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Finding the right curtains can be difficult. Hunting for the right style, color and then finding the size you need… the hunt can seem endless.
What if I told you that you can make your own! Customized to the size you need.. and they are neutral and can go with any decor, color scheme and style of home. Even better… they WON’T break the bank.
These are my drop cloth curtains. They took me less than 10 minutes to “make” and hang.
Supplies Needed:
- Curtain Rod to fit your window
- Curtain Rings with clamps
- Drop cloth ( I use the medium weight)
- Sharp scissors
The drop cloth size you choose will be dependent on your window size and how much overhang you prefer. I have 8 foot ceilings and the outside width of my window is 36 inches. So the 6 x 9 drop cloth was perfect for me.
First hang your curtain rod. I personally like to hang mine above the window casing, closer to the ceiling. I feel like raising the height of the curtain rod is more visually appealing and make the ceilings feel higher- this is great if you only have 8 foot ceilings like me. I also like the rod to extend a few inches beyond the window casing on each side. This helps to make a smaller window feel even larger.
While hanging the rod, go ahead and slide the curtain rings on. For this window, I used 10 rings total. I will use 5 rings per drop cloth panel. I like to have one ring on the outside of the bracket area, then the rest will be on the inside of the bracket.
Making the Drop Cloth Panels
First, you need to remove the drop cloth from your package. Fold it in half LENGTHWISE. Then cut up the entire length of the fold. If you want to be super exact and precise, you can iron the curtain seam on the fold and then cut on the ironed seam… but I don’t find that necessary.
Once the drop cloth is cut in half, you will now have TWO “panels”. I place the hemmed edge toward the inside of my window… leaving the raw cut edges on the outside edges. These outer raw edges will naturally turn in and not be seen. Take one “panel”, with the hemmed edge toward the inside, and hold it up to your window. Fold over about 8-10 inches of the drop cloth and then adjust the fold over amount based on how much puddling you want on your floor. I like mine to touch the floor with a slight puddling, but not enough to bunch up.
Remember for this window I used 10 rings total… 5 on each “side”. So I will number those rings 1-5 for purposes of this tutorial. Once you have determined the fold over amount, take one curtain ring – I start on the outermost ring (number 5) – and clamp the outer edge (raw edge side) onto the outer ring. Now take the opposite side of the drop cloth (folded edge side) and hang it on the first ring for that side (ring number 1). Now you will find the center between rings 1 and 5. Clamp ring 3 (the middle ring) at this spot. Then find the center between rings 1 and 3, clamp ring 2 there. Find the center between rings 3 and 5 and clamp ring 4 there.
Congratulations! You just hung your first curtain panel. Now repeat this same process for the other curtain panel. You can now adjust the fabric and folds so they hang nicely. You can also steam the wrinkles out with a fabric steamer… or choose to let the wrinkles “fall out” on their own.
Stand back and admire your work! You did it!!!!
Stay tuned for more easy, budget friendly tutorials coming soon!
XO Tiffany
Kathy says
Where did you get your drop cloths? Mine have a seam in the middle but I don’t see one on yours? I think I like the no seam look better…Thankyou!
MyDIYHappyHome says
Hi, Thank you so much for checking out my tutorial. I have a direct link saved in the tutorial to the one I use. It has no seam. If you click on the word dropcloth it should take you right to the product.