Stage Coach Valance

I recently redid my daughter's bedroom when I converted her toddler bed to a full size bed. She wanted a "purple bed" and I found a beautiful lavender coverlet and pretty flower sheets to match. However, I couldn't find any nice looking curtains or a valance. So, I found some lavender striped fabric and made a stage coach valance.


I first saw this idea in model homes when we first bought our home. I liked the look so much I made them for my kitchen windows with regular curtain panels that were 84"x41" and attached them to a mounting board hung with "L" brackets, instead of a curtain rod.


I'm not a great sewer. I can only sew straight lines so these are pretty simple to make if you're not an expert sewer! Just takes a bit of patience. I made the lavender valance in just a few hours. I only have pictures of the finished valance, but I included some photos that should help. Here's how you do it:

1. Measure the window. You want the fabric to be about 2" wider than the window on each side. This will give you enough fabric to hem the sides and hide the window edges. Determine the height you'd like for the valance and then triple that for the amount of fabric you need. So, if your window is 36" wide, then you'll need the fabric about 40" wide. If you want the valance to be about 24" high, then you'll need about 72" of fabric length. No need to prewash the fabric since you won't be washing the valance, unless you prefer to do this. I find the fabric looks nicer if it's not washed.

2. Sew a 1/4" hem along both sides of the valance (I fold my hems under twice to give it a finished look and iron it in place before sewing - this uses 1/2" total of fabric).


3. Next, you'll need Wonder Under, or any type of fusible web. This will be ironed in between the fabric at the bottom portion of the valance to hold the fabric together and keep it from sliding when you roll it up. Fold the fabric in half, right sides facing up. Where the two ends meet, you'll place the fusible web in between here from side to side. You only need to apply it to about 1/3 of the fabric height. The is only for the rolled section of the fabric - you don't need it for the area that will be seen after it is rolled up. Once it is in place, iron the fabrics together following the fusible web directions.

4. Sew the fabric ends toghether (not the sides). This part doesn't have to be pretty since it will be hidden in the roll. This will be the bottom of the valance.

5. Next you need to sew a pocket for the curtain rod. You will sew this at the folded end, which is the top of the valance. Add about an inch to the rod size to allow it to slide nicely without being too tight. So if your rod is 1", make the pocket almost 2". You can place the rod in between the fabric then pin it so you can see if it's big enough.


6. Now you're ready to roll the valance. I use pipe insulation foam you can buy at a hardware store. It comes in pretty long lengths and is only a few dollars. It's light weight and has a slit on one side that is perfect for tucking in your fabric. Cut this 4" shorter than the width of your finished valance. This will allow it to hide in the roll and not show. With your valance laying flat on the floor, start with the sewed end (the bottom) and tuck in to the foam slit. Then start rolling until it's the height you want.




7. I used 1.5" grosgrain ribbon to tie my daughter's valance. You can also sew your own ties if you're up to it (I did this for my kitchen valances). Simply slide the ribbon under the valance pulling up to the top and then back down. Then tie it at the bottom. Do this for each side. You decide how far in from the edge you want the ties. Just make sure they are even!

8. Slide the rod in the pocket and hang!