This week I finished sewing the crib skirt and valance for our baby’s “room”. I posted a couple of weeks ago about the fabrics I was going to use to make these items. I am happy to report that I love how they look together.
I used a pattern to make the crib skirt, but had to change some things to make better use of the amount of Red Riding Hood fabric I had to work with. I didn’t want to waste any of the fabric. The pattern was
I liked the fact that the crib skirt wasn’t gathered. It makes it easier to see the Red Riding Hood fabric this way. The pattern did call for a box pleat on each long side. I decided to mimic that in the valance I made.
To make the box pleat on the valance I folded the valance in half with right sides together. I used a basting stitch (longest stitch setting, no backstitching) and sewed a seam at 3 1/2 inches from my fold.
Then I centered the pleat over the basting stitches. I pressed the pleat and then used a basting stitch across the top of the pleat.
When I finished the valance I removed my basting stitches to reveal the box pleat.
Now I have a valance that matches the crib skirt. I think the colors are bright and cheery and I am happy whenever I look at Janna’s little “room”.
Here are my notes on how I made the valance so I don’t forget if I ever need to make another one.
Red Polka Dot Fabric - 54 inches by 15 1/4 inches
Red Riding Hood Fabric - 54 inches by 3 1/2 inches (I pieced two pieces together.)
White Fabric (lining) - 54 inches by 18 1/2 inches (I didn’t want the fabrics to fade.)
1. Sew the red polka dot fabric and Red Riding Hood fabrics together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
2. Sew lining to main fabric panel, right sides together on three sides using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. (I left the bottom open to not loose any of my Red Riding Hood, but I would probably just leave a small opening for turning with other fabrics.)
3. Turn right side out and press.
4. Use a zig-zag stitch to apply the trim to the bottom of the valance.
5. Make a box pleat as per the instructions above.
6. Fold the top of the valance over 3 inches and press.
7. Sew a seam close to the open edge and another 1 inch from the top. This makes the pocket for the curtain rod to go through.
I am having a lot of fun making things for the baby.
