Make a No Sew Curtain Topper from Repurposed Old Cloth Napkins or Handkerchiefs

4 Parts:

Make a Valance From Re-Purposed Napkins

Sewing a Valance from Napkins or Bandanas

Questions and Answers

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It's easy to create no-sew, and no problem valances or window toppers to cover up an unsightly top of the window, or to enhance a set of lovely blinds. In most cases it requires less than a half hour to make new window toppers.

Completed Point to Point Valance

If you like, you can sew them together to make sure they are more secure, but most of the time the fusible webbing that you're going to use won't come apart, even in the washing machine.

Today fusible webbing is created to permanently hem fabrics, and can be used in place of sewing, in order to provide for the best of all worlds. Homemade goods meets new age technology - with very little effort

What You'll Need

1. 1
   5-8 cloth napkins

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2. 2
   Fusible webbing or "Stitch Witchery"

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3. 3
   An iron

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4. 4
   Curtain rod or decorative rod

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Steps To Making Homemade Valances From Re-Purposed Napkins

1. 1
   Depending on which way you'd like to create your valance, iron a crease in the upper two inches of the fabric, either across the point or across a flat side

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2. 2
   Using the diagrams, fuse the napkins together, either on the edges or in the points to create a diamond shaped valance

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3. 3
   Using the fusible webbing, iron the point down to the back of the fabric or, if creating a valance the long way, iron a seam from the flat side

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   Make sure that you leave a rod pocket, which will require at least one inch of fabric in the fold to be left above the fusible webbing area.

   

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The same steps apply for this craft whether you sew them together, or use fusible webbing to make your own valance from napkins with just a few variations.

1. 1
   Lay the bandanas or napkins side by side

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2. 2
   Create a seam and as seen below, giving yourself about a half inch seam allowance.

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3. 3
   Put two napkins with right sides together.

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4. 4
   Sew the napkins together along only one edge.

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5. 5
   Taking the third napkin, place it on top of either of the napkins, which are sewn together.

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6. 6
   Continue adding bandanas or napkins until your valance is about two times as wide as the window on which you will use it.

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7. 7
   Fold over two inches on the top of the valance and iron to get a crease and ensure that the valance material does not slide.

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8. 8
   Sew across and backstitch to lock into place.

   

   Flat Curtain Method

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How to make fabric napkin valances look good? What enhancements can I add?

Just make sure they match with the curtain and that the curtain adds color to the room. Do a combination of colors such as black & pink or white & gold. This way, it makes a simple decoration look classy and expensive without hurting the pocket.

What other crafts can I do with old napkins?

• With your "Fabric Napkins", there are so many different things you can create. To name a few, use your fabric napkins to create lavender pillow sachets, a travel pillow, you can also stamp them using a stencil and fabric paint to revive those old napkins and give them a whole new look, or a fabric gift pouch as a party favor, also you can create a head scarf by adding a long piece of fabric to a triangle shaped napkin, and many more.

• With your "Used Paper Napkins", you might think old, used napkins are dirty and disgusting. There are actually good ways to recycle them. Wet paper, like your used napkins, can be gathered and used for compost material. They make for great mulch material and will continue to decompose into the soil.

Is it possible to make curtain valance from bandanas that look good?

Yes, it is possible as long as the bandanas look good to your as far as in quality and color. You can stitch these bandanas so that once hung, they are a good length - like curtain. Just know that buying that many bandanas will cost more than curtains.

Is it possible to use napkins as full length curtains?

It is possible if you have enough cloth napkins to sew together as a full-length curtain. As an alternative, sew them together as a curtain for smaller sized windows (like those found in a bathroom).

What is the simplest way to sew a drapery topper?

All you have to do is sew the upper edge, enough for it to be able to cling onto the curtain rod. You can just use very simple stitches such as running or backstitches. Once you have done this, you can create different designs by fixing the arrangement of the cloth to make some sort of a sheering. If you clip some of it at some angles, you will be able to make nice designs too.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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