Sorry about not posting yesterday, but I was working to finish this and I couldn't stop! I'm happy to report today that I am done with the valance, and it is hanging, and I am very pleased. For once something that I did worked out! It pretty much looks just like I had envisioned. Originally I thought I would do the design across the whole length, but I think this is nicer, actually.
Thanks for all the finishing advice. I wound up lining it with a fairly opaque drapery lining, using the selvage on the lining as the hem, and making it just a smidge shorter than the actual valance, after hemming. Then I added that strip of twill tape about a 1/2" below where the top seam was going to be (I was going to use ribbon, but then saw the twill tape and that worked just as well), stitching it onto the lining first, and leaving a little gap in the stitching every six inches so that I could clip a ring into each little gap. The curtain guy at Mill End Store told me to do this and I think it was a great idea — this way, you dont have to clip those things to your nice valance. Then I just hemmed the sides of the valance, and stitched both pieces, right sides together, at the top. The finished valance has enough heft so as not to get all floppy and awful, so I skipped adding the stabilizer to the top edge. It's hanging just fine, and doesn't have a lot of fullness. The opaqueness of the liner means you don't see the threads carried across the back at all — the individual crosses on the design really pop. I was afraid that if I lined the curtain with something before embroidering it would be impossible to get that lining perfectly smooth, as I moved the hoop along the design? Maybe I'm wrong about that. And thanks to those who recommended not using iron-on interfacing after all — the idea that it doesn't age or wear as well as the rest of the fabrics was something that hadn't occurred to me. So the lining and the actual valance here are not connected anywhere but at that top seam, and I am pleased.
If I had it to do over, I would've spaced my clips so that I didn't have one right in the middle, but I forgot there was a little hook there to hold up the center of the rod.
So, I'm happy with this pretty little dining room (the dark green room is the living room, and it has the same windows, and the bright curtains, and is connected to this one by a big arch). Looking at this photo, I think I should rotate that table 45 degrees, so the chairs aren't parallel to the wall, you know? I'm embroidering those little curtains on the bookcases now (the bookcases are filled with a whole bunch of unattractive junk, so I always have them covered, because one thing our house does not have is storage). I'll show you that coordinating design soon. Right now this sweet little black-and-white needs a walk!
the valance looks lovely and the room is a little piece of heaven on earth. hey clover, woof, woof ...
Posted by: cindy k | July 31, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Its wonderful Alicia, your whole room is so inviting and restful and interesting, I love that your idea worked out. And that cushion too, oohhh yes, love that!
xx
Posted by: Lucy @ Attic24 | July 31, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Oh that's a doll's house!
Posted by: Irene | July 31, 2008 at 09:21 AM
The coziest. It is a beautiful room. I look forward to seeing a room of my own that needs something turned 45 degrees to be perfect!
Posted by: Natalie | July 31, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Very pretty and cozy!
Posted by: Alexis | July 31, 2008 at 09:25 AM
It looks wonderful! Your photos always look so lovely, and your home so inviting. I would move right in if you would have me!
Posted by: HeidiAnn | July 31, 2008 at 09:26 AM
I BEG you!!! Please!!!!!!! What is the paint and color you used for the wall??? I have been needing to paint my living room and wanted a certain shade of blue... and by heavens that is it!!
Please!!!!
Posted by: Amy Caroline | July 31, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Such a cozy room! Love it Alicia! xo
Posted by: Natalea | July 31, 2008 at 09:35 AM
It looks like just the place to sit and read on a lazy day. I keep thinking I need to jazz up my living room.
Posted by: Stacy | July 31, 2008 at 09:38 AM
i absolutely LOVE this room! what a perfect spot to have a tea party. The valance turned out so cute, you are a master of details.
Posted by: Lisa Marie | July 31, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Yay! It looks so pretty. :)
Posted by: suzanne b. | July 31, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Stunning! Simply stunning!
Thanks for sharing!
Jenny
Posted by: Jenny | July 31, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Very pretty! And peaceful! I'd love to take a little nap in that room.
Becky
Posted by: Wonders Never Cease | July 31, 2008 at 09:47 AM
What a sweet and cozy room. How do you decide what to work on first? Our entire house is a project and I feel that I get scattered because I want to do everything at once.
Posted by: Selena | July 31, 2008 at 09:49 AM
I'm sorry, I don't understand this sentence from today's post: "For once something that I did worked out!" What does that mean? Everything you do seems to be pretty darn perfect from what I can see! Love the room, the pup, the valance, the rug...
Posted by: Kick | July 31, 2008 at 09:59 AM
I just want to dive into that big chair and never leave.
Posted by: sarah | July 31, 2008 at 10:09 AM
As my nanny would say "there's no flies on you!" Man, when you get on a project you really go. The valance is astounding. I use a fusible lightweight lining called "sewer's dream" to back my embroideries - adds no weight, has very light glue and hides all carried threads (plus no unsightly puckering). I sapped a teensy bit of your creative/finishing energy and stayed up to 1:30 a.m. finishing my Tanglewood bag. ooooooh it's yummy. photos soon. thanks!!!
Posted by: Krista | July 31, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I LOVE the valance! And agree that one central motif looks better than a repeated pattern-it looks lovely without distracting from the beauty of the window itself. And your whole house is so gorgeous and interesting. I hope that one day, when I finally get my act together and get my own place, I can make a home as beautiful as yours. On a random note, I have just got back from a holiday in Dorset (UK) and there was a place near where I stayed which was called Portland! x
Posted by: Polly | July 31, 2008 at 10:36 AM
They turned out beautifully!
I have a huge dining room filled with 6 windows crying out to be properly clothed.
I've shamed them all summer, forcing them to stand tall and naked but "No more!"
You've inspired me to give this curtain-making thing a try! :)
Posted by: kalurah | July 31, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Your room looks so beautiful! Photos of your house inspire me so much. Keep 'em coming, please.
Can't forget Clover. She's beautiful too.
Posted by: Holly C. | July 31, 2008 at 10:53 AM
very cute indeed!
Posted by: Shelley | July 31, 2008 at 10:56 AM
The valance is a beautiful addition to those gorgeous new windows...the whole room is bright and beautiful.
Posted by: Susan | July 31, 2008 at 11:03 AM
It is a room I would like to live in. It looks fantastic.
Posted by: Ebbtraven | July 31, 2008 at 11:10 AM
That is so beautiful - valance/pelmet, curtains, room and hound. All of it!
Posted by: trashalou | July 31, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Wow, the room looks like it should be in a magazine! I guess it has been. :) It's just beautiful, and I love the valance. What a vision you have!
Posted by: Sarah | July 31, 2008 at 11:52 AM