In this sewing tutorial, learn how to make these beautiful and super easy DIY gathered drop cloth curtains for under $40.
Do you guys remember at the beginning of the ‘farmhouse’ era how drop cloth was super in trend and everyone was using it for easy and affordable window treatments? Well, I guess I’m still hanging onto that trend because here I am making tutorials on how to sew DIY gathered drop cloth curtains.
Pros of Using Drop Cloth for Curtains
Honestly, I do love a charming printed curtain with pleats or ties, but let’s face it, drop cloth is far more affordable than linen or cotton fabrics. And it’s easier to find drop cloth big enough to cover a window from ceiling to floor versus a standard roll of fabric.
It’s also a nice neutral beige color than can be easily dyed or bleached making it mesh well with numerous home décor styles.
Running around $17 per panel, drop cloth is also far more affordable than custom, homemade, or store-bought curtains.
Supplies Needed to Sew DIY Gathered Drop Cloth Curtains
The supplies needed to sew these curtains are basic. This is a good beginner friendly sewing tutorial that yields a beautiful end result.
- Sewing Machine
- Matching Heavy Weight Thread
- Thicker Sewing Machine Needle
- Sewist’s Tape Measurer
- Slide Gauge Measuring Tool
- Fabric Marker
- Sewing Pins
- Dropcloth Panels
Seams with need to withstand the weight of the curtain hanging from the rod. You want to use a heavier weighted thread as well as a corresponding needle. You also might need a pair of sewing scissors if you plan on hemming these curtains.
Drop cloth comes in several different sizes, so make sure to measure your window before purchasing the drop cloth to make sure it will fit. Also, it is worth mentioning that some panels have seams running wither horizontally or vertically.
With that being said, when you buy your drop cloth, make sure to check that the seams are matching on each panel for beginning this project. You don’t want to have one panel with a seam running vertical while the other panel has a seam running horizontal.
Instructions for Sewing DIY Gathered Drop Cloth Curtains
To start, wash your drop cloth before beginning the sewing process. This will help to account for any shrinkage.
Next, flip your drop cloth over to the backside where the seams are rough. This is the side of the fabric that you will be folding over and pinning onto.
Pin a section of the dropcloth down onto the wrong side of the fabric 5 inches down. We are going to divide this into 2 and 3 inch sections. The 2 inch section will account for the gather up top and the 3 inch section will be the pocket the curtain rod goes through.
Next, with your fabric marker, mark a line two inches down from the top of the fold. Continue to mark 2 inches down along the whole top of the fabric.
With a straight stitch, sew a line all along the edge of where that top pocket is folded down. Sealing your pocket rod to the drop cloth.
Then move up to where you marked that line 2 inches down and sew along that line as well.
Hem is necessary according to the height of your window. And that is is!
Since drop cloth already has finished edges, you don’t have to worry about finishing them yourself. These truly are the easiest DIY curtains.
When you hang them up, remember to slide your curtain rod through the lowest pocket, leaving that 2 inch pocket empty on top. This is what created that beautiful gathered look.
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