Shelbee on the Rags: “Seaglass” Shaggy Raggy Valance & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up On the Edge #702
My mother-in-law came to visit a few weeks ago and when I showed her my new living room raggy window valance, she expressed an interest in something similar for her living room window, which I was, of course, happy to oblige.
Since she was coming to visit us again this week for spring break, I wanted to get straight to work so it would be ready for her to take home. She requested a color palette of pale greens, light tans, white, and ivory with lace and other lightweight fabrics. Specifically, she asked for “something summery.”
So I headed out to the thrift shop and found some wonderful unwanted textiles to cut into rags, including a few bedsheets and pillowcases, some silky tablecloths, and a big ole pile of lace curtain panels. I also threw in some pieces from my wardrobe that were recently cleared out including this green gingham shirt and this sage silk embroidered skirt.
After cutting up all of my fabrics into rags, I began tying the strips onto long pieces of rag rope to make four 48 inch valance panels. However, the window where my mother-in-law wants to hang this valance is only 74 inches wide so she really only needs two of the four panels.
Since I already completed four panels, I kept two for the 76 inch window in my dining room. I had taken down my DIY no-sew burlap curtains to hang this valance so I could straighten any uneven pieces. I call this straightening process “giving the raggery a haircut.” I hang it up, even it out, and then start snipping away until it looks right.
When I took down the burlap panels to wash them, I noticed that they faded in such a way that they look all dirty and stained so I am going to dye that burlap soon. In the meantime, I really like the new raggy valance in my dining room so I am keeping it there for a while.
I showed it to Nancy on our monthly Zoom call last week and she said it looks like sea glass. And it really does! When the sun rays shine through all the lacy bits, it definitely creates a really cool sea glass effect. And that is how this set of valances got its name. Thanks, Nancy!
But now I only had one dining room window curtained and no more sea glass valances made. I do have enough scraps leftover to create another set for the 100 inch dining room window, but I decided instead to convert the two Woodland Shaggy Raggy Garlands into a Woodland Shaggy Raggy Valance.
I added fabric loops 10 inches apart to hang the garland on the curtain rod. When I hung them, they were a tad too short for the length of the window. So I added a second set of fabric loops to drop the valance down a few more inches, I gave it a quick haircut, and it is absolute raggy perfection.
Nobody ever said that all the curtains in the same room have to match each other. In fact, many of my rooms have mismatched but coordinating curtains including my bohemian bedroom rag curtains and my living room window treatments. Now I can add my dining room rag valances to that list.
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What kind of window treatments do you have in your home? Are you traditional or do you get bit more creative with your home decor?
You can see my other raggery projects here.
Keeping it raggy,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
20 Comments
Suzy Turner
I adore sea glass so I think this is absolutely fabulous, Shelbee! Your MIL must have been so happy! I love all the greens (as you know lol). You’re so freaking creative!!
Hope all is well with you and your lovely family.
Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
Hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Suzy! I can’t wait to see the valance hung in my mother-in-law’s window. I will try to add a picture once she gets them hung. Have a lovely weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
I love that seaglass colour scheme. And thank you so much for the feature! It’s finally getting a bit warmer here so I’m hoping to soak in the sun a bit this weekend. Enjoy yours love!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you for giving it its name! The weather is finally getting beautiful here, too. Spring might actually be here to stay now! I hope you have an amazing weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Di
Shelbee, what a great compliment for your mother-in-law to love your raggery curtains so much, she wants one for her own! The soft sea glass colors look beautiful together. They are perfect and appear luminescent in front of a window that gets sunshine. Hope you enjoy making them, and your visit with your MIL next week. Thanks for sharing your creative project and the link up. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Di, thank you so very much! My mother-in-law has always been so supportive of everything her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren do. We are very blessed to have her!
xoxo
Shelbee
Esme Slabbert
What a great idea to use whatever scraps are available or can be found at a thrift store.
Well done.
Thanks for hosting, Shelbee, and having me over, and sharing with your readers.
. My entries are numbered #29+30.
Please join the SSPS at https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Esme, thank you so much! I am finding this whole process of taking unwanted clothing and fabrics and repurposing them into my artistic raggy creations so cathartic. I hope you have a most wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sally in St Paul
I love the pretty beachy sea glass theme in this piece! I am a sucker for those light and airy green tones, and it’s so lovely with the sun coming through.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so very much, Sally! I am excited to see what they look like in my mother-in-law’s living room!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Just when I don’t thinnk I can be any more impressed by your raggery projects, Shelbee, you come alone with another beautiful one! I love the sea glass concept, and I can definitely see it in this one. Your home must be so cozy and comfy with all these valances you’ve made. I can see the love in all of them.
Thanks for the link up!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Marsha, thank you so much! It is very cozy here with all the raggery around us! I just hung the “In the Garden” curtain (the one inspired by my mother) in the doorway between my kitchen and pantry and it feels like my mom is hugging me every time I walk through it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail
Lovely sea glass effect. I do enjoy seeing your ragging projects! Have a great weekend.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Gail! I have a bunch of projects piling up on me. Hopefully I will have more to share soon! I hope you have a lovely weekend as well.
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
Sea glass is absolutely gorgeous. Your MIL chose a lovely palette and you executed it so well. She is going to be thrilled. I love your Woodland garland conversion too. It goes so well with the wood blinds.
xoxo
Michelle
PS – I haven’t forgotten our intent to chat; it’s just been crazy busy here.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! I am loving both of these new valances in my dining room! I have been super busy as well so I totally understand. We will make it happen soon!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
I love the sea glass. Those are so super cool. You are super talented. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week,
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Patrick, thanks so much! I really appreciate that. I hope you have an amazing week ahead!
xoxo
Shelbee
Debra | Gma’sPhoto
This is a very ingenious idea. And a craft that I can even do!! I do not have the patience to do something like sewing, crocheting and knitting. But this is right down my alley!! Pinned.
Take care and best wishes.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Debra, thanks so much, my friend! I cannot crochet or knit and my sewing skills are basic novice level. I get very frustrated with sewing but I do enjoy it sometimes. I love my raggery crafts because it is so easy to cut strips and tie knots! Anyone can do it. You just need scrap fabrics, something to cut with, and a vision!
xoxo
Shelbee