Curtain call

Several days after I posted about my fabric options for BG’s room, I scored BIG TIME in a surprising spot: Dollar General Market.

I knew that no matter what fabric I decided on for curtains, I’d have to line the fabric with room-darkening material if I had any hopes of successful afternoon naps with BG.  I hadn’t done any research on the cost of this material, though I’m sure it’s very reasonable; so when I found already-made, full-length, room-darkening drapery panels in the perfect shade of dark pink for only $10 at the Dollar General store, I snatched them up.

Originally, my plan was to send these panels to my grandma, with the appropriate lengths of whichever fabric we picked, and just have her combine the two.  But once I hung the panels up in the room, I was so happy with the way they looked, I started to waver on my vision for window treatments.

For the last few days, I’ve been working my way through thousands of gallery photos at HGTV’s Rate My Space site, looking for inspiration for window valances.  See, I’m weird about valances.  I’ve never used them, and ever since my girlfriend Daina told me she thinks they look like eyebrows, I’ve passed them over as a suitable window dressing.  But in the case of BG’s solo window, I think we may actually need a valance…..

So, these are the two options I’ve come across so far:

I love both of them, and I’ve decided that the two fabrics I’d pair are the pink gingham with the leaves:

The problem I have now is that I have no pattern to work from for either of these valances, and I’m definitely not equipped as a seamstress to go off nothing more than an inspiration picture.

So my questions to you today, dear reader, are these:

1.  Which valance pattern do you prefer?

2.  What is the best way to go about recreating the valance when I don’t have a pattern?

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Updated:  I did some digging, and found that the pattern for the first valance is from Pate Meadows.  I’m pretty sure that it is the Cuff Top valance, and while I’ll admit I’m NOT willing to pay $30 for a pattern……I’m thinking that I can make this work free-hand.  This chart tells me how much fabric I’ll need, just not quite how to make it all come together.  Hmmm……good thing I’ve got time on my hands to tackle this challenge.