Pleated valance with sewn pleats
Materials:
- Fabric according to consumption
- Aluminum bar, wooden slat, or other trim according to curtain width
- Curtain tape according to attachment method.
Instructions:
Measure the width and finished height of the Roman blind. For fabric consumption, add approx. 30 cm per pleat to the height, plus approx. 10 cm for other sewing allowances. An odd number of pleats looks balanced; for example, three pleats is a good number. Add 10 cm for sewing allowances to the finished width.
Thoroughly steam the fabric before cutting and sewing. Cut off the selvages and hem both edges with a 2.5 + 2.5 cm hem. Iron the edges and cut the piece precisely at a right angle from the bottom edge. Iron a precise 3 + 3 cm hem at the bottom edge and sew it both at the edges and the top edge, leaving a 5 cm wide opening at one top edge for the weighting bar.
With wrong sides facing, measure the first pleat, which is 12 cm wide. Pin it in place and sew it at the edge of the presser foot from the weighting bar hem, edge to edge. This way, the casing for the weighting bar remains deep behind the first pleat.
Again, turn wrong sides facing, and pin and sew the next 11 cm wide pleat 2 cm from the seam of the previous pleat. This way, the weighting bar casing is under the first pleat, and the first pleat is beautifully visible a few centimeters under the second pleat.
Sew the third pleat by turning wrong sides facing again, and pinning and sewing a 10 cm wide pleat again 2 cm from the seam of the second pleat. This way, the curtain has three pleats, with the previous pleat beautifully visible under the preceding one.
Gently iron the pleats down without flattening them, and measure the finished length from the edges and the center. Pin it as a mark, and add sewing allowances according to the attachment method: Velcro tape 2 cm, rod pocket approx. 10 cm, heading tape for curtain hooks approx. 7 cm. Iron the pinned fold and sew the chosen attachment method into place.
Saw the aluminum bar or wooden slat to the correct length according to the curtain width and thread it through the opening in the casing at the bottom edge of the curtain. The bar straightens the curtain and adds weight to help it drape beautifully.
Choose fabric according to your taste
The pleated valance in the picture is sewn from Helene fabric, which charms with its elegantly delicate look and color palette.
Explore all our fabrics and choose just the right pattern for your home and style!
All our fabrics carry the Design from Finland mark, as they are designed by Pentik's own designers. Our selection includes both 100% cotton fabrics and acrylic-coated cotton fabrics.
