Drop Cloth Curtains- Easy, DIY, No Sewing!

Drop cloth curtains are an inexpensive way to create window treatments that look like custom draperies but do not require a sewing machine! 

Along the back wall of our kitchen nook, we have 2 sets of double windows that face west. So, every afternoon around 4pm, the sun sets directly into our house and heats up the living room several degrees.  Because of this, curtains are absolutely necessary to block the sun and keep the heat out, even though we have blinds over the windows.

However, I have tried several different curtain options on these windows, all of which I HATED. The windows are an awkward size and too big for the traditional 96-108″ pre-made curtains sold in stores.  Additionally, having custom drapes made would be way too expensive!!

FINALLY I found something that worked perfectly and was very inexpensive!  Not to mention, they were super easy to install! I haven’t been this excited about window treatments ever in my life!!!!!!!!!!!  I owe it all to my friend Bridget.  She showed me how to make the BEST looking and cheapest curtains I have ever owned, out of painters drop cloth from Home Depot!

Before I share with you the step-by-step tutorial on how to make drop cloth curtains, I want to answer some questions about drop cloth material.

The Top 5 Most FAQ’s About Drop Cloth…

1. WHAT IS DROP CLOTH?

Drop cloth is the fabric used primarily by painters and construction workers to protect an area, such as a floor, from paint splatter or unwanted materials that may fall from an area during a home improvement project.  Drop cloth is known for it’s durability because it’s made out of a thick canvas-like material.

2. WHAT KIND OF FABRIC IS DROP CLOTH?

Canvas drop cloth is made out of 100% cotton duck material.

3. IS A DROP CLOTH WASHABLE?

Yes! Drop cloth is washable and should be washed before used in a sewing project.  However, drop cloth has a tendency to shrink when washed.  Therefore, I did not wash my drop cloth panels before making them into curtains.  Also, I did not use a sewing machine so washing them was not necessary.  In addition, most drop cloths have a pre-sewn hem so you shouldn’t have to worry about fraying if you choose to wash them.

4. IS DROP CLOTH WATERPROOF?

Drop cloth is not waterproof.  A competent painter or plasterer is concerned about spatters and drops, not spills. Canvas is not waterproof but should provide adequate protection against drops.

5. HOW DO YOU SOFTEN A DROP CLOTH?

You can prepare your drop cloth for upholstery in 3 steps:

MATERIALS

• drop cloth panels (I purchased 4 because I had 2 sets of windows that needed 2 panels each)
• scissors
• hot glue gun
• hot glue sticks
• curtain clips
• curtain rod
• tape measure
• ladder

PREP WORK

• Install your curtain rod at the correct height over the window where you want your curtains to hang
• hang the curtain clips on the rod
• remove the drop cloth material from its packaging and spread it out on the floor like a sheet (do this 1 panel at a time)
• plug in your hot glue gun and let it warm up

STEPS FOR HANGING DROP CLOTH CURTAINS

• Step 1 –  Create the folds.

  • While on your ladder nearest the curtain rod, create the first fold with your hand (see pictures below) using material from the top left hand side of your fabric. Each fold should be about 2 1/2 inches deep.
  • Hold the first fold in your left hand and create another fold in your right hand

• Step 2- Attach to the clips.

  • Gather the 2 folds together and secure them with a curtain clip at the top.  This will make 1 pleat. 

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for all panels until you have all of your panels completed and hanging from your windows. (*Sidenote- this would be the appropriate time to take a step back, admire your beautiful work, and jump for joy! Clapping is acceptable too)

HOW TO CREATE THE BOTTOM HEM

• Step 1 -Cut the hem.

  • Now that all of your panels are hanging from your curtain rod, measure and mark where you want your hem to go.  I chose to cut my panels so that the hem would sit flush with the floor.  (see picture below) Another option would be to leave a little extra length at the bottom to make a “puddle” look with your hem.  This is a personal preference.
  • Cut off the remaining length of the panel in a straight line across the bottom of the fabric, leaving a minimum of 1 extra inch for folding a hem.  You may choose to make a larger hem than just 1 inch, but 1 inch is all that is necessary.

• Step 2- Administer the hot glue.

  • After the remaining fabric has been removed, administer a line of hot glue straight across the bottom of your fabric to create a fold-over hem.  You may do this in sections if you find that your hot glue dries quickly.

• Step 3- Fold to create a hem.

  • Fold up the bottom of the panel with the glue on it and press it to the fabric 1 inch above to make a hem.  As mentioned before, I suggest using a minimum of 1 inch for the hem but you can make it larger if you wish. (see below)

Repeat steps 1-3 for creating the hem on all of your panels until every curtain panel is finished and hanging with a hem!  More clapping is appropriate after these steps are completed as well!

EXTRA TIPS AND THINGS TO KNOW

• When I first took the drop cloth panels out of the package, they were very stiff and a little wrinkly, but after I got them hanging up on the clips, the wrinkles started to straighten out. It took a few weeks of them hanging up before all of the wrinkles went away. To expedite this process you could iron them but be careful as they do come with a flammable warning sticker.
• Lowe’s and Home Depot have different brands of drop cloth.  The ones I purchased for our kitchen nook are from Home Depot and the ones I purchased for our dining room are from Lowe’s.  I have found that the ones from Home Depot are stiffer and have more structure than the one’s from Lowe’s.  So, if you want a more relaxed look, I would go with the ones from Lowe’s.  However, if you want a more tailored, custom look, I would purchase the ones from Home Depot.  You can’t go wrong either way!
• Drop cloth curtains are paintable!  You can add any design to them using stencils and fabric paint!  The sky is literally the limit with them!

I can’t tell you how many people ask me when they come over, “where did you find curtains that long?” and “did you have those custom made for the extra length?”  It’s always funny to see the look on their face when I tell them they are made from drop cloth material from Home Depot for $30 a panel.

Well that’s all for today! I hope you found this tutorial useful!

If you make drop cloth curtains for yourself, send me a picture on Instagram or post them and tag me so I can share!