Great idea! Thanks for starting this.

This is the "before" picture of my DD's kitchen. Dark, old cabinets, with a napkin temporary valance.

This is the "after" photo. After we painted the cabinets we wanted a quick new valance. I had forgotten to bring my sewing machine, and stitch-witchery didn't work, so we used safety pins to build this valance! I'll fix it when I return with my machine. Next up, new gray countertops and white backsplash. The valance really pops in this "new" old kitchen! (We tore down the old scalloped wood trim that half hid the curtain. We then put up a small piece of crown to edge the shelf. They love it.)

I'm so glad My3dogs had posted her directions. I never thought to make a square and use ties to hold it up. Also now a fan of fabric glue.

Here's the first one I made. When I was finished, I realized I would've like it better with more fabric but I never bothered to redo.
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Safety pins! Who would have thought? That's a good idea for when you aren't sure about how it will look but need a better visual than holding it up to the window :)

Shee, wonderful fabrics. I love the trim you used. That's something I'm waffling about with my own. I like it but feel it may be too much in most of my rooms. I don't even have fringe on my pillows. I think it would have been a great addition to the blue toile, though. I'll have to talk to my friend and see if she'd like that added.

That toile drape has nice legs :p.

I have never made a valance because I think of them as looking like that napkin mess above but you ladies have convinced me I'm an idiot! Can someone link the instructions? I'd like to make some for my kitchen :).

On another sewing note, I've been purchasing hand embroidered linen kitchen cloths to make cafe curtains for my laundry room and future mud room. I found the daily ones that were popular in the 30s that say "wash day, iron day etc" for the laundry room and on this last vacation found ones that cornical the first meeting of a couple up to the marriage, all hand done on soft linen :). I can't wait to finish those :). They're so sweet. I'm just not sure if I want to line them or not so I'm waiting.

Igloo, those sound adorable. Can't wait to see a pic.
I, also, didn't care for valances until I realized that they don't all look the same. It's a nice way to introduce pattern in my solid color world.

Below is the link to the thread explaining how to make my3dogs version.

Here is a link that might be useful: Easy sew valance

I made these roman shades and valances for my living room:

Such talent above. I wish I was better at deciding what color pillows and accessories go with my window coverings. Here are a few from the past.
The green valance below was hung on a pvc pipe.

This floral fabric was on a cornice which we later recovered in a solid when we sold the home. The realtor said it made it more neutral for others.

The solid for selling (different color drape)

Faux romans in current apartment.

My sea & sand bathroom:

Cool!

Here's my living room valance:

spring 2010 project

Here's the kitchen valance that I made using a Simplicity pattern:

And a My3dogs valance in the bath. I've done over the bath since the photo was taken--I had forgotten that we used to have the wallpaper border. I've been waiting for inspiration on a new valance for that window so this is a great thread....wonderful to see all the lovely WTs.

Here is the valance I made for the window above my kitchen sink:

And the one for my laundry room:

How about a valance not made with fabric?

How did you do these? I want this in my bathroom asap lol

Can you share how you made this? Or did your purchase? I want this! :-) lol

For years I made all the valances in out bedrooms and kitchen. Pictures weren't as easily come by then but here is one of the bedrooms.

I have posted before our cornices--here dressed for Christmas:They were made from cast off cove and fluted trim.

I am a novice in sewing but made 3 sets of lined rectangles attached to rod w clip hooks. For a different look , I just change to a different color in my neutral kitchen. I pull 1 panel over window to keep out afternoon sun.

My no-sew kitchen DIY valences...