Susan's Designs » Drapery & Home Decorating

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  • nesting creatively

    Welcome to my showcase of design ideas and inspiration for custom home décor, flattering window treatments and other soft furnishings. I have been blessed by being invited into many beautiful homes and meeting the nicest people. I am among the fortunate few who truly enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding profession. Thank you for looking at my work.

Posted in drapery panels

Decorative Knobs

With a sloped ceiling and straight windows what does one do?  By angling the draperies in the center window the shape is suddenly changed and your eye goes to the vaulted ceilings and beyond.  Decorative knobs from Pate Meadows add another layer of elegance to the floor length panels.  They are cinched between the upper and lower windows in a contrast fabric and fill in the gap between each window.  Not only is this window treatment decorative, it frames the beautiful outdoors and provides acoustical benefits as well.

 

by Susan Dorbeck

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Posted in valances

flap valance

I have had so many people request a pattern for this unique valance.  It’s not too difficult to make, just a lot of cutting and some patience.  The finished window width is 78.5″ and finished length 14”.  You should be able to modify this to fit your own measurements.  Thanks for visiting my website and send pictures of your finished project.

 

You will need approximately 2.25 yards of main fabric (54” width)

1.5 yards of contrast fabric

Note: these yardages are for no or little repeat on your fabric. If you have a pattern repeat you may need more fabric

1.5 yards of lining

7 buttons

(1” – 1 ½” size, you can use ready made buttons or cover them yourself with

the contrast fabric) Covered buttons kits can be purchased at your local fabric store.

 

1”X4”X8’ board

Go to your local hardware store like a Lowe’s or Home Depot and purchase the board. You can cut it to 78.5” wide or have them cut it for you. You will also need (4) 4” L-brackets.  Cover the board in fabric or lining for a finished look.

 

Your valance width will be 78.5” and you are going to have (2) 3.75” returns (a return is the distance the board extends from the wall)  I have calculated that you will have 8 front petals and 7 back petals.

 

To start:

Make yourself a template for the petals 11.75” wide by 16.5” long.

Shape the bottom of the petals to your desired shape using a plate or a curved ruler.

Cut out 16 petals of your main fabric, these will be self lined. You should be able to fit 4 in a row across your fabric. Make sure you center any pattern in the fabric.

Right sides together sew 8 petals of the main fabric using ½” seam allowances. Leave top edges open.

Cut out 7 petals of contrast fabric

Cut out 7 petals of lining

With right sides together, sew the 7 petals of the contrast/lining using ½” seam allowances, leaving the top edge open.

Trim all seams, turn right side out and press.

 

You should now have 8 front petals of main fabric and 7 petals of contrast fabric 10.75” wide by 16” long.  Lay out all back petals side by side, straight along the top edge right side up.  Place the front petals over the back petals right side up so that the back petals are centered behind the front petals keeping the top edge straight.

 

Your valance should measure 86” X 16”.

Pin all pieces in place and sew 2″ down from top edge.  This will be the line you use to attach the valance to your board making it 14″ finished length.  You can also attach roping or piping along this seam for the top edge of the board.  Attach the buttons between each pleat.  Staple the valance to the board.  Attach it to the front as well as the two sides.  Miter the corners neatly when forming the returns.  Attach L-brakets to the wall at desired height.  Attach the board to the brackets.

Send picture and let me see your finished project.

 

by Susan Dorbeck

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  • HelenFebruary 9, 2016 - 5:43 pm

    How are the top edges finished and how did you mount the balance on the board after It’s finished? What is the purpose of a board instead of a the regular flat curtain rod that project from the wall? Thank you for the instructions.

  • Susan DorbeckMarch 23, 2016 - 10:49 pm

    Hi Helen,

    Thank you for visiting my website. Looking back at my post I realize that I didn’t finish the instructions on how to mount it.
    I sew a trim along the top edge then sew a loop tape such as velcro to it as well. Then I staple the hook tape on my board to fasten the valance. You can staple it directly on the board as well but it is more permanent that way. You can also mount it on a rod but you will have to modify it slightly to add a rod pocket to the top of the treatment. It will look a little different but still lovely.

    Hope this helps,

  • sharolyn schroederMarch 8, 2017 - 12:35 am

    I’d love to make these but I’ am not able to draw a good pattern for my petals . Do you have a pattern I could print out and use.

    Would it be easier to hot glue the finished valance to the wood then use L shape hardware to attach board to wall?

    My window is a L shape corner in my room. Should I make 2 separate valance and then hang close together in the corner or cut and nail the wood to an L shape to fit my window and make one valance? . Not sure best way to handle the corner

    Thanks for your help. These are beautiful window treatments
    Sharolyn Schroeder
    Sedona AZ

Posted in swags

swag with rosettes

 

A grand staircase needs some dressing. Here we framed the arched window with a scarf swag tied in three places, center and corners with rosettes. This style is one continuous piece of fabric while the knots, or rosettes, allow the fabric to be swaged by pulling out fabric from the knots where needed and cinching the fabric tighter along the top edge.  The sides, or tails are cut on an angle to add a little softness to the window.

 

by Susan Dorbeck

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