Removable Drapes for Sliding Glass Door

When we moved into our current home, we had to wait for a few weeks for the mortgage to close.

During that time we wanted to cover the sliding glass door that led out to the patio.

Because we didn’t yet own the home, we could not attach anything to the house. So we came up with this idea for covering the windows in a way that was removable.

We liked the idea so well that we are still using it as the door covering.

This idea would work well for an apartment or rental, and is very inexpensive to do.

Supplies

1/2 inch PVC Pipe from Lowes

4 – 1/2 inch elbows – PVC pipe connectors

4 – 1/2 inch 3-way PVC pipe connectors

Thermal Drapes, ready made from Walmart – 2 panels, 54”x84” each

Instructions

1. Measure the size of the doorway opening, and divide it in half from side to side.

2. Using the PVC pipe, cut it to make a frame that will fit one half of the doorway.

Make a second frame the same size.

The 2 elbows will be at the top of the frame, and the 3-way connectors will be at the bottom corners for feet.

3. Open one side of the pipe frame at the top and slide a curtain panel onto it – making sure the ruffle is at the top. Reclose the pipe frame side.

Lay the frame and curtain on the floor with the wrong side up.

Fold the bottom of the curtain over the bottom PVC pipe to the back until it’s fairly snug, and pin in place.

Also pin just above the PVC pipe at the bottom where you will sew a casing. Make the casing just slightly bigger than the pipe so the curtain will slide on easily.

Remove the curtain panel from the pipe frame.

4. Stitch the new hem and the casing – leaving the ends open.

Slide the finished curtain panel back onto the pipe frame and it is finished.

5. Repeat with second panel.

We didn’t glue the connectors on as we wanted to be able to remove the curtain to wash or replace if we desired.

To use, place the panels in the door frame side by side. You can remove one or both of the frames to let light in during the day and replace them again at night.

These removable drapes for sliding glass door are perfect for now, or for regular use.

Tips

1. The stitching could be done by hand, or you could even use safety pins if you don’t want to sew it.

2. This frame could also be made to fit a window if you don’t want to attach drapery rods to the wall.

By Noreen Doll