- How to stitch a valance.
Hang a large, decorative flag in place of a window curtain, or stitch it into a puffy valance. Decorative flags are often somewhat translucent, allowing a small amount of light to pass through, which makes them ideal for makeshift curtains on windows that aren't very sunny.
To turn any decorative flag into a puffy valance, fold it in half the long way and run two parallel stitches down the length of the fabric. The first stitch should be about 3 inches from the end, where each side of the fabric is brought together. The second stitch should run 3 to 4 inches from the first, although if your curtain rod is wider than that, you may want to use a different measurement. Run a practice stitch at a length of 1/2 inch to see if the rod slides in nicely. Adjust the width, if necessary, to accommodate a thicker or thinner rod.
To bring new life to an old cornice, cover it with a decorative flag. Lay the flag over the cornice, experimenting with different placement positions until you find your favorite. Once you're happy with the results, use a staple gun to affix the flag onto the cornice backing. Begin on one long end and run a line of staples that are no more than 1/2 inch apart. Stretch the fabric firmly, but not too tight, and staple the other side. Begin in the center and check the front periodically to ensure that you're not accidentally increasing the tension. - If your decorative flags match the theme in your bedroom or living room, consider making them into decorative throw pillows or pillowcases. For sleeping purposes, the fabric that flags are made of isn't very practical, but for decorative pillows, it's just fine. The linen or cotton that sleeping pillowcases are made from breathes better than flags, which are often made of synthetic material.
Decorative flags are generally weatherproof, and suitable for the outdoors, so you can make throw pillows for your patio furniture or porch swing. They also work well for a kitchen bench. - Whether you're using it as a tablecloth for your kitchenette, or for a picnic, decorative flags work well on small tables. Next time you go camping, use a decorative flag to cover the stump you're using as a table, it's a lot easier to wipe down than a traditional tablecloth.
- Cover the door of your car with a decorative mascot flag to show team pride at a sporting event. To use a large, decorative flag as a door cover, open the car door and pull one end of the fabric through the "hinged" area, using duct tape to secure it. Then, stretch it across the door, using an additional layer of duct tape to secure it to the inside of the door frame. If your flag is considerably larger than your door, cut it to allow the door-closing mechanism to function properly.
An alternative that's less likely to damage your flag is to run the flag vertically instead of horizontally, tucking one end into the window and then rolling it up. Stretch the other end down under the door and secure it with duct tape. It's probably not safe to obstruct the driver's side or front windows this way. Check your state laws to see about regulations that limit the use of window coverings, in some states the back windows cannot be covered.
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