Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Carolanna7
Date: 05-20-2005, 09:02 AM (1 of 6)
|
Good morning all! It's been quite a while since I was here asking for help and I got plenty of it from you wonderful sewers. Wow! Your website has changed! I love it! This is only the second thing I will have made, the first being roman shades. (nice, but my windows still look naked, hence, the valances) I started this project almost a YEAR AGO and keep putting it off because I don't read and understand the pattern well, but NO MORE! I'm doing this NOW! I ended up not using a pattern on the roman shades, just coppied from ones I already had.But here's my problemo. I bought McCalls's Home Decorating patter for valances, pattern #M4330. I chose style B to make for my windows and I'm making the 52 inch ones.. This is only the second thing I've made, the first being roman shades. (nice, but my windows still look naked, hence, the valances) I started this project almost a YEAR AGO and keep putting it off, but NO MORE! Here is my question. (probably first of many, if I can keep going on this, lol) I've cut my pattern pieces out. Pattern says to lay them a certain way on the material that's been folded selvage to selvage. One of the pattern pieces is supposed to be right on the fold. I don't know whether to cut it into two pieces or to cut all but the folded end, making my one piece double the size. Ok, I am already on question #2! After buying my (expensive) material and items to make these 5 valances, I now see that this pattern is for a reversable valance with, if I'm reading correctly, fleece in between the two layers of material. Must I go buy MORE material and some fleece too, to make these? Or can they be made with just the one side of my original material??? If I make them just one layer of material, the sun won't shine through them because my roman shades go below the window behind the valances. Even with pulled up, they still hang down several inches. I hope I've explained enough for someone to help me. Thanks so much for your time  Carol |
User: Carolanna7
Member since: 04-12-2004 Total posts: 11 
|
From: esrun3
Date: 05-20-2005, 09:35 AM (2 of 6)
|
Hi Carol, Do not cut the fold. If your pattern says place on fold, put that part on the fold and cut everything else........it is made so that the pattern piece you are seeing is really only half the width. If your valance is going to hang straight and not have ends turned up to show the opposite side there isn't any reason you would have to line your valance as long as you don't mind the hem showing on the unfiinished side (like in a dress or something). Here in Phoenix, it gets so hot that it seems that lined and reversible items on the windows just hold the heat in so I rarely, if ever, line my curtains/valances, I just fold up the seam allowance and sew. Hope that helps some. Good luck and show us a picture when you are finished! Lyn
|
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-20-2005, 09:37 AM (3 of 6)
|
When a pattern is placed on the fold you do not cut the fold. As far as lining them and adding fleece, I would take the time to do all of the steps. It will make your valance look and hang so much better. I am thinking the fleece they are talking about is not the fleece you would buy to make clothing or blankets. It is the fleece that you would find with the interfacing. It is much thinner and stiffer. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-20-2005, 12:22 PM (4 of 6)
|
The rule is DO NOT ever cut the fold if it says to lay on fold. I don't know why they would call for fleece or batting. If it were me (and it is not), I would probably interface the curtains to give them some body instead. I WOULD line them, but I wouldn't use anything expensive. I usually go to Wal Mart and buy their broadcloth for 1.87 a yard for that (always have done it that way, regardless of the price of the outside fabric.) It is an inexpensive way to make your valance or curtains look nice from all sides and they have a wide range of colors that will go with almost anything. You can piece the lining to make it wide enough (54 inches)...you would just figure the difference, add seam allowances and a inch or two for waste. So, you'd need 5 X 7/8 yards for 5 windows plus enough width to make your fabric wide enough....in this case, since you are doing 5 windows, you would need 2X 7/8 yards for a total of 7X7/8 yards or if I figured correctly, 6 1/8 yards of fabric (check my math.) When you go to make your fabric, since you have enough to waste, sew an 12" strip to each 7/8 yard piece for each lining piece press the seam allowance, and cut the pieces by the pattern. You should be good to go for an inexpensive price. If you don't interface the curtain and you think it is too light in weight, you can make little pockets for washers from the hardware store, sew them in little fabric pounches in the bottom corners of your valancews They will help the valance to hang a little better. Most home decorator fabric will hang fine though. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Carolanna7
Date: 05-20-2005, 12:48 PM (5 of 6)
|
Thanks so much for all your help! This is a fantastic website! The world should know about this! ...just one more question for now... What is interfacing? THANKS AGAIN! Carol |
User: Carolanna7
Member since: 04-12-2004 Total posts: 11
|
From: paroper
Date: 05-20-2005, 01:02 PM (6 of 6)
|
It is stiffening that is put between fabrics to give them body. It is the reason your shirt collars will stand up and don't just flop, it keeps buttons from tearing through the front of your shirt. It is also just used to make fabrics looks a lay a little nicer. You would probably have to piece the interfacing to make it work, but it would be worth it. When you piece interfacing, instead of putting in a regular seam, you just lay one piece on top of the other and sew so that you don't have as much bulk. It would add a little cost to your valance though. The reason I would consider it is because the valance is flat. If it were gathered or pleated, I wouldn't bother.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-16039.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft