How to Make a No Sew Window Treatment

How to Make a No Sew Window Treatment in an Afternoon

Once upon a time… after I graduated from college and before I was married I worked in retail display. It was in my first few years of working in the field that I learned the many tricks and tips on how to fake out decorating treatments, including this no sew window treatment.  I have posted quite a few no sew window treatments made using fabric, but also using tablecloths, cardboard and even seashells.

I worked in display back in the day when sheets began to come in lots of colorful patterns instead of solid colors.  The colorful sheets were perfect to use just like decorator fabrics.

One of my weekly duties was to make room vignettes in the home department to showcase the linens.  I used sheets and safety pins to create the no sew window treatments for these display rooms.

I constantly was asked by customers how I made the treatments and would literally write the directions on their shopping bags so they could do it themselves in their homes.  Fast forward to today and the method I used all those years ago to make these treatments can still be used to create fast and fun window treatments in your home.  I recently did just that to create new affordable valances in my bedroom.

How to Make a No Sew Window Treatment – Valance

I removed my summer tablecloth valance that used to cover up the conventional rod and the tabs on the curtain panels that I bought at Target. I needed to come up with something pretty, yet simple that would cover the rod and tabs again.

I made this no sew window treatment that only requires a small amount of fabric yardage which keeps it just my style – very affordable.

No sewing required. My valance measures 65″ x 22″.  This might be a better way to figure out how much fabric you will need. Width of window + projection of rod x   2 + depth you desire = width of fabric needed. Example of my measurements: 37 + 6 + 22 = 65″ width.

supplies needed:

• 1-3/4″ the width of my window
• 2 large safety pins
• 2 medium safety pins
• a straight pin
• two vintage clip-on earrings

You can use any rectangular piece of fabric to create this valance –with unfinished edges,  unlined, or lined.  You are the designer.

To create a no sew lined panel or valance:

Cut the fabric and lining to the same size.  Press all edges over 1-inch.  Use fabric glue or iron on-adhesive to attach the two pieces.

To hang the no-sew valance:

1.  Find the center along top edge of fabric and pin it over the center part of the rod.  (This pin will be removed later)

2. Spread the fabric to each side and use a safety pin to attach each end of the valance to the last tab or section of the curtain panel that is closest to the wall.

3. Once it is pinned on, let the fabric hang from the rod making sure it is centered.

4.  With your hands gather the fabric on each side and use the medium size safety pin to secure.

5. Open a clip-on earring and slide the clip through the safety pin.

 

6. Snap it shut and you have an instant decorative way to hide the pin.  Repeat on other side of valance.

7. Remove the straight pin on the center front.

Depending on your window and size of your fabric you can create many different looks by the way you drape and gather the fabric on the rod.

Window Treatment Variation

Here is the same rectangular shape of fabric where the length is 2 1/2 times the width of the window which allows for more draping. This was one of the projects in my book, Instant Decorating. It was the window treatment I made for my daughter’s room.  Instead of using safety pins to gather the fabric, I painted clothespins to match the fabric and clipped them on the rod. The fabric valance is simply gathered behind each clothespin to hold in in place. The clothespins have matching fabric bows hot glued on. At the end of the rod on each side is where I pinned the valance to the curtain panel underneath.

A peek at my stash of vintage clip-on earrings…

For those of you who have asked me what I keep in all the little drawers in my craft armoire – here is what is in a few. Lots of vintage clip-on earrings and buttons.  I love and collect them.  I use them in many different ways, but never on my ears.

 

Related Posts

 How to Make a No Sew Drapery Panel

 How to Make an Easy No Sew Autumn Window Treatment

How to Make a Window Treatment Using a Tablecloth