Pelmets, like valances, cover the top of the curtain to give elegance to the window. Pelmets, however, are flat and stiffened with buckram so they need less fabric than valances and need to be fitted to the front of a 1" (2.5cms) thick wooden board (pelmet or cornice board) which is fitted to the wall above the curtain track. The pelmet can be kept in place with either Velcro or small  tacks. The shaped buckram is covered with fabric and neatened at the back with lining material. Braid or tassels can be added to the bottom edge to enhance the shape of the pelmet. Special consideration should be given to the depth of the pelmet. A general rule is one sixth of the drop of the curtain with a minimum of 8" (20cms).
These free illustrated sewing instructions will enable you to make your own pelmets to enhance your window treatments.

Tip: An actual sized paper pattern pinned to the top of the open curtains gives a good indication of the finished effect.

Requirements:

Pelmet board or box pelmet 6" (15cms) deep x 1" (2.5cms) thick by required length of pelmet. 

Brackets to attach pelmet board. 

Adhesive buckram, Pelform or MDF (man made wooden board) to the desired depth and length of the pelmet. In these instructions we have used buckram.

Wadding to cover one side of the buckram.

Fabric to cover the right side of the pelmet.

Lining to cover the wrong side of the pelmet.

Braid or tassels ( if required ) the length of the lower edge of the pelmet.

Velcro (touch and close fastening) or tacks to attach the pelmet to the wooden shelf.

Making The Pelmet:

Unless a straight pelmet is to be made it is essential to make an actual sized  paper pattern first (an old roll of wallpaper is ideal for this ). A variety of shapes and patterns can be made.

Before cutting out, fold the pattern in half  to make sure the shape is the same on each side.

Place the pattern onto the buckram and cut out to the same size.

Join any seams in the fabric and lining using a  flat seam. Make sure there is a full width of fabric in the centre of the pelmet with part widths on either side and that any pattern on the fabric is positioned centrally.

Place the pattern onto the fabric  and then the lining and cut out leaving 1" (2.5cms) seam allowance at the top edge and 0.5" (12mm) seam allowance on the other edges. See figure 1 below.

Pin lining and fabric, right sides together, along sides and bottom. Stitch  0.5" (12mm) from raw edge.

Clip seam allowance at 1" (2.5cms) intervals along bottom edge.

Turn right sides out and press.

Moisten buckram lightly and cover one side with wadding. When stuck, trim wadding to shape of buckram.

Slip covered buckram between fabric and lining making sure to line up seam at lower edge.

Turn 1" (2.5cms) seam allowance at top edge between fabric and lining and  slip stitch.

Glue or  backstitch by hand tassels or braid to lower edge if required.

Glue velcro to top edge on wrong side.

Fix the shelf to the wall above the curtain track using the brackets and glue the velcro to the side and front edges.

Attach the pelmet to the shelf using the velcro and gently fold the buckram at the corners.

If fixing the pelmet with tacks, mark the centre of the pelmet and the shelf.

Place the first tack in the centre and work out to each edge making sure the tacks are at regular intervals and the corners are secure.

Gently fold the buckram at the corners.