Bed Valance Instructions
A
fitted bed valance, bed skirt or dust ruffle is suitable for divan beds
and covers the sides of the bed down to the floor. It is made in two
sections, the top, which goes under the mattress, and the skirt, which
can be either gathered for a feminine look or pleated at the corners
for a tailored look.
Some plain fabrics without nap or fabrics with small designs can be
railroaded (turned through 90 degrees) to avoid the need for seams.
As the top section is not seen it can be made from inexpensive fabric
or lining. Binding or fringing in a contrasting colour can be added
to the bottom hem for a more decorative finish.
Requirements
Suitable fabric for skirt.
Inexpensive fabric or lining for top section.
Matching thread.
Measuring for a Fitted Bed Valance
Remove
the mattress from the bed.- Measure the length (L) of the top section and add 1.5" (3.75
cms) for seams.
- Measure the width (W) of the top section and add 1" (2.5 cms)
for seams.
- Measure the drop (D) of the skirt and add 1.5" (3.75 cms) for
the seam and hem allowance.
- A gathered skirt will need between 1.5 and twice the measurement
of the 2 sides and the bottom edge (2L+W) to allow for fullness. Widths
of fabric need to be joined together with a French seam to achieve
this measurement unless the fabric has been railroaded.
- For a skirt with inverted pleats at the bottom corners, measure
the 2 sides and the bottom edge (2L+W), add 12" (30 cms) for
each pleat and 2" (5 cms) for hems. Widths of fabric need to
be joined together with a French seam to achieve this measurement
unless the fabric has been railroaded.
Preparing a Gathered Skirt
- Turn up a double 0.5" (12 mm) hem at the lower edge and pin.
- Turn in a double 0.5" (12 mm) hem at each short edge and pin.
- Machine stitch the hems on these 3 sides and press.
- Work 2 rows of gathering stitches along the top edge. To make this
easier work in sections.
- Pull up the gathering threads, adjusting the gathers evenly, so
that the skirt fits the sides and bottom edges of the top section
minus 2" (5 cms).
Preparing a Pleated Skirt
Turn
up a double 0.5" (12 mm) hem at the lower edge and pin. - Turn in a double 0.5" (12 mm) hem at each side edge and pin.
- Machine stitch around the hems on these 3 sides and press.
- Measure the length of the top (L) from each end and mark.
- Measure a further 12" (30 cms) from each end and mark. These
are the 2 sides of the pleats.
- Bring the 2 sides of each pleat together and flatten the excess
fabric evenly at the back to form an inverted pleat.
- Tack in place along the top edge and press the pleat down its length.
Making a Fitted Bed Valance
Turn
in a double 0.5" (12 mm) hem at the top end of the top section. Machine
stitch and press.- With the right sides together and matching the raw edges, pin the
skirt to the sides and bottom edges of the top section. Make sure
that the gathers are evenly spaced or that the centres of the inverted
pleats are positioned at the corners. Adjust the gathers or pleats
if necessary.
- Machine stitch the skirt to the top section, 0.5" (12 mm) in
from raw edge.
- Zigzag or overlock the raw edges to neaten.
Remember that the Bedding
and Bed Drapes ebook contains many more detailed projects which
go much further that these web pages will permit. All the ebook instructions
are interactively linked to the comprehensive Sewing Guide. 48 bedding
and bed drape projects with over 260 colour diagrams.
Each E-Book is priced at only £10.00 with fantastic savings
(up to 60%) when purchasing the bundle/package.
Basics