I have 3 big windows in my sewing room. I have mini blinds and sheer white curtains tied back on the sides. I get good light in my room. White doesn't show dust as much as dark colored curtains do. I take them down a couple times a year and wash them.

Odd this should come up right now as I am in the process of putting up only valances. I have three floor to ceiling windows (sunroom redone to quilting room) and I look out the middle one as I am sewing. I do get the morning sun, which I love, even though I am rarely in there in the morning. I have just finished using 4" squares to piece the three valances. I can't finish them until I get some fabric for lining, will probably use muslin. I am also going to put a small bottom border of muslin, and the header will be muslin. They will probably be about 12" long, and I will hang them on small tension rods when they are finished. I didn't want them to be long, just something cute and quilty as an accent. I can hardly wait to get them done. Good luck to you making your decision!

I don't have curtains, but have blinds and a cornice I made with styrofoam. It's so cute and I smile every time I look at it. Not a great pic. Sorry. I used these free instructions from Styrofoam: http://www.styrofoamcrafts.com/proje...4#.Uhuuwsu9KSM

I have both window shades (roller type, affixed at the top of the window) and cutwork cafe curtains. I need to control the incoming HEAT during certain times of the day and the summer season. It's simply the angle of light over my neighbor's fence that comes into my room. The cutwork cafe curtains make it look a lot crisper and have a peek-a-boo of color.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I may just go with a valance and that's all. I like the look of blinds..just hate cleaning them! LOL

I have vertical blinds and love them because they are so easy to clean.

My curtains are what I call Lima Bean green:D w/white polka dots! I only close them during the sunny hours of the day to keep my fabric safe from sunburn.
peace

I have shades, no curtains.

Blinds and a valance only.

Jan in VA

Clean blinds in the bathtub, rinse with the shower, dry with a towel, rehang. Takes about 1/2 hour. :-)