Grain Sack Inspired Curtains
Guests are feeling exposed in our guest room without curtains. We live in the woods and elk are peeking in at them in their pj’s. This idea for grain sack inspired curtains is inexpensive and easy to make in a day.
We have two guest rooms upstairs. One is the adult room with one large bed, the other for kids with twin beds. I made rustic smocked drop cloth curtains for the adult room.
Now it’s time for the kid’s room. I bought 4 drop cloths for under $50. I cut off the sewn edges. Those sewn edges look like I sewed them!
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Steps to make Grain Sack Inspired Curtains
I cut three canvas drop cloths in half for the windows. The fourth is one piece for the shower curtain. I tossed them in the washer, then dried them.
Next, I neatened up the edges by pulling a thread to get a straight line to cut along. Then I frayed the edges. I did this on all four sides.
Then along the top edge of each curtain, I taped down one-inch painters tape at the frayed edge. I taped down another about 1/4 inch away. The next tape was about 1 inch down. Then the last 1/4 away. Make sure to press the tape down well. A back of a spoon makes this easy.
Almost black paint mix
Now I’m ready to paint the grain sack stripes. Using some leftover paint I mixed it with 2 parts of black latex paint with 1 part dark latex green. I love using this “almost” black paint. I buy it in quarts and mix it at home for furniture and projects.
Those small disposable paint rollers are perfect for this project. In some areas, the paint applies thicker and some lighter.
Actually, I rolled on the paint and didn’t but too much thought into it. Have fun!
Remove the tape as soon as the painting is done. Let dry.
Hanging the curtains
I hung the curtain using curtain rings with clips. I folded the grain sack inspired painting part down 14 inches. This is the shower curtain and bathroom window.
This is the other side of the shower curtain! Actually, I put up this photo because I adore the miniature furniture cabinets hanging on the wall. I got the idea from a client years ago. Fun for the kid’s bath.
This is the kid’s room with a very distressed little desk in the corner.
The window on the right is inset over a window seat.
I finished all the grain sack inspired curtains and shower curtain in a day. Woot! Woot!
It only took a day to make our outdoor drop cloth curtains too. Drop cloths make wonderful window coverings. In our laundry room, I made a drop cloth roman shades. A small thrift store chair has a red grain sack technique applied to the seat.
Plus they add softness to the room….and no more elk peeking!
Did you check out other drop cloth projects?
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Love these! How do you fray the edges?
Hi Heather, great question. Dropcloth is woven. When you look closely at the threads, some are going up and down they are woven with threads going across. To add fray, cut along a thread. The start pulling out threads, leaving the threads going up and down, those make the fray. Did that answer your question?
Hi, I’m wondering if you can tell me where you got your shower curtain rod from that’s in the picture above. Thank you!
Hi, Jacelyn. I believe it was bought at home depot. We bought it when we first moved into this house and we’ve lived here for over 14 years. It’s a black basic rod and I’m sure you could find one in Amazon too. Thank you for asking and following along. ~Jeanette
Good idea, i willtrythis for my kitchen. Thanks
Thank you for this curtain idea – I have been searching and searching for something for my kitchen windows –can’t wait to get started!
Thank you! Glad I was able to help. They will make great kitchen curtains.
What a great idea! I found drop cloths at Wal-Mart for a very reasonable price and thought they would make great rustic-style dining room curtains but I wasn’t sure how to make them work. Now you’ve inspired me! Thank you.
I was wondering how do you wash them? I love the look and will be making them for a spare bedroom.
Linda,
I washed and dried the drop cloths in my washer and dryer first. I also had cut off the sewn edges first, which when I removed them from the dryer the threads made a knotted up ball! 🙂 I used regular latex house paint. I figured my “work” clothes have house paint on them that will not come off, the paint on these curtains will not come off either. When I wash them again I will hang them to dry. That’s what I did to a table runner and it came out great. Thank you, and I’m sure they will look great in your spare bedroom too!
Very cute. A great easy project that a no sew type person like myself could easily do.
Thank you Kristi, I do love no sewing. Every time I take out the sewing machine it has a new layer of dust! 🙂
I really like these so much Jeanette! They are a perfect addition or your home. Thanks for sharing! Pinned 🙂
Meegan thank you!
Very nice!
Thank you so much Lisa!