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The curtains are hung.  I ended up using painter’s drop cloths for the curtains.  I love the natural organic look of them and they have little flecks of darker brown in them.  They turned out just the way I envisioned and created the look I wanted for the room.
I started out by purchasing a 9′ x 12′ heavy duty drop cloth that I found at Menards for $12. I was able to use one drop cloth to do two windows (4 panels).   Each panel is about 90″ x 33″.  If I would have purchased material for this project I would have needed a total of 15 yards.  Even at a super deal of $5 a yard for home dec fabric that would have cost me $75 at least.  The 6 panels and 3 windows cost me $18.

I got the rods on sale at Joann Fabrics for $12 each.  They are a black “wrought iron”.  I really love the shape of the finials.

So all in all it was about $54 with leftover fabric for another project. That is a pretty sweet deal for window treatments. I have seen a few bloggers use those cafe clips and just clip them on. Although it would have been easier it would have added at least $30 to this project. So I had to sew them the old fashioned way in order to stay within my budget.

However, they turned out perfect and were the right size and the right price.

And if you ask me they don’t look that much different from Ballard Designs Cotton Twill Curtains in Khaki…

Here are some other pictures of painter cloth inspiration for you…
The Lettered Cottage
Amongst the Oaks
Reinvented
A Penny Saved
Susie Harris

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32 Comments

  1. I think they look great! Were they hard to make? I'm thinking about making some curtains but SO scared too. Found fabricguru.com and they have some great prices on beautiful fabric. Thanks for sharing!
    Michelle

  2. LOVE them!!! 🙂 I'm thinking about doing the same thing in my Family room. 🙂

  3. I am loving my chairs I reappholstered in drop cloth in November. I washed them then used them as apholstry fabric. One of my boys got chocolate on one, and I quickly wiped it right off, but there is no damage because of the texture and color in the fabric. I may look closer at my windows to see if they want to be clothed in Canvas too!

  4. No way – you used those cloths that are used for covering up when painting??? Truly an inspired and cost-effective idea! They have turned out fabulous! Well done!

  5. Wow, that lloks great. I just saw some drop cloths at DD's Discount for $3 I may go grab them and hang on to them. My living room curtains cost me $150

  6. I've seen drop cloth curtains a few places recently and really like them. Thanks for including the price and how far you made each one go 🙂 That's important!! 🙂
    I Love how they look!

  7. Wish I had seen this or thought of it a few weeks ago when I bought some new curtains! Ours are a shade darker but that would have worked great. Next time!

  8. I can't believe how many panels you were able to make with one drop cloth. Thanks for including all of the details. They look fantastic.

  9. Wow Becky! I will definitely keep this in mind for future windows!! 🙂 Fantastic!

  10. I think dropcloths are becoming the 'chalkboard paint' of 2010! I've been wanting to make some for my patio & spa area. 'Course I want to paint some green stripes for a 'cabana' feel, but that just delays the project. This spring I'm just gonna hang 'em!
    Your room looks great w/them. I love that you're showing us each project!

  11. I think dropcloths are becoming the 'chalkboard paint' of 2010! I've been wanting to make some for my patio & spa area. 'Course I want to paint some green stripes for a 'cabana' feel, but that just delays the project. This spring I'm just gonna hang 'em!
    Your room looks great w/them. I love that you're showing us each project!

  12. I think dropcloths are becoming the 'chalkboard paint' of 2010! I've been wanting to make some for my patio & spa area. 'Course I want to paint some green stripes for a 'cabana' feel, but that just delays the project. This spring I'm just gonna hang 'em!
    Your room looks great w/them. I love that you're showing us each project!

  13. I think dropcloths are becoming the 'chalkboard paint' of 2010! I've been wanting to make some for my patio & spa area. 'Course I want to paint some green stripes for a 'cabana' feel, but that just delays the project. This spring I'm just gonna hang 'em!
    Your room looks great w/them. I love that you're showing us each project!

  14. those look great! I wish I could hang curtains but my landlord put up these blinds that make it impossible, and they are the same color of the white walls, next place I'm saying fuck the security deposit

  15. These are great. I am sure the weight of the fabric drapes nicely. I am hosting my first ever linky party and would love for you to join in.

  16. Brilliant! This project is perfect for my french doors. I don't think I'll miss looking out at the neighbor's back yard from my dining room table

  17. Ok…two things.

    1. Love this idea! My current curtains cost me close to $300. I don't want to do that again now that I am redecorating my front room. So do you think this would dye well? Anyone?

    2. My husband…is a "Doubting Thomas", and says his drop clothes have stuff stamped/scribbled on them! That would not be so great.

  18. $3oo!? Yes you must try this. They are gorgeous and yes I think they would dye well. The material is all cotton so I don't see why not. tell doubting Thomas not to knock it till he tries it.

  19. Brilliant! I hope the manufacturers don't catch on and raise the price on us! ha ha! I have a bench I could recover… or make a cover for! clever! clever! Just another number in your google connect now! ha ha!
    Just Jenn~
    visiting from Amandas!

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