Measure for Making Window Valances & Treatments
Having valances and window treatments professionally made is very expensive. The valances and window treatments you can buy at stores often are of poor quality. Find a middle ground by sewing your own window valances and treatments. The first and most important step you need to take is measuring. By taking careful measurements you can almost ensure that you will get the look you desire for your valances and window treatments. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
For Valances
1. Measure across the window frame. Write this measurement as the "actual width" measurement.
2. Measure how far down the window you want your valance to hang, remembering that valances usually hang ¼ to 1/3 of the way down the window. Jot this down as the "actual length."
3. Figure out your necessary fabric measurements for the valance. Double the "actual width" measurement to figure the amount of fabric needed for the width of a basic valance. Triple the "actual width" measurement for a swag valance-style window treatment. Quadruple the "actual width" measurement for extra-large windows and extra swags.
4. Add 8 inches to the "actual length" measurement to account for the valance header (the portion of the fabric that will be above the curtain rod), the rod casing and the finished bottom hem.
For Basic Curtains
5. Place the measuring tape at the top of the window casing. Hold the end of the measuring tape there while you pull the other end down to where you want your window treatments to hang.
6. Add 8 inches to the length measurement to account for the rod casing and the bottom hem.
7. Measure across the width of the window. Make sure to measure from the outside edge of the window casing to the other outside edge of the window casing and not just the glass.
8. Use this measurement for each curtain panel or sheer you need, keeping in mind that most windows use two curtain panels per window treatment.
Tags: actual width, actual width measurement, width measurement, window treatments, valances window, valances window treatments