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If you have any questions beyond what is covered here, please feel free to email us at janovation@windowbonnets.com. We will get back back to you in less than 24 hours.
- Where are the instructions for making window treatments like these?
- I have a bay window and cannot afford a wood cornice board but love the look, is there a simple, easy, inexpensive solution?
- I need to cut one of the pieces for my cornice boards so I can get the perfect fit for my window. What is the correct way to do this, what do I use?
- I make my cut in the styrofoam but the edge is slanted and not straight, how can I fix it?
- I have no craft skills, where do I get ideas to create my own valance styles. The no sew cornice boards look very interesting and I would like to use them for completing my bedroom window treatments, where do I go?
- How do I assemble the Styrofoam pieces together to make my cornice boards?
- What kind of material is best to use?
- I am using a very thin material and it does not seem to hold tight in the tuck grooves, what can I do?
Q1: What kind of instructions do I get for making window treatments like these?
- Each Window Bonnets’ kit includes a detailed guide with all the window treatments instruction you will need to successfully complete your Window Bonnets project. Actually they come in two forms: a printed guide is in each kit box; and each sale includes a free 20 minute detailed instruction video (DVD format). This may sound trite but it truly is as simple as 1. Assemble, 2. Decorate & 3. Hang. Details can also be found at www.windowbonnets.com in the how to section. For all those “faint at heart” or first time crafters the DVD is your key, play it on your PC or Mac or TV. Play it while you work, pause when necessary, reverse and review, it truly ensures your success.
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Q2: I have a bay window and cannot afford a wood cornice board but love the look, Is there a simple, easy, inexpensive solution solution?
- Window Bonnets’ no sew cornice kits are the perfect solution to resolve all bay window treatments solutions. A special piece has been developed that bends in the middle to fit any angle and is very easy to mount. Basically each bay piece comes with two brackets. Push the brackets into the back tuck groove about 1.5-2” from the outer edges. Then walk up to the wall at the curve and bend the piece until the brackets fit flat on the wall. Our How to section includes a special page on bay windows and corners. Making window treatments for bay windows is so easy, check it out and get started today. Check out our bay window treatments in the Gallery of Homes.
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Q3: I need to cut one of the pieces for my cornice boards so I can get the perfect fit for my window. What is the correct way to do this, what do I use?
- The perfect and easiest way is to use a hot wire styrofoam cutter you can get one from many of the craft stores. But the most practical way is to simply use a hack saw blade, electric knife or serrated blade knife works very well.. Once you make the cut, you really need to finish the edge or the styrofoam “poppies” will go everywhere. To finish place a piece of aluminum foil on the cut edge and tap it with a hot steam iron to seal it. Now you are ready to attach the end caps and complete your custom decorating window treatments. All of these tips are included in the free video you get with each kit. They can also be reviewed on our assembly page.
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Q4: I made my cut in the styrofoam but the edge is slanted and not straight, how can I fix it?
- If your cut is slanted in one direction or the other, place a piece of aluminum foil over the cut edge, heat your iron and then press and hold it for just a second or two till the “bulging” edge becomes straight,. You may have to do this a couple of times to get it perfectly straight. Trust me, there is nothing you can do to this cornice that cannot be easily fixed.
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Q5: I have no craft skills, where do I get ideas to create my own valance styles. The no sew cornice boards look very interesting and I would like to use them for completing my bedroom window treatments, where do I go?
- Craft skills are not necessary for our cornice boards project. You have already decorated your home by choosing a couch, a chair, flooring, wall colors, so you have more design skills than you realize. The best place to start is your imagination and personal preferences for color and fabric design. Is there a theme or color pattern in the room? What is your favorite color in this room? What accent colors do I have in the room? Answer these questions and you have your start. Check out the Window Bonnets Gallery of Homes pages for ideas that actual customers have created (many claiming no design skills) to see what can be done.
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Q6: How do I assemble the Styrofoam pieces together to make my cornice boards?
- A very easy process. First lay out the straight pieces and measure the exact length you want. Cut the foam to the desired length and you are ready to assemble. Use a low temperature glue gun with multi temperature glue sticks. Use a full size glue gun not a miniature glue gun or you will not be able to get enough glue on the pieces to firmly hold them together. Put the glue along the outer edges and back and forth through the thicker section of the piece, put the two pieces together, and rub them back and forth around and then hold them firmly together for about 15 seconds for the glue to set. You now have a secure bond that will last. Do this with each of the pieces until your desired length is completed and then attach the end caps. Great, now you are ready to start the decorating process and create that special unique window treatments look you dreamed of. More information is available at www.windowbonnets.com or on the video supplied with each.
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Q7: What kind of material is best to use?
- The absolute easiest material to use is a medium weight generally a drapery or home decor fabric. It hides any slight mismatch between pieces and holds securely in the grooves. That being said, virtually any material can be used, thick-upholstery material, to the ultra thin-sheer scarf material. Thick material just takes a bit of handling to tuck into the groove, and ultra thin material should be gathered thickly so the white of the styrofoam cornice is not visible under the fabric. Check out Beverly’s master bedroom for the use of a sheer scarf and our family room for the upholstery fabric.
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Q8: I am using a very thin material and it does not seem to hold tight in the tuck grooves, what can I do?
- Thin materials can present a very unique problem, similar to silky, slippery fabrics. I actually have several suggestions. The contour you are covering with this fabric can be gathered and bunched as its valance style and thus create a thicker bit of material to tuck in the groove. If that is not what you want, then my old stand by, some plain cord can be used. You can find it at any hardware store, purchase a width that is just a bit larger than the tuck groove itself. Once you have your fabric in the groove, push the cord into the groove and it will create enough tension to hold your fabric securely.
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