How to Measure for a Pleated Valance

Determine how deep you want your valances to be from the curtain rod or inside of the window casing downward. Typically a valance will drop down 12 to 16 inches or a third of the window's length. Add 4 inches to this distance. This will allow for an inch for the bottom hem and 3 inches for the top rod pocket or mounting board.

Measure the width of your window inside the casing if using a mounting board, or measure from one end of the curtain rod to the other to find the base width you are working with. Decide how far apart you want each pleat in inches and divide your base width by this number to find how many pleats you'll be making.

Multiply the number of pleats the valance will have by 5 inches and add this sum to the base width of your window or rod. Add 2 inches to this measurement to allow for a 1-inch hem on each side of the valance. If you have wrap-around rods, then measure the distance from the wall to the face of the curtain rod, called the return, and multiply this distance by two. Add this amount of return to your total, if applicable.

Use the total you came up with in Step 3 to buy the quantity of fabric you need. Cut the fabric's depth to the measurement calculated in Step 1. This should give you one solid piece of fabric to work with for creating your pleated valance.