How to Sew a Fishtail Valance

Last updated on August 21st, 2014 at 12:18 am

Fishtail Valance

How to Sew a Fishtail Valance

Purchasing valances for your windows can be expensive, but make your own scalloped fishtail valance with this free sewing pattern and you can save hundreds of dollars.

Read through the pattern first to understand the steps before beginning to measure and cut your fabric.

Supplies

Fabric – the width of your window plus twice the window length.
Sewing Machine
Sewing notions (needles, thread, scissors, tape measure, etc)
Finials / knobs / pull back hooks for the upper corners of your window.

Pattern Instructions:Measure your windows from the outside of the trim on one side to the outside of the trim on the other side. (Measurement “A”)

Decide how long you want your valances to be. (Measurement “B”)

Add A + B + B.

Add an additional two inches (5 cm) to the length to reach your “final” length of material needed for the valance. (Measurement “C”)

Square the ends of your fabric. Cut straight across the squared end. You can use a carpenter’s square, T-square or similar tool to help with this.

Transfer Measurement C to your fabric.

Cut the second end square also.

Hem the selvedge edges to hide the selvedge.

Hem the two short ends.

Measure the Angle

Find and mark your folded angle using the following steps.

Fold your fabric in half, short end touching short end.

Establish a Trapezoid Shape

Add 10 inches (25 cm) to your window width measurement above (Measurement A) and divide in half to get a length we’ll call Measurement D.
Transfer measurement D to your folded material. Measure and mark its length FROM THE CENTER mark. Place two pins to mark Measurement D’s distance from the center mark in each direction.

You now have your angle point marked.

Fabric Trapezoid

Make a fabric trapezoid

Fold the fabric at the angle point, pulling the corner of the fabric over until the crease of the fold runs from the angle point to the opposite corner.

Sew/hem the fabric edges down.

Your material should be a longish trapezoid at this point.

If using, sew or glue any desired edge trim to the three shortest sides of your trapezoid.

Install your hanging knobs or hooks at the top corners of your window opening.

Lay your fabric, “right side” or pattern side up on a flat surface.

Pleat the material, starting from the narrowest long side (top) of the trapezoid. You should end up with a thick, long, narrow bunch of pleated fabric.