Sewing Valance Curtains

As promised, here are the simple steps to making a valance curtain. I'm telling you, it's SO easy. I can't stand bare windows and I think curtains are such an easy way to make a house more homey.

So, I finally put my Christmas present to work, and I have a confession... I'm starting to actually like sewing. There's just something about creating something that makes you feel good. I've always hated sewing, so this is a BIG deal for me. I'm pretty much obsessed with my new curtains, and I think it's mainly because I made them.

Step 1: Measure the length of your window, double it, and that's how many yards of fabric to buy. However, if you want your curtain to be more ruffly you can do 2.5 times the length of your window and if you want it less ruffly do 1.5

Step 2: Fold your fabric based on the length you want your valance. I think 15 inches is a good amount, but if the window is smaller you might want something closer to 12 inches. Cut the fabric on the fold.

Step 3: Hem the short ends of the fabric. It's best to iron the hem and then pin it. Makes is SO much easier!

Step 4: Fold fabric together with the good side of the fabric on the inside. Pin the long edges together so they match up perfectly and then you're ready to go. When you're all done sewing, it will kind of look like a big tube.

Step 5: Turn the fabric right-side out and iron so the fabric has nice crisp edges. Don't mind my "ironing board" aka my kitchen counter with a towel... we don't iron much and actually I bought this iron specifically to make the curtains. Is it sad that we've been married for over two years and this is the first time I've ironed?

Step 6: Measure the length of your curtain rod and give yourself about 1/2 inch extra wiggle room... because if you're anything like me it's really hard to sew a straight line! :)

Step 7: Before you sew the pocket for your curtain rod, here's a trick my mother-in-law taught me: put a piece of tape on your sewing machine that will be your guide for sewing a straight line. Honestly, I didn't even look at the needle for this step...I just kept my eye on the tape and made sure the fabric was right on the line. I put the tape down the whole length of my sewing machine and it was like MAGIC. Worked like a charm.

And voila, you have a valance! See I told you, SO easy!

I love making our house into a home. Little by little it's starting to come together. It's really my favorite thing, making it ours.

It's really starting to feel like home.

**Update December 18, 2013** Wow, the popularity of this post is overwhelming! I wrote this post mostly to help myself remember how to sew a valence and also to show some friends how to as well. If you have any questions or have made a curtain from my instructions I would LOVE to hear from you! My email is hannah.richins at gmail dot com. Thank you!!!

Transformation

I'd like to introduce you to someone I like to call "The New and Improved Hannah." Seriously you guys, I am a changed woman! Some of you may know me as a picky eater. Let's just say multiple people have nick-named me "peanut butter girl" because I have been known to eat peanut butter sandwiches while everyone else is eating normal food. Some of you may also know me as someone who does not have a crafty bone in her body and absolutely HATES to sew.

Well here's some proof that I am going through some major transformations. This is a BIG deal folks!!!

Exhibit A: I ate LOBSTER tail and steak that was pink. Oh, and I'm obsessed with potatoes now. The only potato I would touch 6 months ago was a french fry!

Landon made me this fancy dinner. He's adorable.

Exhibit B: I made enchiladas with homemade red sauce. And there were chopped onions and tomatoes involved. And... I didn't even gag!

Exhibit C: I made these curtains for our living room. All by myself (kinda... I had to call my mother-in-law every 10 minutes...but still!)

I'm thinking of doing a separate blog post on how to make these curtains because it really is SO easy and it makes such a difference. Our living room is SO cute now and all I want to do is stare at my curtains. It's ridiculous how obsessed I am.

I can't take all the credit for my transformation. I mean, yes I am obviously awesome (haha!) but really I am so grateful to have Landon who makes me want to be a better person. He encourages me and believes that I can do things that I never thought I could do. I am ALWAYS scared to try new things, but not so much anymore. Bring it on!

At this rate, I may become the next Martha Stewart.... watch out world!!!!

Happy Love Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day to my Forever Valentine!

Every morning I have to wake up and leave for work before Landon. I hate that we don’t get to wake up together during the week. Like REALLY hate it. So to solve this problem I wake up 30 minutes before I need to, get ready for the day, and then get back in bed to snuggle for 30 minutes. Then I kiss Landon goodbye, tuck him back into bed, and head on my way to work. Well this morning after snuggling, I went downstairs and saw this on our kitchen counter:

So stinkin adorable I can’t even STAND it. Only Landon knows me well enough that Reese’s eggs in the shape of a heart and white cheddar cheese popcorn means WAY more to me than a bouquet of flowers :) I immediately broke into tears, ran upstairs, jumped on my sleeping Landon, and showered him with kisses.

Being married to your best friend is the absolute best feeling in the whole world. And its little moments like this that make life so wonderful. And do you know what? It just keeps.getting.better.

Happy Valentine's Day my sweet Landon Dean! You are my happy.

What a Perfect Day Looks Like To Us: