How to make a no sew valance

How To Make A No Sew Buffalo Check Window Valance

In case you haven’t quite noticed yet I get a little weak in the knees when I see anything buffalo check. And now that fall is approaching I have major heart eyes for the stuff. I had originally bought these kitchen towels and while searching for all things buffalo check I came across this fabric as well. I am not a professional fabric analyzer (is that such a thing?) but for $9/yd I am pretty impressed with this fabric.

I really really wanted to make a few pillows with this fabric but I ~~think~~ know the Mister would serve me with divorce papers if he sees one more pillow on our couch. This valance was easier than the first one I made. All you need is one yard of fabric and some straight pins (and maybe a curtain rod). You’ll need something to drape your fabric over. I saw this fun tutorial from Beneath my Heart. She just used a pillow case and some push pins. Use your imagination. I almost bought this tablecloth to do this project with since it was hemmed on all sides but the fabric was less expensive so I went with it.

Items needed (this list isn’t really necessary but just in case you are a list person then here you go):

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Curtain Rod (mine was already in place from my first valance)
One yard of fabric of your choice.
Straight pins
Fabric glue (sort of optional)

This first step is optional. I am not sure if it’ll make or break the project. I was being proactive (for once) and “hemmed” the bottom of my valance so it looks a little neater. And when I say hemmed I mean glued.

That seriously was the hardest part of this project. After my fancy hem dried I just flipped the fabric over my existing curtain rod.

I had enough fabric flipped over the backside of the curtain rod that my fabric stayed put. I had some paperclips on hand just in case I needed to paperclip the front and back of my fabric together so the fabric wouldn’t fall off the rod. I mean, can I be anymore more professional?!?!

This next step is up to your discretion and what you prefer. You can gather the fabric like I did in my first No Sew Valance project with just yarn.

Or you can leave the fabric as is (if you do decide on this then this will be the easiest project in whole wide blog universe.) I highly considered this option. If you go this route then I recommend gluing your hem since it will be showing

Or you can do a “soft pleat” (I just made that word up) like I did.

This is where those straight pins come into play. I gathered a little bit of fabric and folded it like an accordion and then secured it from the back with a straight pin.

I did this in the middle and on the sides and just kind of eye balled it until I liked how it looked and then I was done. You can’t really tell the pins are still there and even if you could I don’t think I would care that much.

I’m sure come springtime I’ll be switching out this valance for my shower curtain again but I’m totally digging this for the fall and winter.

Between the plaid rug on my front porch, the buffalo check floor I painted and now this I cannot bring anymore plaid into this house. I promise this will be the last post with plaid in it…for a few weeks at least.

**Update** I recently purchased 2 yards of the buffalo check fabric and hung this valance as I did my no sew roman shades I made in my family room!