Window Valance with Beaded Trim

Why settle for a plain window valance when with a little extra handy-work you can create a truly unique window treatment with DIY beaded trim.  

A fabric window valance is a very cost effective treatment for a window as it requires only a small bit of fabric.  The most expensive part of creating this valance for me was the cost of the pattern.  I used a M’Fay pattern. You can find it on their website, it is called – Empire On a Rod.  I found the fabric in the $1.oo a yard bins at my local fabric store, the rod at a yard sale.  I white washed it with watered down paint.  I have a stash of beads that I picked up inexpensively at flea markets over the years.  I spent about $7.00 on the materials and about $10.00 on the pattern.

After sewing the valance, I added the beaded trim and then simply stapled the whole thing onto the wooden rod.  If you find it gets heavy and the rod rolls around in the rod holders, place some Velcro in the rod holders and the opposite side of the Velcro onto the area where the rod covered with fabric meets the holder to keep it from rolling.  You may not run into this problem depending on what kind of window treatment you sew the beaded trim on.

The trim is basically a long strand of beads, like a necklace that I sewed onto the edge.  I made this valance, but you can add the beaded trim to a store bought window treatment, too.

To make the trim:

1. Measure the length of the finished edge on the window treatment.

2.  Cut a piece of clear nylon thread or Streen (fishing line) to edge measurement, plus about 6″ extra.

3.  Knot one end of thread and string beads on until you reach the desired length.  Knot other end. 

4.  Starting at one end the window treatment edge, hand-sew on the strand onto the edge.  Bring the needle up between each bead and back down into the fabric. ( This is a good project to do while watching television.)

5.  When you reach the end, create a few locking stitches and knot.  Cut excess. 

You may remember this photo from my Kitchen cabinet post.  You can see the valance over the sink.

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Tagged as: DIY Window Treatments, Window Treatment Trimmings