Making really nice one is only for a very experienced sewer. They can very easily look like "loving hands at home". They also really aren't in style today - people either use shutter, blinds, or if they can afford the material, curtains.

I think it is a matter of opinion as to whether valances are in style or not and the opinions will vary greatly on this board. I personally love the look of a shuttered window with a pretty valance to frame it. If you go to pinterest and do a search for valances, you'll find some great ideas and even some that are no sew which actually look quite stunning.

We haven't done as many valances in our workroom as in years past, but I believe they're making a slow comeback. We've started seeing swags and jabots as well.

If you're a good seamstress, buy quality fabric and lining, you should be able to conquer a valance. Check out Pate Meadows for cute designs (skill level included).

http://www.patemeadows.com

I made one for my kitchen window. My sewing prowess never advanced beyond middle school, but I'm good at math. I found a DIY how-to online and not only made a cute valance, but lined it as well. The tutorial I used is for curtains, but my valance is just a short curtain. :)

Ordinarily I'm not a valance person, but I have an untrimmed window and it looked kinda stark and bare.

maire_cate, that was so sweet of you to post those 8+ year old instructions!

Country Curtains has 332 different valances on their website, so they can't be completely out. This one on their site is just like my instructions, but not gathered or tied up so much as that style I did then. Check their price on them - $89.95 - $99.95 each.

Maybelle Tie-Up Valance

And while I was at their web site, I checked out their sale fabrics (as usual) and see that ALL of their sale items, not just fabric, are 50% off until 9/11, with this code - CL500816.

https://www.countrycurtains.com/category/800+clearance.do

My3dogs I never tire of your beautiful fabric selections and your window treatments. Your home is one of my favorites! Of course I like your taste in dogs too! Window valances will never go out of style because of their versatility. Maybe it's a regional preference and if so, I am glad to live in an area steeped in tradition. Love Country Curtains!

imho, My3dogs valances are heads and tails (pun intended) above the Maybelle. I think it's the extra fabric, quality of fabric and the extra details she put into it. Personally, I like valances and have always wanted to make some like My3dogs. I did make one the other day that was totally no-sew, and not because I don't sew, but because it was quick and easy. No sew Roman Shade valance

If you are comfortable with sewing straight lines and doing a little math, then making valances is fairly easy. Most of them are lined rectangles.

The breakfast nook is a rectangle with a rod pocket at the top. The bottom is folded up a few times to make a long pleats which are the stitched at intervals. Once hung, you poke the pleats out which make the balloon effect.

The guest room valance is also a lined rectangle and at intervals, you make a vertical gather on thread to "pick up" the valance so the lining shows.

My bedroom nook was just stapled to a mounting board and the trim was attached using the glue gun. This was a lot more math and pattern making than it was sewing.

I've also made valances where the "valance board" is really a cut piece of styrofoam sheet, around which I wrap first quilt batting and then fabric, just pinning it to the back. I used to do that for xmas time in the old house, only I'd wrap the styrofoam in xmas paper and then put a big bow around it before I hung it.

A simple valance isn't that difficult to make. Its not like making a dress, where you have to fit it to a body. You just have to measure correctly and sew pretty much straight seams. I've made lots of them over the years. Some of the more ornate valances do require more skill, but for the most part, basic sewing skills are all you need.

A simple valance is not a hard project if you have basic sewing skills. Chances are good that your local library would have several curtain making books available that would be full of inspiration and directions. There are also tutorials on Pinterest, YouTube,etc. You can probably do this! There are some rules of thumb regarding length of valance to window size and such. If this is a project you want to tackle, you try can posting a picture and dimensions of your window, and folks here can help you get the sizing to be pleasing proportions.

The great thing about making your own valance is that it gives you unlimited choices in fabrics, colors and patterns. When you purchase a ready made valance, you are limited to the colors and patterns they offer. Unless you choose custom and that costs! I love that I can personalize my window treatments to pretty much anything I want. You can do this!

Thank you all! I feel a lot more confident just giving it a try with all this encouragement.

Here is a photo gallery to give you ideas. Buy extra fabric if you're just starting out, read and re-read the instructions, and have fun!

Custom Valances

Wow that's an extensive collection of valances...what a great resource. It's inspiring to make some new ones already!