DIY drop cloth curtains are super easy to make, but what about getting them hung over your window? What about the hardware to hang them with? What color hardware should I use? What size hardware do I need? How do I style them? Do you make pleats or not? These are the questions I received after my recent post on making drop cloth curtains, so I thought I’d answer these questions here.
* As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases and through other companies as well. You are not charged extra to use any of the links, but any income I make helps me create more amazing DIY projects to share with you! To see my full disclaimer, click here!
How To Hang Drop Cloth Curtains With Clips
I have to say that these clips are everything when it comes to hanging your drop cloth curtains—no sewing required and minimal effort. Just clip and go. That’s my kind of DIY.
Curtain Ring Clips – What Color Or Size Do I Chose?
Do your homework before you make your DIY drop cloth curtains. You will need to choose a color or finish and the clip size to hang them from. There are many options to choose from, but here are some of the ones I like to help you decide on.
- Curtain Rings with clips 1.4 inches (black)
- Curtain Rings with clips 1.26 inches (matte silver)
- Curtain Ring with clips 1.18 inches (bronze)
- Curtain Rings with clips 1.5 inches (gold)
What Size Curtain Rings Clips Should I Use?
The curtain ring clip’s size will depend on the curtain rod that you choose or already have. You want to ensure that the rings are large enough to slide freely on the rod, so get them a little bigger than the rod.
What Style Should I Use To Hang Drop Cloth Curtains?
How you style your DIY drop cloth curtain should be a reflection of your style. Do you lean more toward the modern side or love the farmhouse vibe? Here are a few simple examples to help you choose.
Should I make Pleats Or Not? If so, how?
Style #1 Casual
Great question! That depends on the look you’re going for. You might choose this simple, carefree method without pleats for a casual look. This look is popular with farmhouse style, and the amount of hang depends on the spacing of the clips. I used 7 clips for each 6X9 panel for this look. Try using 5 clips if you want the top of the drop cloth curtains to have a larger hang between clips.
Be sure to space the ring clips for an equally uniform look. This is easily done by measuring the width of the drop cloth panel and finding the center. Place your first clip on the center, and then work your way out the ends. Fold back the end pieces before attaching the ring clip for a clean look.
Style #2 Elegant Pleats
Making pleats on your drop cloth curtains is super easy and doesn’t require a sewing machine. It’s all in the ring clip, baby. Here’s an example of how-to pleat drop cloth curtains with ring clips.
You could always choose to iron the pleats for a crisp look, but I prefer the organic, all-natural look. Hello! It is a drop cloth. 🙂
Style #3 Traditional Valance
And lastly, if you’re a traditional valance lover… try this method of folding over the top part of your drop cloth curtain 12-14 inches for an instant valance. Because it’s folded over (double fabric), you won’t be able to add pleats to this style using ring clips. I personally see no need for it. It looks lovely as is, and it hangs nicely. I really like this style.
My Style
I’m very pleased with how these DIY drop cloth curtains look in my office. Airy and bright, I get lots of natural light filling my space. The curtain ring clips are a game-changer!
Thanks for joining me today, and I hope this has answered any questions you may have had on hanging drop cloth curtains with clips. I’d love to hear your feedback on these methods, and if you have suggestions for more no sew methods, please share them in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you. 🙂
Until the next project… xo, Do
Is this the cloth you bleached? It looks whiter than I would have expected. Very pretty.
Hi Soja! Thank you. It is, and I’ll be sharing how I bleached them in next week’s newsletter. 🙂
What brand of drop cloth and where did you get them? I see all sorts of fabric on drop cloths.
Hi Karen,
I have found that not all brands are made the same. Here’s a post I wrote about making them with a picture of the ones I use. https://dododsondesigns.com/diy-drop-cloth-curtains/ I get mine from Walmart. 🙂
Do, I love these! Inexpensive and so easy to do that I feel a drop cloth purchase coming on!! Thanks for sharing and I’ll be watching for the bleaching advice!
Hi Karolyn! So glad you liked them. Bleach or no bleach, both are beautiful. xo 🙂
I love the curtains. I’m wondering if they would be to much with the curtain you first made that hung folded over a larger ring hanging from a medal design attached to the wall.
Those are the ones I did and am now wanting a window covering that will match. What do you think?
Hi Sandie, Hmmmmm, I’m not sure I would like that look. I use blinds for privacy. Hang a sheet up to see how it will look before making the curtains. It will give you a visual and you can decide if you like it.
Is the puddled look in or out? Thanx
Hi Barbara,
In or out, I do what I love as a stylist. However, I follow trends for inspiration, and I’m still seeing the puddling of curtains to be on-trend. Great question. Have a nice day. 🙂 xo
I have read these shrink terrible when washed, are there some that do not? thanks
Hello Heidi,
I don’t know of a drop cloth that isn’t made from cotton, and cotton always shrinks after laundering. I recommend washing and drying them twice before using them for projects. Doing this will minimize the shrinkage of the fabric when you launder it later. I hope this helps. 🙂 xo
Where can you get the clips for the curtains? I love your site. So many get ideas. Thank you!!!!
Hello Inga!
Thank you. 🙂 I’m glad you found me. I love to share with other like-minded creatives.
You can find the links in this post that will take you to Amazon for the exact clips that I used.
Have a lovely day. xo
Love these tips Do! The idea with a valance is so pretty! Pinned 🥰
Hello, my friend! Always good to hear from you. Have a fantastic weekend. 🙂 xo
Have you come across a drop cloth with a grey tint to it? I’m wanting mine to pull towards the greys.
Hi Kaci, I have not. But what about fabric dye? I’m sure that’s possible. Gosh, I never thought about that. Maybe I should try it. Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful weekend. 🙂 xo
I saw you mention dye and I have seen a method for using chalk paint (mixed in a water bath) to color fabric. It gives a rich, deeply pigmented hue to the curtains. Just if you feel like experimenting 🙂
Ohhhhhh… that sounds like a great idea, Jennifer. I’m sure it would work. Thank you so much for sharing with my blog readers and me. Good stuff! 🙂 xo
Thanks for the great advice on how to use the clips in several ways. I honestly love them all. I love grommet curtains for their pure ease in opening and closing your curtains. These clips give you the same practical use with a whole new look, that I love!
Exactly my thought when I found them, Jodie. I’m so happy this post was helpful to you. Happy New Year! 🙂
These look beautiful. You have great taste and creativity. Just wondering about what you wrote on choosing the right size rings. You wrote “You want to make sure that the rings are large enough to slide freely on the rod, so get them a little bigger than the ring.” Did you mean to say get them a little bigger than the rod? I am terrible with directions, so not sure if this is a typo or if just not getting it. Also at the end when you are asking for more sew method projects, did you mean “NO-Sew”?
Christina
Hi Christina!
Oh, my goodness. Those were typos. The rings should be bigger than the rod, so they slide easily. And that last statement was about no sew curtains. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I hope this helps.
Thanks for reading, and I wish you all the best with your curtain project.
xo, DO 🙂