Using Window Treatments in a Child's Room

Introduction

With curtains and valances, you can introduce fun colors and patterns into a child’s room that makes them want to enjoy fun times in their own playful space. There are several approaches to using window treatments in kids' rooms. Paint the walls with a bold, bright or cheery color and select a fabric of the same color to create a uniform decor. Or use the curtains to introduce the color and patterns into the room. If you’re working with a standard neutral wall color that cannot be changed, use decorative and colorful window treatments to break up the room’s monotonous decor.

Things You'll Need

Tape measure
Fabric
Scissors
Thread
Iron
Ironing board
Sewing machine
Thread
Curtain rods

Making Curtains

Step 1

Measure the width and length of the window with a tape measure. Double the width measurement to give the window treatment a decent gather and add 6 inches to the length to allow for the hems at the bottom and the top.

Step 2

Select fabric for the window treatments. Take a color sample of the room’s walls and of other decorative elements in the room. Purchase several yards of fabric, enough to make the amount of window treatments that you need for the entire room.

Step 3

Design the curtains for the kid’s room. Curtains work well with or without a valance. Use existing room accents for color inspirations since the appearance of these colors in more than one place in the room gives the space uniformity and consistency.

Step 4

Cut the panels for the curtains, and add 6 inches to the length to allow for the hem at the bottom and the top. For single or double windows, use the width measurement of the window to make one panel. Each window will have two curtain panels, and the extra gathered fabric will give the curtain body and will make it function as insulation for the window.

Step 5

Fold over the lengthwise sides to make a 1-inch hem, and fold over the top and the bottom to make 3-inch hems. Press them flat with an iron, and pin along the seam with straight pins to hold them in place.

Step 6

Measure about 1 1/2 inches down from the top of the curtain panel for the rod. Pin it across and stitch a straight stitch across the top to make a slot for the curtain rod to slide through.

Making Valances

Step 1

Design window valances. If the window has blinds or sheer curtains, a valance may be all that the windows need. The valances should capture the colors and patterns that define the room’s design.

Step 2

Make the valances as short or as long as you want for the room. Measure how the valance will hang from the top of the window frame, then add 5 to 6 inches to this measurement to fold over the fabric at the top for the curtain rod, and at the bottom for the hem.

Step 3

Give them a straight, paneled appearance by sewing it to the exact width measurement of the window. The valances do not have to gather at the top. For this method, back each panel with interfacing and a lining fabric.

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