DIY Curtain Rods and Upgraded Thrift Store Curtains

These curtains have casings and I wanted to get the pleated look without the pleat. I also didn't want to spend a lot of money on curtain rods that are kind of flimsy. By using galvanized electrical conduit, you get a sturdy rod for a few dollars!

Materials and tools needed for curtains:

Thrift store curtains

sturdy light weight fabric

thread color matching curtain panel

sewing machine

yard stick

scissors

pins

Materials and tools needed for curtain rod:

10 ft length of galvanized 1/2 inch electrical conduit

1 1/4 inch dowel

1/2 inch dowel

scrap of stick on craft foam

spray paint

gorilla blue

2 molly bolts

2- 1/2 inch curtain brackets

pipe cutter

chop saw

measuring tape

screw driver

Begin by cutting a strip of fabric 2 inches wide.

Begin at one end of fabric strip and fold over each edge to the center.

Then fold in half. 

Stitch 1/8 inch from edge down the length of the strip.

This will be used for making loops for the rod to go thru.

Measure casing and add 1 inch.  Cut lengths of the loop strip you just sewed.

Measure width of curtain panel and divide by 5 or 6 inches (this will be the width of the pleat). You will need to adjust the pleat width depending on the width of the panel.

Mark loop placements with pins.

Sew a loop to the casing at the top and bottom of the loop after folding ends under.

Continue sewing loops along the entire panel. Complete the matching panel in the same way.

For curtain rod, measure window and add 4-6 inches on each side. You may want to add more depending on how thick your curtain is and how much it will bunch up on rod.

Mark the conduit with a permanent marker and cut the length with the pipe cutter.

Make finials by cutting 2 pieces of 1 1/4 dowel for finials beween 5/8 inch to 3/4 inch and sand cut edges slightly.  Cut 2 pieces of 1/2 inch dowel 1 1/2 inch long. Use gorilla glue to attach the dowels together.  When dry, spray paint the finials and the conduit.

Cut a strip of craft foam and stick to the 1/2 dowel so it will be snug inside the conduit.

Thread the loops on the rod and place the other finial on the end.

Arrange pleats.

Attach rod brackets with molly bolts.  I only used 1 anchor per bracket because I only wanted one hole in the wall per end. I got these heavier brackets at Home Depot.

You did it!  Beautiful!