Upcycling and Repurposing Curtains

I had some plain navy blue valances that we had used where we previously lived.  I'd stuck them up at our current living room windows, but hated them there.  They were too short for this length window.

I spent some time pricing curtains online and looking at fabric in Hobby Lobby.

I just didn't want to make that kind of investment (cost wise) for something I wasn't in love with, and I just couldn't find anything I was in love with.  I did check the local thrift stores and didn't find anything there either -- not even a compromise pair of curtains.

I came back home and looked at these valances again. 

I decided to take one down and take it up to my sewing room.

I added a strip of the fabric I used to repair the sofa and then a narrow strip of navy with polka dots.

I like the contrasting patterns, but the colors mesh well together.

So I upcycled/repurposed valances used in a former home.

I did these before I cut out my throw pillows to make sure I had adequate fabric.

I had more than enough and throw pillows are next on my list.

Cost to me -- I used leftover thread (borrowing a tip from Carol and using a slightly different shade of blue in the bobbin).

The valances had more than served me well in the last home...so I consider them a wash.

The blue polka dot fabric was a gift from Mama some time ago.

I think it took me longer to pin baste and to iron than it did to sew them.

So basically I consider this a more or less freebie.

Bonus is they tie in well with the existing fabrics I'm using.