How to make an easy no sew window valance for any window or glass door in your home in under an hour. It is an affordable option to expensive window treatments as you can use any fabric or even repurpose fabric from old clothing.
Let me tell you a story from a few years ago, well, more than a few… about 9 years ago to be exact. When I first started blogging I came across a window valance while browsing at Pottery Barn that I really liked. It was white and I thought it would look perfect for the carefree and breezy decorating style I like. I would have bought it, but it was a little too pricey for my budget.
Easy No Sew Window Valance Hung Over Drapes
On closer inspection of the window valance, I thought it would be so easy to make a no sew version of the window valance myself at a fraction on the cost.
At the time I was still working in retail display where I had to be very resourceful and come up with budget friendly ideas to decorating the store I where I worked.
Back then, I ended up making quite a lot of these window valances for the store, myself and a few friends. I made them using all types and colors of fabric for many different styles of decor.
A little backstory: I wrote about this window valance in my early days of blogging for another site to which I contributed. While looking for something in a Google search recently, I clicked a photo that took me to the site and post I wrote. Unfortunately they gave credit to another blogger for it. :-(
With no contact link on the site to write to get the byline changed back to me, I figured don’t get upset. Instead write a new post for my own blog since I own all the photos, the idea is timeless and is perfect for anyone wanting to make a budget friendly window treatment to decorate their home. :-)
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This is a window in my previous home where I already had white drapery panels on the window and just needed to add some visual interest to the top. I took photos of the valance with and without the drapery panels underneath.
I chose to use white cotton duck to match my white drapes to make my version of the Pottery Barn curtains that inspired me…
…but you could use any type of fabric, burlap, felt, ribbons or even an old pair of jeans to create this unique, easy to make window valance. Yes, denim makes great window treatments for casual decor and kids rooms.
On the window in the above photo, I used two fabrics – solid white and the second fabric, the lime and white print to make a fuller more colorful window valance. The more strips of fabric you add to the rod, the fuller the valance will become.
How to Make an Easy No Sew Window Valance in an Hour or Less
supplies needed:
For a window up to 38″ wide
- 1 yard fabric
- 1 yard printed/color fabric
- curtain rod and hardware – you can use any style of rod
- measuring tape or yard stick
- Scissors or rotary cutting tool
If you want a more polished look, choose a fabric that has a tight weave that won’t fray as much when cut. If you are decorating for fall, try burlap, even with its loose fringe. It looks great when used for this style of DIY window valance. The options of fabric that can be used are endless.
- Cut 25″ x 1-1/2″ strips from fabric using scissors or a rotary cutter on a cutting mat.
You can make the strips as long or short as you like depending on the height of your window.
Note: If you are not sure where you want the bottom of the valance to hang, make the strips longer and once hung, you can always go back and trim the strips shorter by simply cutting the length of each strip with a pair of scissors, like you were cutting a person’s bangs.
2. Lay curtain rod on work surface and extend it to the width of your window. Begin tying fabric strips onto the rod as shown above.
Tie-on Step 1 – Fold a strip in half and place loop end on bottom of rod, lift rod so strip is under the rod and ends are at top as shown.
Tie-on Step 2 – Lift loop end of fabric strip with one hand and thread the two ends of the strip through the loop with your other hand.
3. Straighten fabric so right side of fabric is facing out; if needed use your fingers to adjust.
4. Pull ends of strip to tighten knot on rod. Push to one end of the rod and fill rod to desired fullness.
For the color version of the window valance: I started with a white strip of fabric and then added the lime and white printed strip and continued to fill the rod in this manner.
5. Install curtain rod mounting brackets on or around window trim. Place fabric strip covered rod into the brackets over pre-hung drapery panels or by itself as a simple topper on a window or glass door.
6. Fluff and arrange the strips across the rod as needed with your fingers.
Click the links below for more: Affordable and Easy No Sew Window Valance Ideas
- Recycled Cardboard No Sew Window Valance
- Make a No Sew Window Valance Using Styrofoam
- No Sew Window Valance Made Using a Fitted Sheet
Check out all my affordable window treatment tutorials: Window Treatment Project Gallery
Nice ideas. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post.
Hi Diane,
What a great idea! I have been wanting to change my curtains in my craft room. This is another budget friendly project.Thank you so much for all the research you share with us.
Hi Diane,
I love this tutorial for a no sew valance since I don’t own a sewing machine (LOL). I have been wanting to change my curtains in my craft room. Thanks for another budget friendly project : )
Diane, the link on the drapes was so thorough…..Thank you so much for all the research you share with us.
Diane, you once mentioned where you purchased your 90″ white drapes. Would you share, again? Love your site. Thanks.
Hi Ellie – I bought them at Target and All Modern. Here is the link to the post about them: https://inmyownstyle.com/where-to-find-95-inch-long-solid-white-drapes.html
Thanks Diane, what a helpful reply. It will be awhile before I can return to this project, but will save your suggestions and let you know how it works out. Thanks again!
What a great idea! Too bad you didn’t get credit years ago, but I’ll give you credit now for a great idea!
ditto!
Interesting idea – somehow your projects always seem doable but my results often do vary!
I am remembering another no-sew valance: https://inmyownstyle.com/how-to-make-an-instant-no-sew-window-valance.html
When I tried it the valance sagged in the middle when I removed to long pin. Any thoughts as to what I did wrong?
Always enjoy your blog! And people who appropriate the posts of others are truly a pain!
Hi Kaye –
From your description, I think you may need to gather more fabric and use a smaller or larger pin depending on the thickness of your fabric. If you still have it, try removing the pin and gathering more on each end. While doing that pull the bottom edge of the valance to each side as you pin to bring more of that edge into the gather and less of the top. I hope this makes sense, but I think if you play with a little, you will get it to hang the way you want.