DIY Fabric Strip Valance

Fabric Strip Valance

I needed a valance for my sliding glass doors off of our kitchen. I didn't want to block out any light, but it really needed something. A valance at least.

Strips of fabric, in various lengths, and colors make an easy, rustic DIY valance. I've seen these all over, and I LOVE them! I'm drawn to that whole shabby/rustic look. So I set my mind to making one.

I don't sew, so I don't have a bag full of nifty fabric strips. Nor did I want to spend money buying fabric, just to rip it to shreds. However, I DO have a closet! And like most of us, I had a few items that didn't fit anymore I didn't want to wear anymore. Where there's a will, there's a way.

I found a couple of brown dresses and a white shirt, and threw in an old pillow case and some burlap. Voila! Fabric strips. (I had to pinky promise my husband that I didn't use any of his shirts - man, he's suspicious!)

To make the strips, I used scissors to start the rip, and then tore the fabric about 18" long and 2" wide. Some were shorter, some were longer. (I wanted the sides and edges to look a little frayed, so I ripped, instead of using the scissors to cut the strips.)

The burlap was cut a little differently. I pulled individual strings every 2 inches, and then cut along the lines. It naturally looks very frayed.

 

Once I had a million or so strips, I tied them onto a tension rod, and hung it up. (The tension rod doesn't show at all, so no need to spray paint it to match décor - yay!)

All and all it was an easy DIY.  It only took me about an hour, and I didn't spend one penny, as I already had the tension rod. The only downfall was that there were burlap fibers all over me, and the kitchen! I don't recommend you wear black when you work with burlap! I know this, and yet I do it every time..

Anyway, I like it a lot!

 

 

 

Here's the valance, showing our sad looking back yard - patio and/or deck - coming soon (to a theater near you...).

 

 

I love the rustic look of the valance. But if you want to make a fabric strip valance that isn't as "shabby" looking, you could certainly use ribbon, or buy pre-cut fabric.