I know you said valances!) should you need the room to be dark for the child to sleep properly - go for separate black out lining.

A separate black out lining can be hung with the main curtain - and can be re-used when you redecorate.

Another thought - why not go with a basic colour theme, say blue and white with touches of read - because that will last for many years, and just add Finding Nemo touches, such as wall paper border, lampshade etc.., so when the time comes,to change the design (as in "Mummy, Nemo isn't cool any more, I want Disney Cars / Spiderman / whatever"..... whine whine whine.....), it's very simple and minimal effort. This will also save precious $$'s.

HTh

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale

Reply to
Taria

Thanks, Tar.

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

On Mar 27, 11:57 am, "Myrna" wrote:

Dear Myrna,

I do custom window treatments for a living, so I felt compelled to add my two cents' worth! I would absolutely line the valance to ensure a quality result. Drapery lining is not expensive, it doesn't add a great deal of time or difficulty to the project, and it will prevent you spending time and money on something only to be disappointed with the results. After all, most things worth doing are worth doing well. The major benefit of lining the valance will be that the valance will look better during daylight when the sun is streaming through from behind. Hold a sample of your fabric up to the window to see what I mean -- with most fabrics, you can't even see the pattern if it's unlined and backlit, and the hem along the bottom will be very obvious from the front because there will be three layers of fabric in the double hem, compared with only one layer in the body of the valance. As for the fabric selection, I agree that themed rooms for children are notoriously shortlived and you should go ahead and purchase that Nemo fabric at Wal Mart or wherever you can get it the cheapest. I also have another suggestion for patterns: check out

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They have a complete line of window treatment patterns, many of which are for professional workrooms, but the patterns that say "Sew Easy" are perfect for home sewers, very easy to understand, and will enable you to get very professional results. As for the width, I size my valances the same width as the window (including the window trim if there is any), or perhaps a few inches wider, if there are not going to be drapery panels beneath the valance. Also, I like to mount the valance on the wall above the window so that the window trim is hidden even at the short point of the valance, but most of the valance fabric is covering wallspace above the window rather than covering the glass and blocking sunlight. This can also help to visually heighten the ceilings and give more of a designer look.

Best of luck with your project! Rebecca in Charlotte, NC

Reply to
sewfine

They have a complete line of window treatment patterns,

Rebecca, Thank you so much for your response! You are the first person who has actually given me reasons that make sense about why I should use a lining. I did buy the fabric in walmart since it was the only local place that had it. I wonder if lining fabric is actually called this? I looked but didn't see anything named that. I really am a beginner here!

The valences are in my daughter's home. She has picked this theme and that will be her problem when the kids don't like it anymore. She also has the rod already installed. She has a shade for privacy and given that it is for a child, I think it will be fine to have it mounted on the window frame.

Now, I'm nervous about using a lining because I've ready my book and they say to sew the lining for the area between the rod pocket and the hem. I'm not sure how to do that. The book isn't clear. Have I bitten off too much for my experience?

Myrna

Reply to
Myrna

Wal Mart here has Roclon (I think that is the brand) of curtain lining. It is over by the muslin. I did some valances for my family room years ago. The were splendid but after all finished I could see they needed the lining because of the sun shining behind. It would have been a lot easier to line while making them than afterwards but they came out ok.

TAria

Myrna wrote:

Reply to
Taria

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