Eric & I Do the Deed... We Re-Cover Our Window Valences

A bit of back story....  I have grown VERY TIRED of the valences in the living space of my motorhome.  The busy ferns and blue accents discourage home decorating creativity.  

I searched the Internet for guidance with this type of project and found what I needed at Wheeling it: Living the Fulltime Dream with 12 Paws, 40 Feet and the Open Road.  Nina and Paul recovered their valences and posted their project, with step by step instructions. After reading Paul and Nina's helpful post, I felt confident that I could take on this project and do it well.  All I had to do was find the fabric I wanted and gather the needed tools for the job.

While at the Winnebago Grand National Rally in Forest City, Iowa last July, I discovered an assortment of fabric remnants at the Winnebago Customer Service Store.  I found a tan fabric that I liked; looked at the spooled out fabric and "imagined" the amount needed.  I bought three pieces of leftover fabric, compared the remnants to my valences and confidently decided that I had enough fabric for the project.  It sat, folded in a bag, in my bedroom closet for seven months.  As time passed, I wondered if I had purchased enough fabric.  What if I didn't have enough?  Can I piece the fabric together to make this work?  I was driving myself crazy.

The time had come...  No more imagining... No more fretting... The project begins...

Eric loosens screws that hold

 the valences in place..

The large valences take up
a lot of space on our
motorhome's floor.

We took the valences outside to our camping tables.  Thank God they are spacious.

Let's see how these uniquely

shaped frames...

... are covered.

The foam padding is in

excellent condition.

I didn't need to buy quilt batting for this project.  I washed it, and now it's mine, for keeps.

The largest valence covers
both of our camp tables.







I carefully removed the old, printed fabric from the largest valences and laid it out on the longest remnant I have.

I am starting to feel confident

that I did purchase enough

fabric.

The cruel moment of truth is revealed....  The new fabric is not woven.  It's stretchy, probably a jersey type of fabric.  My carefully placed "templates" are just a guide for the new fabric, which must be stretched to snugly cover each valence.

I hand stitch the small
inset pieces for each
valence because I don't
own a sewing machine.

I start re-covering valences.

Corners are carefully folded
for a neat, finished look.

My basket of tools includes a

Sharpie, a Staple Gun, Staples,

a Staple Puller, Fabric Glue,

a Screw Driver & a Small

Hammer to tap in partially

secured Staples.

Some sections of the valence

require Fabric Glue to hold

pieces together.

I carefully position fabric

around the inner corners

of the valence.

I didn't change the printed fabric at the back the valence.  I was worried that I would run out of fabric. This turns out to be a good choice because the printed fabric is sturdier and will make a better "anchor" than the tan fabric I am using.

I glue the lower edge of the

inset fabric to the printed 

fabric backer.

Rulers keep protect the outer

edge from being creased by

the clamps that hold the

fabrics together.

The valences are re-installed....

Eric mounts the shades

into their brackets.

The kitchen & living room
windows look neat, crisp.

This photo clearly shows the

color of the re-covered

valences.

I am adding Southwestern accents to our living area.  

The largest valence, over
the buffet

The ceramic lizard we bought
in Puerto Palomas, Mexico
clearly stands out now.





Cost of this project: Fabric: $12.00; Staple Gun: $8.97; Staples: $6.36; Hammer: $2.00; Unused Quilt Batting: $9.97.  Total:  $39.30

I am VERY pleased, both with the results AND the cost of this redecorating project.