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How to Make a Ruffle Hem for a Balloon Valance

A balloon valance is a window treatment that balloons out when you raise it. If the balloon valance has a ruffled hem, the hem will spread out to complement the ballooning effect of the curtains. Ruffled hems are simple to make as long as you know your way around a basic sewing machine. Gathering ruffles is a good skill to have since it translates well to other sewing projects.

Things You'll Need

Scissors
Measuring tape
Iron
Thread
Sewing machine
Fabric
Pins

Instructions

- 1
  Measure out a piece of fabric that̵7;s two to three times as wide as the bottom of the balloon valance and 8 to 10 inches long. Cut out the fabric.
- 2
  Fold the fabric in half width-wise, and iron it flat.
- 3
  Place the nonfolded ends of the fabric under the sewing machine foot and sew a straight stitch. Set the machine for the longest foot length and the loosest tension. Reverse the stitch at the end of the fabric to hold the thread in place.
- 4
  Pull the bobbin thread gently to gather the fabric into ruffles. Pull the fabric until you reach the other end. Gather the fabric until it is the same width as the bottom of the balloon valance.
- 5
  Sew over the ruffled ends with a zigzag stitch on normal tension to prevent the fabric from fraying.
- 6
  Pin the ruffled end of the hem to the bottom of the balloon valance. Pin the ruffle to the valance with the right sides together and the ruffled edge facing up (the gathered side should be lined up with the bottom of the valance) so the seam won't show when the ruffle is sewn on. Sew the ruffled hem to the valance with a straight stitch with normal tension. Remove the pins as you sew to avoid damaging your sewing machine. Turn the valance over so the right sides are facing forward.

Sewing