Nap Time: Repurposed Random Window Valance

So here is what I did:

First I ironed my curtain, then cut the top seam off. All of the suede like tabs were removed and I took my seam ripper to open them up. These will become the letters later on. Next I cut out my fabric for the canvas, approximately 5×7. I used two pieces from the top portion, and two from the bottom of the valance to incorporate the stripe pattern.

Now you are ready to wrap your canvas in the fabric. I cut my fabric big enough to wrap it onto the back. To keep the fabric flat on the back I folded it much like you fold wrapping paper on a gift. I used my fabric glue to adhere the fabric to the canvas ON THE BACK. Depending on the glue, it may take an hour or more to dry. But there are other things to be done as it’s drying. ~ I can’t stress this enough: Do Not Apply the Glue on the Front of the Canvas! Why, you ask? Because it will show throw in some way; darkening the fabric, causing ripples, and generally showing glue spots are some reasons why. ~

While my fabric glue was drying, I prepared my letters. For me, this part was frustrating because it involved the computer. However, that does not mean it has to for you. You can even hand print your letters in your own handwriting, or if you are doing something for a bigger kid, let them write the letters to their name! If you are handwriting your letters, make sure to write in a bold pen or marker on thin paper. When you trace your letter onto the heat activated stabilizer you need to make a mirror image in order to get the letter to face the correct way.

With my computer, I created a jpeg file of my font in a mirror image and printed them on paper. Then I traced with pencil onto the stabilizer.

Placing my fabric for my letters (remember, I used the suede like tabs from the top of the valance) on my stabilizer, I ironed them together, bonding the stabilizer and the fabric.

With my computer, I created a jpeg file of my font in a mirror image and printed them on paper. Then I traced with pencil onto the stabilizer. Make sure you trace onto the side WITHOUT the fusible bonding substance. You will be able to tell the difference because most of the fusible stabilizers have a shiny or slightly reflective substance on the bonding side.

Placing my fabric for my letters (remember, I used the suede like tabs from the top of the valance) on my fusible stabilizer, I ironed them together, bonding the stabilizer and the fabric.

Let me pause here to note that you should always check what type of fabric you are using before you set a hot iron to it. That suede like fabric was something fragile and meltable….as you can see my awesome smooth glide T-Fal iron paid the price for having it on a setting much too high for the fabric. Fortunately I caught this quickly, turned down the iron, and was able to salvage my letters just fine.

Once your letters are bonded to the stabilizer, now cut them out with your precision scissors using your tracing on the stabilizer as a guide.

Everything by this point was dry, so I was ready to set my letters to the canvas. Except, well….they didn’t look right…they weren’t “popping” the way I wanted. So as a fix, I had some felt that I could use as a highlight behind the letters.

Much better! Attached the letters with a small amount of fabric glue. If you plan on hanging them by ribbon, cut your ribbon to the desired length and glue that to the back.

And that is all! You are done!

I hung Vera’s with the giraffe wall decals above her crib, which helped close up the space between them nicely. Now we don’t have just two random giraffes.

We’d love to see what you’ve repurposed for nursery or home decor; post on our Facebook page.