Tuesday, May 15, 2012

{Stenciled Drop Cloth Valances}


I am so thankful for all the lovely comments I've gotten about my BIG craft room reveal!  I put a lot of work into the makeover, and it feels good to know that others see the beauty in it.  I promised that I would share tutorials for the many different projects in the room, so today I'm going to share how I made the valances for the windows.



When I first started the craft room makeover, I wanted long panels to frame my windows.  Unfortunately, my desk top ended up a little wider than I planned, so I knew the panels were out of the question, and I would have to settle for valances.  I didn't want to buy valances because I knew that I would not find what I wanted for the price I wanted.  I had a lot of leftover drop cloth from my drop cloth pillow covers, so I decided that I would make my curtains out of that.  First, I got out my drop cloth, tape measure, and notebook to create a plan.




I knew how wide my windows were, and two of my Facebook fans told me that my valance should be 2 to 2 1/2 times the width of my window.  I didn't have quite that much drop cloth, but I decided to just go with what I had and make it work.  I had other measurements to figure out, though, and this is what I came up with.




I am not a seamstress by any means, so I hope the above image makes sense.  It makes sense in my mind, but that doesn't mean much!  Please note that if you are making a valance out of material other than a drop cloth, remember to add a seam allowance to left and right side of the valance.  The great thing about the drop cloth is that it already has finished edges.  (If you used the bottom edge along with the side edges of the valance, you could get away with only one inch of seam allowance.)  Also, you can definitely make your valances longer or shorter than mine.  I just measured a valance in another room to decide on the 13" from the rod.  And depending on the size of the curtain rod you use, you may need more fabric for the rod pocket opening.  (In that case you would need to add length to the fold over measurement as well because, as you can see, that measurement came from adding the length of the top ruffle to that of the rod pocket.) After I cut 25" of the drop cloth, I pinned the fabric, which is probably one of my top ten least favorite things to do in the world.




After the valance was pinned, I simply had to sew three straight lines on the fabric where the arrows are pointing in the above photos.  If I can find a marking to follow on my sewing machine, I can actually sew a straight line most of the time!  :)  After the valance was sewn, it was time to make it ME.  I knew the way to do that would be to stencil a design on the fabric.  So I used my Silhouette to cut a damask stencil out of card stock.




Then I just used a small amount of paint to stencil the design on my valances.  When I finished, I liked them, but they needed that something extra.  Since these were going in my craft room, I decided I could be a little whimsical and add something out of the ordinary.  I chose to stencil scissors on the curtains.




Again, the stencil was cut with my Silhouette, and I used a small amount of turquoise paint for the design.




After a bajillion hours of stenciling, I let the curtains dry.  Then it was time to hang them!




When I first hung them, I didn't really know if I liked them or not.  (That happens A LOT to me with stuff I make because I'm a perfectionist...)  After looking at them over and over at different angles, they started to grow on me.  Now, I love the playfulness they add to the room.  I think just the damask pattern by itself would have been a little too plain for me.  The scissors add that extra little touch that says "Pitter and Glink."




I love how well the valances go with the other things in the room.  Plus, they cost me zero dollars because I already had all the supplies on hand.  Seriously, who doesn't love free?!  If I can make a valance, you can make a valance.  So go for it, and don't be afraid to add that little touch of whimsy that will make it shout your name!
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18 comments:

  1. you are awesome! Thanks for the tutorial!
    blessings,
    janiene

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  2. Hi, Bethany

    I love it. I have to get one of those machine, I really want a Silhouette. It's awesome valance, I am going to have to make these for my kitchen. Thanks for sharing. What paint did you use? Brand, color? Thanks and have a great week.

    Vanessa

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    1. Hi, Vanessa! I used regular acrylic paint: Apple Barrel's Laguna and Pewter Grey.

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  3. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Honestly!! The pattern is great and so are the colors you picked!

    Thanks so much for sharing at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!!

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  4. I just LOVE this valance!! I need to get me one of these silhouettes so I can do all these awesome things! Love that you added the scissors is the perfect "crafty" touch! Thanks for sharing at
    {Homemade By You}

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  5. I have the same issue with being a perfectionist {I feel your pain}, but I can tell you that you should definitely be proud of your valances because they are adorable!! I LOVE the scissors!! Thanks for the tutorial that I will probably be using in the future :)

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  6. I love these! They are darling and what a fun touch to add the turquoise scissors! So darling and unexpected! I love your shade and now I am so excited to see the rest of your craft room! I also love your bookshelves! Awesome job!!!
    Thanks for the eye candy!

    Have a happy, happy weekend!
    ♥Tausha
    sassystyleredesign.com

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  7. Just gorgeous. The scissors are the perfect touch!

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  8. Love, love, LOVE! I wish I had an extra room all for myself and my crafting addiction. One day...hopefully it looks as nice as yours. :) Thanks for sharing at A Pinteresting Party.

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  9. Really cute--love the scissors :)

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  10. I am a perfectionist too and end up second guessing all of my projects. I am slowly learning to have confidence in my crafts even if they didn't turn out exactly how I imagined. That being said, I LOVE your stenciled valances!! They are perfect for a craft room and you picked great coordinating colors and patterns. Great job! Happy to be your newest follower. Going to pin this right now! -Sarah @ Repeat Crafter Me

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  11. Love your valances and I am a perfectionist too. These turned out so well. Now following, found your blog on Just Us Four's party. Tanya :)

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  12. So cute! The scissors do add that perfect little touch of flair! Thanks for sharing your ideas on "Strut Your Stuff" Saturday! We hope to see you again! -The Sisters

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  13. You were my #1 Top Pick today, thanks again for linking it up! I'm in love with the scissors on the fabric!
    http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.com/2012/05/linking-up-with-crafted-sparrow-8.html

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  14. This is just adorable! I love it :) Thanks so much for sharing at Sunday Round Up!
    -Kayla :)

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  15. I love the curtains. Especially with the pop of colour and that it suits the room so well. Your blog generally is really good. I am over from Craftaholics Anonymous and now I am getting you new posts straigt to my email!

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  16. If you don't have a sewing machine you can always use bonded hem tape. Cute idea, I think I will try this !

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  17. I love your tutorial. a recommendation, before painting the fabric, wash to remove sizing, then ironed. paint it with your stencils and ironed by the end backwards so that the paint is permanent and does not come out in the wash.
    a greeting from the Caribbean Sea

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