I have wanted curtains for the back porch for years now. But The ceiling is quite tall and would take a lot of fabric or be really expensive for ready made outdoor curtains for the porch. I love the PB ones but at $80-149 a panel it’s a little steep for outdoors. I was shopping at Target one day last week and went down the shower curtain aisle. You see where this is going? Yep! A lightbulb went off, why not use two shower curtains sewn together to make the panel for the porch!
I got the equivalent of four yards of fabric (hemmed) for $36! I figured this fabric would be perfect for curtains since it’s made for the shower. My curtains are hung about 9 1/2 feet from the ground so by sewing two together I get my long panel with a little left over to make some pillows. If you need the length like I did. Sew the panels right sides together at the bottom of both curtains (the narrow hemmed end without the holes for the rings). Then cut if necessary and sew a simple hem at the bottom. I loved using shower curtains, very little sewing involved! If you ceiling is not quite as tall you might not have to sew anything at all! No sewing machine? No problem, get yourself some fusible tape to attach or hem if needed. All you need is an iron!
I figured this fabric would be perfect for curtains since it’s made for the shower. My curtains are hung about 9 1/2 feet from the ground so by sewing two together I get my long panel with a little left over to make some pillows. If you need the length like I did. Sew the panels right sides together at the bottom of both curtains (the narrow hemmed end without the holes for the rings). Then cut if necessary and sew a simple hem at the bottom. I loved using shower curtains, very little sewing involved! If you ceiling is not quite as tall you might not have to sew anything at all! No sewing machine? No problem, get yourself some fusible tape to attach or hem if needed. All you need is an iron!
The shower curtains are 6′ x 6′. In my case I needed two. The nice thing about these is the width. The traditional panels are only 50″ wide so these are considerably wider.
You’ll need galvanized pipe. I used 1/2″ pipe, two elbows and two 1/2″ flanges. I opted to paint mine white since all the trim on the porch is white. I love the galvanized look but here I thought blending in would be better. The guy in plumping cut the pipe and threaded the one cut end. Simple. Cost was just $13 for the 9′ 5″ pipe. The elbows were under $2 each. The flange is where they get you, those were $10/each but this setup will last forever. For now, I bought really inexpensive rings for just $2. Total coming in at just under $90 for a 10′ x 6′ panel to help block the afternoon sun and make the porch more usable during the afternoon hours.
This one of my all time favorite projects, it totally transforms the porch into a room! The curtains are really pretty too, they look like a linen and the white design goes so nicely with the white trim. What’ s your favorite outdoor project?
Linking to: Home Stories A to Z, Sugar Bee Crafts, Teach Me Tuesday, Yesterfood, Southern Savvy Style, The Blissful Bee, Cherished Bliss
Pretty curtains indeed.
The room feels more complete and cosy now. :)
Love Love this pattern. Where did you get the shower curtains?
They are from Target! Glad you like them!
Is your porch screened in or are those glass panels? I just did this to my porch with a dark brown fabric shower curtain liner 84″ with a sheer crinkle taupe curtain on top. I was hoping to keep the rain out more. I used bronze shower tension rods to hang these. I only did one side of the patio. I want to see how the fabric holds up to the sun. I just hate going around to cover everything up individually when it rains. How have your fabric liners held up to the sun so far? I suppose if I had to replace them yearly, $20 does not break the bank… (I bought 2 fabric liners for one side of my patio)
They have held up great. i didn’t even take them down over the winter! The porch is screened. Thanks for visiting!
Love your curtains! I too, just used a pretty shower curtain (white background with different shades of large blue paisley) and made pillow shams and a valance for the Guest bedroom. I bought two shower curtains (Homegoods) one for the bathroom and the other for my bedroom projects. It was so simple to make and now I’m ready to make curtains for the screened balcony. Thanks for telling us how to hang them. New to your site and already loving it!
Thank you Ellie! Your projects sound wonderful! I love finding something and making it into something else!!
Susan, what a great idea! We might borrow it, and you’re right, fabric is soo expensive! Love how yours turned out!
Hi Florence! Thank you! I hope you try it!! Have a great weekend!
Love this project! Do the curtains keep the rain and pollen off of your screen porch?
I don’t close them often bu I’m sure if you weighted them at the bottom and closed them they might help!
I ALWAYS USED SHEETS FOR PROJECTS WHERE I NEEDED LOTS OF FABRIC. UNFORTUNATELY SHEETS HAVE BECOME VERY EXPENSIVE. GREAT IDEA AND LOVE YOUR SITE. JUST SAW IT FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU. I WILL NOW BECOME A REGULAR.
So glad you found me!
Love this DIY project…doing it for my daughter’s apt!