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Drop Cloth Draperies for my Front Door

October 27, 2012 by Patti 40 Comments

The lack of privacy my front doors afford have always been a problem. When a visitor comes to the door they look directly into our living room. I don’t mind this if I’m fully dressed and ready to be seen, but when I’m just hanging out in my bathrobe and looking like something has made a nest in my hair, it can be quite embarrassing to look up to see someone peering in at me.

We used to have frosted glass, but when one of the windows was accidentally broken we realized we liked the view out that side of the house and chose to replace both doors with clear glass. For privacy we found some pull down accordian window coverings which seemed to be perfect . . . for awhile. However, after a few years of up and down, they didn’t seem to spring up quite as easily anymore, and with three dogs who like to nose them out of the way to peek outside, they didn’t hold up too well, as you can see.

When I started seeing full curtains over double doors in my Pottery Barn magazine I was inspired. I especially loved the look of their Fat-Tie Drape. What I didn’t love was that they were fairly light-weight cotton and that I would need four panels to cover my doors. That brought the cost to $300 without the hardware! Think, think, think . . . why not make my own? I found some wonderful fabrics online but when I thought about the work of sewing panels together and lining the draperies I thought there must be an easier, quicker and cheaper way. Lightbulb moment!!! Why not use painter’s drop cloths? So I started with two 6′ x 9′ drop cloths at a cost of $10.98 each (at Lowe’s) and went to work.

The 6′ widths would cover the doors nicely and the 9′ lengths were long enough to cut out strips to make the fat ties and also to make a valance. I knew these were going to look just as good as Pottery Barn’s but I decided to take an extra step. Since I like things kind of “fancy” I decided to use a stencil I had on hand to dress them up a bit.

Now stenciling can be tricky, especially on fabric, so to avoid “bleeding” I decided to stencil with a Sharpie pen. The bonus of this is that it is permanent ink so it won’t wash out!

I didn’t use a heavy hand on the Sharpie, as I wanted a little bit of a faded look, and I turned the pattern over each time I moved the stencil.  As you can see, I also decided to edge the valance with lines, some thick and some thin. No perfection here for sure.

So here you have it! What I like most about these drapes is that, due to the thickness of the material, no lining was needed. I also like the nice oatmeal color and how the fabric, when ironed, resembles linen. I would have loved to leave the drapes flowing across the floor but again, with three dogs, I would have been taking them down to wash away dog hair far too often. So I hemmed them after they were already hung in place. Sooo . . . easy.

Here are a few close ups of the “rustic” stenciling. After hanging them I decided they needed something more, so I took out my pen and added some quick dots across the top of the valance.

I chose oil rubbed bronze drapery hardware with simple clip rings, and some pretty crystal looking tie-backs (Lowe’s).

And here is the final view looking out my front door. The curtains frame the door nicely and actually make my entryway appear larger. I’m happiest about the price and I’ve already purchased more drop cloths for future projects! Now, where to find the time . . . ?

Blessings to you!

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Filed Under: Drop Cloth Projects, Home decorating, Pottery Barn knockoff

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Comments

  1. Sacred Heart Design says

    October 29, 2012 at 5:51 am

    These are AMAZING, Patti! Wow! You are one talented lady! ~Diane

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      November 1, 2012 at 11:16 pm

      Thank you Diane. You ooze talent yourself! Patti

      Reply
  2. Athena at Minervas Garden says

    November 1, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    What a gorgeous idea for using drop cloth for the door draperies–I love it. Thank you for visiting my blog, and glad you liked the antique ribbon lampshade!

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      November 1, 2012 at 11:17 pm

      Thank you for your comments Athena. Patti

      Reply
  3. Jeannine says

    November 1, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    They turned out fantastic!! I’ve got some drop cloth curtains myself I love how they look when they’re ironed, I just hate the ironing part! 🙂
    Great job!!!

    Jeannine @ The Concrete Cottage

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      November 1, 2012 at 11:18 pm

      Haha! I understand about the ironing part. This is exacly why I’ve invested in a steamer! Thank you for visiting and your nice comments. Patti

      Reply
  4. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    November 4, 2012 at 12:06 am

    Hi Patricia, Love, Love the drapes! The stenciling looks fabulous and so pretty. Thanks for linking to the Open House party.

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      November 5, 2012 at 4:20 pm

      Thank you so much Sherry. A compliment from you means a lot!

      Reply
  5. Elaine Louderback says

    November 6, 2012 at 1:54 am

    Oh I’m inspired! I need new curtains Something simple and love that 10.98 price!

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      November 10, 2012 at 1:42 am

      I love decorating “on the cheap”. Thanks for commenting Elaine.

      Reply
  6. Maria Elena says

    November 8, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    You have done a fabulous job! I love, love your drapes! They look just beautiful! I am a huge fan of drop cloth and stencils, so I am really admiring your project! Very well done!

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      November 10, 2012 at 1:43 am

      Thanks for your comments. I think drop cloths may become my new favorite thing to play with. So glad to have you as a follower Maria. Patti

      Reply
  7. Maria Elena says

    November 8, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    Forgot to say, I am your new follower.

    Reply
  8. MyJourneyBack says

    November 8, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    Very nice. I have seen these before. Yours are great and great tips. Lowe’s is on my list of places I need to shop. I have been wanting to do these kind of drapes. Hopefully soon. Thanks for sharing.
    Have a great day,
    Sherry

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      November 10, 2012 at 1:46 am

      Thanks for the kind comments Sherry. I appreciate it so much. Richest blessings to you 🙂 Patti

      Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    November 9, 2012 at 1:49 am

    Drop cloths make great upholestry fabric as well…and great floor clothes…..try it! Sel from 1310#att.net

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      November 10, 2012 at 1:43 am

      I intend to try it indeed! I have some old benches I’m eyeing :)Patti

      Reply
  10. Cheryl says

    November 13, 2012 at 2:36 am

    Love your drapes. I especially like how you did the valance. I have to go back up and reread if you detailed how you did that. I know yous stenciled them, but I like the way you tied them. Very unique.

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      November 13, 2012 at 4:46 am

      Cheryl – Thank you so much. I didn’t do a step-by-step tutorial but I think you can see from the pics that the valance was just a straight piece that I stenciled and hemmed with fusible web tape and my iron. The bows were strips of fabric that I folded in half lengthwise, sewed together and turned inside out before tying the knot. I think they would also look nice without hemming. Drop cloth material has a great frayed look when it goes through the washer but doesn’t continue to fray like some other fabrics. I hope that is helpful to you. Patti

      Reply
  11. Stacey says

    November 27, 2012 at 2:56 am

    Very pretty – nice touch
    Thanks for linking up this week!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      December 1, 2012 at 3:09 pm

      Thank you Stacey. So happy I found your party! Patti

      Reply
  12. lisa_d says

    November 28, 2012 at 5:35 am

    You did a super job putting those gorgeous curtains. I really love it! 🙂

    house for sale philippines

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      December 1, 2012 at 3:09 pm

      Thanks Lisa.

      Reply
  13. Tracy says

    December 14, 2012 at 12:35 am

    Those are fantastic! So clever using a Sharpie! I’m such a “non-sewer” and hope I can try my hand a making some, too.

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      December 29, 2012 at 5:16 pm

      Thank you Tracy for the compliment. I really didn’t sew anything on these drapes. I “hemmed” them with iron-on fused webbing fabric and used clips to hang them. So easy. I do hope you’ll try it. Patti

      Reply
  14. Marla Hinds says

    December 27, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    I think the stenciling you did was harder to work on than installing the curtains on your door. Anyway, I think you did a good job using clear glass for your entry door. It somehow connects the outside to your house. And it’s just fun redecorating doors, especially if you often invite visitors into your house!

    Marla Hinds

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      December 29, 2012 at 5:13 pm

      Thank you Marla. The stenciling was really quite easy with my Sharpie pen and the clear glass entry was an accident! When one of our frosted glass door was broken and the view revealed, we decided to go with the clear glass. I’m so glad you stopped by my blog. Patti

      Reply
  15. Vernie Herr says

    December 28, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    You have such a wide door! I would love to have a wide door at home, but it just wouldn’t fit our house. Well, I think having draperies would definitely provide more privacy in your home. Plus, it will make your living room much more stylish.

    Reply
    • Patricia Krank says

      December 29, 2012 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your kind comments. Patti

      Reply
  16. MONICA LIVAS says

    February 22, 2013 at 1:02 am

    WOW! This is wonderful!

    Reply
  17. Anonymous says

    February 23, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    Having read this I thought it was very informative.

    I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together.
    I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting.
    But so what, it was still worth it!

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    Reply
  18. Mary says

    March 19, 2013 at 5:21 pm

    Brilliant idea, Patricia! I shared this with my sister who had the same problem about lack of privacy with her glass doors, and she wishes she’s creative and talented as you, so she could come up with what to do with her archway glass door.

    Mary Martin

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    June 4, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    love the stenciling! And I’d (maybe) have glass front doors if my front view was as gorgeous as yours!!
    Question: Are you using both clips AND the fat ties?

    Reply
    • Patti@OldThingsNew says

      June 5, 2013 at 3:31 pm

      Thank you! Yes, I am using both clips and fat ties.

      Reply
  20. Marietta says

    June 30, 2013 at 4:04 am

    Wow! I am so impressed with your stenciled drapes, and your cottage re-do.

    Reply
  21. Kathy says

    December 26, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    ELEGANT! I have been wanting to do this too with our French doors in the dining room – So open to the public….I love what you did – they do look perfect! Pinning and saving – will let you know if I do this and will surely credit you.
    Blessings,
    Kathy

    Reply
  22. Karyn says

    February 26, 2015 at 1:19 am

    love these. Are the bows attached to the curtains. Do the glide easily when opening and closing the curtains. Thank you.

    Reply
  23. Renee says

    August 7, 2015 at 8:35 am

    Finishing a linen and lace nursery for my granddaughter and love these drapes, but I have a few questions. How wide are your finished tabs? Are they sewn to the valance or just attached to the rod as a decorative enhancement? It looks like you used 8 tabs per 6′ drop cloth, is that correct? Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.

    Reply
  24. Janine says

    December 31, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    These are by far the most stunning drop cloth window treatments I’ve seen! So elegant & I can’t wait to make them for my quadruple pocket sliding glass doors in my great room. I’ve been looking for a solution for 3 yrs now for a way to dress up this 8′ x 16′ “wall of windows” w/o spending thousands of $ for custom made ones. I’m thrilled to have found your post!! These are exactly what I’ve been looking for & will be a perfect match w/ the all the iron scroll decor in the room!
    I too would like to know the size of the ties & how you attached them. Also, can you please tell me exactly what kind of rods you used to hang everything? Is it a double rod? Or 2 separate ones? Any additional info you can give would be greatly appreciated so I can get started right away!

    Reply

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  1. A Dropcloth Slipcover for an Old Bench - Old Things New says:
    October 1, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    […] using drop cloth fabric for projects around my home.  My first experience with this fabric was my Drop Cloth Draperies which have been one of my top viewed projects.  I’ve also made pillows, and hand bags (which […]

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OldThingsNew

I am Perfectly Imperfect Patti, daughter of the King, wife to the amazing Mr. OTN, mom to two grown daughters, a great son-in-law, and companion to two spoiled dogs. At Old Things New I share DIY’s, budget friendly home transformations, as well as posts about how God transforms our souls. I myself have been made new and I love to share what I’ve learned through WRITING and SPEAKING. To view a short Vimeo of “Our Story” (Mr. OTN and I) please follow the link at the top of the page.

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