Save TONS of money on drapery with these DIY no-sew drop cloth curtains. Make easy and inexpensive curtains and a DIY curtain rod on a tiny budget.
I’m going to admit a shameful fact here: we went almost three years in this house without living room curtains. I know, I know. I don’t know why, but I seem to be completely incapable of making decisions about this one room. Why!?!?
Related: Decorate your home with window treatments that you love and can afford, with these 10 inspiring tutorials for DIY curtain panels.
But I am happy to report that I did finally commit to curtains, and of course they were a DIY project.
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SUPPLIES- everything I used to dye and hang these No-Sew Drop Cloth Curtains:
- Long wood dowel
- 4 wood brackets – the super cheap ones (like under $2) from the home improvement store
- hole saw
- wood dowel(s) – I used 2 and joined them together at a bracket
- dowel screws
- wire brush
- wood stain – I used a combination of Golden Oak and Early American
- medium gray chalk paint
- 2 large drop cloths (6×9 is a good size for these style curtains)
- Blue fabric dye – I used this kind
- Drapery Clip Rings
Part 1: DIY Curtain Rod
I fell in love with this DIY curtain rod tutorial from Maison De Pax, and I knew just what I had to do.
I know the hole saw looks intimidating, but it’s really easy to use. First I stained the wood brackets and dowel with a mix of Golden Oak and Early American. Then I distressed with chalk paint and more Early American stain.
By going the DIY route, I saved a TON of money.
P.S. – Hanging curtain rod hardware can be tricky – you want the brackets to be evenly spaced and the rod to be level. Watch this quick video to see my little “hack” to ensure perfectly hung curtains every single time:
Part 2: Dye and Hang Drop Cloth Curtains
I really liked using this kind of fabric dye to get the just right shade of blue on my curtains.
Fair Warning: Don’t even try to do this in a plastic tub. It makes a HUGE mess, and will lead to uneven dyeing of your fabric. Just use the washing machine. Add salt and the fabric dye to a hot water cycle. Be sure to bleach out your washing machine after!
I also ordered drapery rings, which saved me the hassle of having to add grommets!
Be sure to select a drop cloth at least a foot longer in length than you need. This way you can fold over the top of the panel, eliminating the need to sew a bottom hem. I like my curtains to just touch the floor, but it’s all personal preference.
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Did you bleach your drop cloth first?
Hi Pam – I did bleach them, but I didn’t feel like it made a difference. I don’t think I used enough bleach 🙁
How wide is your window? I am wanting to use drop cloth curtains and am trying to figure out what size I need to get and how many. My window is like 120 inches wide.
Hi Kristin – My windows are about the same size (4 panes wide). Drop cloths come in different sizes, so you can do whatever you want. My curtains don’t cover all of the windows entirely, but I don’t close them. They’re more for decoration. You would probably need 4 of the panels that I have.
I hope that helps!
Hi Aimee, these look great. I love drop cloth curtains and had some on my patio and then I did some for my daughter’s condo, but just as they come.
I’d love to dye some drop cloths but I have a front loader. What kind of machine do you have ? I’d have to do this and not tell my hubby after because he’d freak out LOL
Hi Toni – I have a top-loading washer. There are other dyeing options on the package directions, though, if you don’t want to use the washer!
Aimee, you are super creative. I really like the idea of making one for my kitchen. what if i will use steel rod instead of wooden. I am thinking of making it in light green color. Thank you so much for the idea, i will share my curtains once they will be ready. I will also subscribe to your blog for more posts like this.
Hi Hannah! So glad you like the project. I don’t see any problem, as long as the ends of the rod are smooth and nice looking! Can’t wait to see how this works out for you!
I this tutorial everywhere and decided to try it. I bought several drop cloths from Home Depot (as many suggested). They all have a seam right across the middle. In every tutorial, nobody mentions this seam. I don’t see one in them. How is it that every single pair I bought happens to have this, but nobody else’s does??
Maybe you bought larger drop cloths? I bought mine at the Home Depot, too. No seams in mine. So sorry!
This is an awesome post. All pictures are fabulous. You are so creative. I think you did a great job. Will try creating one myself to store some of my make-up essentials to lessen the space in my room. Keep up the great work! I’m glad you put this article. Seriously, thanks for sharing this awesomeness.
I just came across your post. I ❤️ it!!! Everything is gorgeous!!! Got a question for you. I see you used denim blue dye but after looking at it online it looks darker than your curtains. Im wanting a color like yours to go in my husbands office so did you not dye them as long as the directions call for? How did you get that light of a shade?
Please help! Thanks
Hey Ginger – the dye looks really dark, but it didn’t color my curtains that dark. Maybe it’s an absorbancy thing???
How did you mount the wooden brackets to the wall that the pole sits in
Hi Denise – the brackets have metal plates on the back, so I just attached with screws to the wall.
Where did you find wood dowels log enough for your window? I can’t seem to find any online that will be long enough for my window. My window is 104 inches long. Also where did you find your wood brackets for under $2? I would love to make these but my budget is super tight.
Hi Miranda! Brackets are from Home Depot – maybe show them the picture from my blog post? For the dowels, I put two together with a screw. Just be sure to have the seam between the two dowels land on top of a bracket and you should be good.