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Pencil pleat tape : Tape is available in 1", 3" & 6" versions. Tape has a velcro compatible loop section instead of the hook pockets. A smaller size of tape, set down from the top of the valance gives a soft pie-crust frill, creating a very pretty look. Pinch pleat : It is also a classic, always smart; curtains fall in even folds, showing the pattern to its best advantage. Add buttons or tufts for an eye-catching accent. The pleats can be made up to 10" deep and the general rule is the longer the curtains the deeper the pleats. Goblet head : It can be made without buckram for a softer appearance and looks good with quite a large button at the base in contrast or smartly understated in self-colour. Contrast lined cut-away goblets : These are a variation where the inside of the goblet is lined in a contrast fabric and the front of the goblet is cut away to show the lining. The contrast button at the base finishes the effect. Spaced shaped double bell : This valance is designed to be used with a dominant motif or pattern, the wide flat section showing off the pattern and the double pleated bell giving fullness. Contrast lining for the bell and a co-ordinating rope are shown here, but a frill at the base would change the look completely. Swags & tails : They are available in many variations but essentially two forms are common. Single swags, overlapped, or butted with a tail at either end to balance, or trapeze cut, where the swags are joined while flat and pleated up afterwards also with a tail at either end. Various small tails, jabots and tassels are used to decorate the joins. An alternative is to use a dropped swag, either, as here against a fabric covered style 1-ply pelmet, or over a pole. Ply pelmets and lambrequins : Hard pelmets are made on a ply base. Buckram can be used but we find that it does curl and buckle with age. With the current taste for a rather tailored look, we find ply is a better base. There are many designs for the shape of this type of pelmet, when choosing, consider how the fabric will fit into the shape as well as which shape will suit the window. It is a good idea to make a paper pattern and hang it in the window, just to check the sizes; it is very common to make pelmets too shallow! A lambrequin is a pelmet that extends three quarters of the way down the side of the window! Mostly used on a window with a blind, where curtains are not suitable.
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