How To Sew A Cutout Swag Valance by: Jennifer Thoden

www.window-valance-patterns.com

Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................ 4

Chapter 2. How To Use This Book..................................................... 5

Chapter 3. Your Swag Worksheet ..................................................... 6

Chapter 4. Supplies ..................................................................... 7

Chapter 5. Design Your Window Treatment ......................................... 8

Chapter 6. Measure Swag Width and Drop..........................................11

Chapter 7. Fabric and Lining Yardage...............................................13 Bias Cut Swag ....................................................................................... 13 Railroaded Swag .................................................................................... 13 Decorative Trim .................................................................................... 14 Note about interlining ............................................................................. 14

Chapter 8. Cut Your Fabric and Lining ..............................................15 Find CL, CBW, and CSW ........................................................................... 15 Railroaded Swag .................................................................................... 15 Bias Cut Swag ....................................................................................... 15

Chapter 9. Make Your Swag...........................................................17 Fold Your Fabric .................................................................................... 17 Mark Your Fabric ................................................................................... 17 Print Pleat Triangles ............................................................................... 22 Mark Triangles ...................................................................................... 22 Cut Fabric and Lining .............................................................................. 25 Sew Your Swag...................................................................................... 25

Chapter 10. Pleat Your Swag ........................................................26

Chapter 11. Install Your Swag.......................................................28 Board Mount......................................................................................... 28 Decorative Pole..................................................................................... 28 If you are installing just one swag or swags with no overlapping… without jabots or

drapery panels…........................................................................................... 29 For all other layered swag treatments…........................................................ 29

Chapter 12. Appendix A: Swag Measurements....................................34 20” Swag Width..................................................................................... 34 22” Swag Width..................................................................................... 34 24” Swag Width..................................................................................... 34 26” Swag Width..................................................................................... 34 28” Swag Width..................................................................................... 34 30” Swag Width..................................................................................... 34 32” Swag Width..................................................................................... 35 34” Swag Width..................................................................................... 35 36” Swag Width..................................................................................... 35 38” Swag Width..................................................................................... 35 40” Swag Width..................................................................................... 35 42” Swag Width..................................................................................... 35 44” Swag Width..................................................................................... 36

46” Swag Width..................................................................................... 36 48” Swag Width..................................................................................... 36 50” Swag Width..................................................................................... 36 52” Swag Width..................................................................................... 36 54” Swag Width..................................................................................... 37 56” Swag Width..................................................................................... 37 58” Swag Width..................................................................................... 37 60” Swag Width..................................................................................... 37

Chapter 13. Appendix B: Pleat Triangles ..........................................38 Pleat Triangles...................................................................................... 38

Chapter 1. Introduction

Welcome to “How To Sew A Traditional Swag Valance”! You’re about to learn exactly how to sew a professional swag valance. Yes, I do mean professional. This is exactly how professional workrooms and designers make those amazing pleated swags you see in showcase homes. These instructions are for a cutout swag valance. A cutout swag valance has formal pleats that create a full swag. The magic of this window treatment is the ease of the installation… most people assume the decorator simply draped some fabric neatly over a pole. The swag valance is far more involved… and it looks 10x better than if you just draped fabric over a pole. A very similar window treatment is a traditional swag valance… which has the fabric going straight across the top. I do not cover this style of valance in this book… you can find this style in the e-book “How To Sew A Traditional Swag Valance”. Each chapter walks you through the process of designing and sewing your window valance. Trust the instructions and measurements… take it step by step… and you are going to be amazed at how easy and fast sewing a swag valance will be! Let’s get started!

Chapter 2. How To Use This Book

Sewing traditional swags… just like the designer swags you see in decorating magazines… is surprisingly easy. The trick is to follow the measurements used in this book and you’ll be successful. You may look at these numbers and start trying to figure them out… try to make sense and understand them… but I can tell you, it’s a long and painful explanation as to why the measurements are the way they are. You would have the same measurements as well if you made every single size out there. The point of this book is to make sewing traditional swags EASY. So, here’s how you need to use this book.

1. Print out your swag worksheet. You’ll find this in the very next chapter. On this worksheet you’ll see spaces for measurements you’ll need to fill out. As you read through this book, you will get those measurements. For now, just print the worksheet.

2. Then, you’re going to design your window treatment. I give you lots of examples to help you.

3. Next you’ll need to decide the width and drop of your swag. You’ll find guidance for this in the chapter called “Measure Swag Width and Drop”

4. The book will then guide you through your fabric yardage and marking your fabric.

5. As you are shown how to mark your fabric you will be directed to the Appendices. Here you will find the exact information you need for your swag width and drop. You will need to print a pleat triangle. You’ll know which one to print once you’re at that step.

6. Very quickly you’ll be pleating and installing your swag.

So… trust the instructions… follow them step by step… and you will have a professional and stunning traditional swag on your window in no time.

Chapter 3. Yo Swag Worksheet ur

Print out this worksheet for each swag you plan to make and then fill out the measurements for your swags as you read through this book. Finished Swag Width _______________

Swag Drop Length _______________

Return _______________

CL _______________

CBW _______________

CSW _______________

Pleat Triangle _______________

Fabric Yards ____________

Lining Yards ____________

Interlining Yards ____________

Decorative Trim = (2 x CBW) + 4” = ____________

Chapter 4. Supplies

Face fabric – refer to the yardage chapter. Be sure you get enough for all of your swags plus jabots or drapery panels. Lining – you’ll need the same amount as the face fabric. Interlining (optional) - you’ll need the same amount as the face fabric. Matching thread Decorative Trim (optional) 1” wide self adhesive Velcro loop tape – you’ll need a strip that is as wide as your cut board plus returns for a board mount… or measure in a diagonal fashion around your drapery pole the full length of the pole. See the chapter on installing your swag. Velcro Mounting Tape – you’ll need a strip for each swag… each strip should be the finished width of the swag PLUS 2”. Fabric Marking pencil Sewing Machine with new needle Sharp scissors Straight edge Right Angle or T-Square Measuring tape Iron and ironing board Straight pins

You can find your lining, interlining and Velcro tapes at www.DraperySewingSupplies.com

Chapter 5. Design Your Window Treatment

Here comes the fun part! Before you can make you swags, you need to know what exactly it is you’re making. You may already have an idea of the window treatment design you want… but just in case, I thought I’d give you some creative ideas to help you. Take a look at the following examples to help you decide how your window will look when you’re all finished. Think about the number of swags… fabric… color… will you have jabots… pleated drapes… Once you have a good idea of the design you want, move on to the next chapter to measure for your swags. Often times you’ll see a window with just one swag..

Above is one swag… but you rarely see a window with just the swag. A common window treatment design will have a swag with jabots on each side. You can have the jabots under the swag.

Or on top of the swag.

k

Many swag window treatments have three swags, like the photo on the front page of this book. You can have an odd number of swags side by side across your window.

You can have the swags overlap each other.

You can use a different fabric for the different layers of swags to add dimension.

Instead of overlapping swags, you could have jabots overlap the edges of the swags.

As with any of these design ideas… rarely do you see a swag treatment not have jabots or drapes at the outer edges. So, one of the layered ideas above may look like this when finished…

It’s a good idea to sketch out your idea… play with using a main fabric and a solid contrasting fabric. Maybe your swags have fringe trim along the edges. The swag valance on the front page of this book has a tassel fringe along the edge. Look through magazines to get some ideas… many home and garden websites have images of traditional swags as well. Remember, these instructions only show you how to create the swag. You will need the e-book “How To Sew Jabots” for the different types of jabots at www.window-valance-patterns.com. When you’re ready move on to the next chapter.

Chapter 6. Measure Swag Width and Drop

You don’t need to install your hardware to plan for your swag(s), but you do need to have an idea of your window treatment design.

Are you going to hang your swags from a drapery pole or a board?

How high do you plan on installing your swags from the top edge of the window?

How many swags are in your window treatment design?

How long will your swag be at its longest point?

How many pleats do you want for each swag?

Are you interlining your swags?

These are questions you need to ask yourself as you are planning your swags… because your answers will affect the final measurements of your swags. Keeping these ideas in mind, drape a string at your window to mimic the shape of your swag. Then measure the swag width and drop.

Swag Width

SwagDrop

Swag Width

SwagDrop

Swag Width Swag Width

Once you have general measurements for these 2 dimensions, refer to the chart below to find the sizes that best match your measurements. The instructions in this book will cover these swag sizes: Swag Drop 11” 14” 17” 20” 23” 26” 29” Swag Width 20” – 30” 24” – 38” 28” – 44” 32” – 52” 36” – 58” 42” – 60” 46” – 60”

Enter your Swag Drop and Swag Width measurements on to your work sheet.

Please keep in mind that your finished swag may differ in size by as much as 1 inch. This is because every fabric is different based on stretchiness and how well it drapes.

If your window treatment design includes more than one size of swag, print out a separate worksheet for each swag.

Chapter 7. Fa ic and Lining Yardage br

There are 2 ways to make a swag… on the bias or railroaded. Bias cut swags hang much nicer than railroaded swags… but there are reasons for doing both. When looking at your fabric… the threads run horizontally and vertically. Now, if you were to cut your fabric at a 45 degree angle… this is called cutting on the bias. The reason bias cuts are nicer for swags is that fabric drapes and curves easier on the bias. However, if you cut your fabric on the bias for your swag, your fabric pattern will be turned 45 degrees. For many prints and solids, this is not an issue. If you are making a swag with a striped fabric, then you probably want your stripes to run vertically. So, in this situation, you would railroad your fabric. Once you decide if your fabric will be bias cut or railroaded, refer to the corresponding yardage chart below:

Bias Cut Swag Swag Drop Swag Width Yards 11” 20” – 30” 1 1/2 yards 14” 24 – 38” 1 1/2 yards 17” 28” – 44” 1 1/2 yards 20” 32” – 38” 1 1/2 yards 20” 40” – 52” 4 yards 23” 36” – 58” 4 yards 26” 42” – 60” 4 yards 29” 46” – 54” 4 yards Note: Yards listed is for fabric only. You will need the same amount of lining and interlining. Enter your fabric, interlining and lining yardage on to your work sheet.

Railroaded Swag Swag Drop Swag Width Yards 11” 20” – 30” 1 1/2 yards 14” 24 – 38” 1 1/2 yards 17” 28” – 40” 1 1/2 yards

20” 32” – 36” 1 1/2 yards 20” 36” – 52” 3 yards 23” 36” – 58” 3 yards 26” 42” – 60” 4 yards 29” 46” – 54” 4 yards Note: Yards listed is for fabric only. You will need the same amount of lining and interlining. Enter your fabric, interlining and lining yardage on to your work sheet. IMPORTANT The yardage calculations in the charts above are for ONE swag valance. If you are making more than one valance, make sure you add up the correct number of yards. For example, if I’m making three 28” wide swags I will need a total of 4 ½ yards of fabric, 4 ½ yards of lining and 4 ½ yards of interlining.

Decorative Trim If you are planning on sewing a decorative trim to the edge of your swag, then you will need (2 x CBW) + 4”. Continue on to the next chapter to discover what CBW is.

Note about interlining Interlining your swags is optional. Interlining is a soft layer that you insert in between your fabric and lining. It adds softness, fullness and protection to your fabric. Adding interlining to silk window treatments makes all the difference between home sewn window treatments and custom made professional window treatments. Again, interlining is optional… but recommended. You can find interlining and lining at www.draperysewingsupplies.com

Chapter 8. Cu our Fabric and Lining t Y

Find CL, CBW, and CSW Find your swag width in Appendix A. Find your swag drop length in the chart and enter the measurements onto your worksheet. You want CL, CBW, CSW and the pleat triangle.

Railroaded Swag Cut your fabric to (CBW x 2) wide by CL. You may need to piece your fabric widths to achieve the width of 2xCBW

CBW x 2

CL

Bias Cut Swag If you require 1 1/2 yards of fabric, then cut a 54” x 54” square of fabric, lining and interlining.

54”

54”

If you require 4 yards of fabric, then cut a 54 ½” x 72” rectangle and a 18 ½” x 72” rectangle.

54 1/2”

72”

18 1/2”

72”

Piece these 2 rectangles together with a ½” to create a 72” x 72” square of fabric. Do the same for the lining.

72”

72”

Chapter 9. Make Your Swag

Fold Your Fabric If you are interlining your swag, lay your interlining and fabric wrong sides together. Treat this as one piece… as your fabric. Lay your fabric and lining right sides together. Pin to keep the fabric and lining from slipping. For a bias cut swag, fold the fabric into a triangle with the lining side out.

Folded Edge

Bias Cut

For a railroaded swag, fold the fabric lining side out… aligning the side edges of the fabric. Orient your fabric so that the top end of your fabric pattern is on your left.

Folded Edge

Railroaded

CL

CBW

Mark Your Fabric The follow instructions apply to both bias cut swags and railroaded swags. The diagrams will show the bias cut material, but you can easily apply the same steps to your railroaded material.

Step 1. Along the folded edge, measure and mark CL.

Folded Edge

CLA B

Step 2. Measure over to the left of point B 7” and mark (C).

7”

A BC

Step 3. Measure over to the left of point A 2” and mark (D)

7”

A BC

2”D

Step 4. Measure up from point C CBW and mark (F). Be sure to use a Right Angle or T-Square when you measure up for F.

7”

A BC

2”D

CBW

F

Step 5. Measure up from point D CSW and mark (E).

F

7”

A BC

2”D

CBW

E

CSW

IMPORTANT: CSW will eventually become the top edge of your swag.

Make sure your fabric will look ok in this direction.

Step 6. Draw a straight line from point E to point F.

7”

A BC

2”D

F

E

Step 7. Draw a curved line from point F to point B.

7”

A BC

2”D

F

E

Step 8. Draw a curved line from point E to point A.

7”

A BCD

F

E

Print Pleat Triangles

Step 1. Find your Pleat Triangle in Appendix B that you entered on your worksheet and print it. (example: Pleat Triangle 6AB)

Mark Triangles

Step 1. Cut out your Pleat Triangle neatly along the lines.

Step 2. Align the dotted line on the triangle with point E and the straight line (refer to the diagram)

Step 3. Using a straight edge and marking pen, trace the edges of the triangle from the dotted line. Remove triangle.

Step 4. Align your Pleat Triangle next to the shape you just drew (refer to the diagram)

Step 5. Using a straight edge and marking pen, trace the edges of the triangle.

Step 6. Slide the triangle over and repeat across the straight line.

E

Draw line upto complete shape

Draw line upto complete shape

Cut Fabric and Lining Cut out your fabric and lining along the drawn shape. Unfold and press. Make sure you keep the lining and fabric pinned together.

Sew Your Swag

Step 1. Sew a ½” seam along the bottom and top curved edges.

1/2”

1/2”

STOP! If your window design includes a decorative trim, you will need to include this in step 1. Lay the trim in between the lining and fabric aligning the bottom curved edges of the fabric and lining with the raw edge of the trim. Pin as necessary. Then sew the ½” seam.

Step 2. Turn the fabric and lining right sides out and press the seams. If you included a decorative trim, you will see it along the fabric edge now.

Chapter 10. Pleat Your Swag

Step 1. Lay your swag fabric side up on a large flat surface. This could be your work table or even a clean floor.

a

bc

d

fe

Step 2. Referring to the diagrams above and below, fold the panel at b. The edge

of bc should be aligned with ab.

a

b

c

d

e

a

bc

de

b ca

de

Step 3. Pin or staple the pleat in place.

Step 4. Match point d to the edge of cb… folding the fabric at d and at c.

Step 5. Pin or staple the pleat in place.

d

b a c c

d e

a

edf

For best results, pin each pleat in 2 places…About 1” from the edge and about 2” from the edge.

Step 6. Repeat folding and pinning in this manner for both sides of the swag.

Step 7. Stitch across the top of the swag 1” from the top edge to hold the pleats in place.

Chapter 11. Install Your Swag

There are 2 ways to hang a traditional swag. You can attach your swag to a 1 x 3” board … or you can attach the swag to a decorative pole.

Board Mount Cut the board to the finished width of your window treatment. If you are only making one swag, then the board would be cut to the swag width. If your window treatment includes multiple swags, you will cut your board to the planned width of the overall design.

Window Treatment Width

Adhere the loop tape to the top of the board… along the front and side edges of the dust board.

loop tape

Decorative Pole Wrap the loop tape in a diagonal fashion around the drapery rod… covering the areas of the pole where the swag will be installed.

If you are installing just one swag or swags with no overlapping… without jabots or drapery panels…

Then sew a strip of 1” wide hook tape on the wrong side of the swag… along the top edge. Stick the swag to the board… matching Velcro strips. Or stick the swag to the drapery pole.

For all other layered swag treatments…

Step 1. Lay the swag right side up on your work surface.

Step 2. Cut mounting tape and double face tape 2” longer than the swag width.

Step 3. Lay the mounting tape with the back side facing up.

Step 4. Stick the double face tape on to the back of the hook half of the mounting tape… but not on the fold line. (The loop side is the soft fuzzy side.)

Step 5. Peel off the release paper.

Step 6. Stick the top edge of the swag onto the mounting tape with the top edge aligned with the fold line of the mounting tape… 1” of the mounting tape should extend off of each side.

Step 7. Fold the loop half of the mounting tape over the top edge of the swag.

Step 8. Stitch across the swag close to the tape edge.

IMPORTANT: Sew with the swag right side up.

Step 9. Cut along the fold line of the mounting tape until you reach the face fabric.

Step 10. Cut and remove the hook half of the tape.

Step 11. Turn the swag over to the lining side.

Step 12. Fold the remaining loop portions into triangles.

Then fold them to the back of the swag. The loops will stick to the hooks.

Your swags and jabots can now be easily installed onto your dust board or drapery pole.

As long as you have the loop side (soft fuzzy side) of your Velcro tape on the back side of your swags and jabot… and the hook side always on the face side… you will be able to easily layer multiple swags and jabots. Plus reposition them as needed! IMPORTANT: When installing layers of swags and jabots onto a drapery pole, it’s important to note which side of the pole you plan on hanging your jabots… or drapes. Some designs have every thing hanging on the front of the pole. Other designs have the swags on the front of the pole, but have the jabots hanging from the back of the pole.

If you plan on having the jabot or drapery panel hang from the back of the pole… be sure to apply the mounting tape so that the hook side is on the face side of the jabot or drape. The only thing left to do is to install the board to your wall using angle brackets… or install the drapery rod and brackets above your window.

Chapter 12. Appendix A: Swag Measurements

20” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 11” 20 1/8” 15” 6 ¼” 6AA

22” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 11” 20 1/8” 16” 7 ¼” 6AA

24” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 11” 20 1/8” 17” 8 ¼” 6AA 14” 24 7/8” 18 1/8” 7 ½” 6BA

26” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 11” 20 5/8” 17” 9 ¼” 6AB 14” 24 7/8” 19 1/8” 8 ½” 6BA

28” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 11” 20 5/8” 18” 10 ¼” 6AB 14” 24 7/8” 20 1/8” 9 ½” 6BA 17” 29 5/8” 22” 8 ½” 6CA

30” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 11” 20 5/8” 19” 11 ¼” 6AB 14” 24 7/8” 21 1/8” 10 ½” 6BA 17” 29 5/8” 23” 9 ½” 6CA

32” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 14” 25 ½” 21” 11 ½” 6BB 17” 29 5/8” 23” 10 ½” 6CA 20” 32 ½” 24 ¼” 9 ¾” 6DA

34” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 14” 25 ½” 21 3/4” 12 ½” 6BB 17” 29 5/8” 24” 11 ½” 6CA 20” 32 ½” 25 ¼” 10 ¾” 6DA

36” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 14” 25 ½” 22 ½” 13 ½” 6BB 17” 29 5/8” 25” 12 ½” 6CA 20” 32 ½” 26 ¼” 11 ¾” 6DA 23” 35 ¼” 27 ¼” 11” 6EA

38” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 14” 25 ½” 23” 12 ¾” 6BB 17” 30 ¼” 24 ½” 12” 6CB 20” 32 ½” 27 ½” 12 ¾” 6DA 23” 35 ¼” 28 ¼” 12” 6EA

40” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 17” 30 ¼” 25 ½” 13” 6CB 20” 32 ½” 28 ¼” 13 ¾” 6DA 23” 35 ¼” 29 ¼” 13” 6EA

42” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 17” 30 ¼” 25 ½” 14” 6CB

20” 33 3/8” 28 ¼” 12 ¾” 6DB 23” 35 ¼” 29 ¼” 14” 6EA 26” 39 3/8” 32 ¾” 13 ½” 6FA

44” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 17” 30 ¼” 27 ¾” 15” 6CB 20” 33 3/8” 29” 13 ¾” 6DB 23” 35 ¼” 30” 15” 6EA 26” 39 3/8” 33 ¾” 14 ½” 6FA

46” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 20” 33 3/8” 30” 14 ¾” 6DB 23” 35 ¼” 31” 16” 6EA 26” 39 3/8” 34 ¾” 15 ½” 6FA 29” 43 5/8” 36” 15” 6GA

48” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 20” 33 3/8” 31” 15 ¾” 6DB 23” 36 ¼” 32” 15” 6EB 26” 39 3/8” 33 ¾” 16 ½” 6FA 29” 43 5/8” 37” 16” 6GA

50” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 20” 33 3/8” 32” 16 ¾” 6DB 23” 36 ¼” 33” 16” 6EB 26” 39 3/8” 34 ¾” 17 ½” 6FA 29” 43 5/8” 38” 17” 6GA

52” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 20” 33 3/8” 33” 17 ¾” 6DB 23” 40 5/8” 34” 17” 6EB 26” 53 5/8” 35 ¾” 18” 6FA

29” 43 5/8” 39” 10 ½” 6GA

54” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 23” 36 ¼” 34 ½” 18” 6EB 26” 40 5/8” 36” 17 ½” 6FB 29” 43 5/8” 38” 19” 6GA

56” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 23” 36 ¼” 35 ½” 19” 6EB 26” 40 5/8” 37” 18 ½” 6FB 29” 43 5/8” 39” 20” 6GA

58” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 23” 36 ¼” 36 ½” 20” 6EB 26” 40 5/8” 38” 19 ½” 6FB 29” 43 5/8” 40” 21” 6GA

60” Swag Width Drop CL CBW CSW Pleat Triangle 26” 40 5/8” 39” 20 ½” 6FB 29” 43 5/8” 41” 22” 6GA

Chapter 13. Appendix B: Pleat Triangles

Pleat Triangles

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