Weights for outdoor drapes

Question

I have made some drapery for our deck since we face west. The material is canvas drop cloth, so it is light enough, that when the wind blows, it just billows! Any ideas for 'decorative' weights  that I can put on the outside bottom hem without having to totally re-hem both drapes do put them on the inside?

Donna Makowski · Answer

How about adding several large washers to the bottom edge in a decorative manner. To look like a series of OOOOO?

Bobby · Answer

You might try weights used for fishing - there is a large selection - some could be decorative.

Susann Schlander Vinson · Answer

Colorful clips, some have magnets which make them heavy. The clips that keep the picnic tablecloth in place. Depends on how close to the ground curtains hang

CAROLYN CURTIS · Answer

undo the hem at both sides at the bottom and put a curtain rod threw it and then put the ends back on the rod...Mine has knobs that tread on..decorative rods

Debbie · Answer

A friend threaded a heavy chain through the bottom hem. Just open up the hem on one side, slip the chain in and whip stich the end closed. The chain pools nicely when curtain is gathered at the post and hangs nicely when the curtain is pulled closed.

Donna Makowski · Answer

actually I was thinking of large round flat washers.

Swan Road Designs · Answer

Since it's outside, why not use Donna Makowski's suggestion and use weatherproof/outside clear silicone and glue sea shells onto the large washers.

Lisa · Answer

I like the chain idea. Another idea is to sew large pebble-style rocks along the bottom at 2-4 inch intervals. Or marbles, seashells, etc. Possibilities are endless!

Deborah Sanders · Answer

We pulled heavy chain through the bottom.  Works awesome.

Suzanne Lee · Answer

Some company actually makes a fabricators with weights inside just for weighing down drapes. Should be able to hooking safety pin to the end and pull through the hem.

Suzanne Lee · Answer

Fabric sleeve

Darlene dynka · Answer

I saw where a pipe was put through the hem

Hope Williams · Answer

You can always add ordinary washers.  You can tac sew, E6000 glue or cut opening and slide them in the hem.  If you put on the outside, you can paint them first.

Denise McLeod · Answer

Or just use stainless steel washers....they don't rust ;)

Marci · Answer

You can sew heavy fishing weight in the hem

June Lovell- Paul · Answer

Glue on pennies

Karen Sheilds · Answer

I saw a different post where they added grommets to the bottom hem then threaded cords through the grommets which they then staked directly to the ground. It's not a permanent solution so you still have the option of moving the drapes when you want to, or bringing the drapes inside during the winter months. I can see that your drapes are actually over the deck not the ground so perhaps you could screw a few low profile eye-bolts into the deck to tread the cords through to secure the drapes instead staking.

Gail · Answer

Looks like you have enough room in the hem to add a couple fatter dowel rods, just thread them thru the hem.

Suzan · Answer

So many options.  Have not read previous, apologies for redundancy.  Length or extended of fabric.  Rebar, quarter round,  bamboo,  etc.  Fun project.

Marianne · Answer

Can you string some washers on a length of fishing line and then thread it through the bottom hem allowance?

Jill · Answer

I ran some chain through the bottom hem. It works fairly well.

Sheila Gauvin · Answer

If you are looking for quick and easy, what about using those cute little weights for putting on the bottom of a tablecloth to stop them from blowing up? They come in a wide variety of designs, colors and prices and usually just clip on. And they are sold almost every where---Michaels, WalMart, Dollar Store, and most hardware stores.

Z · Answer

I love the idea of running chain through the hem. What about attaching some clear with white cord Christmas lights to the chain before doing so for a little bit of light at night?

Kris · Answer

How about using a beaded ribbon from a fabric store. You could sew or glue it on. It would be decorative, too.

Laurie · Answer

I have used round button magnets for this very thing. I get them at the hardware store... one magnet on each side down at the hem. Use as many as you need for the weight of your curtains.

Janet · Answer

Fishing weights, pennies, pebbles.

Kat2099649 · Answer

You just open the bottom and thread chain in the bottom like you do a wast band  then close the ends

Barb · Answer

Depending if you don't need to walking through that area try running medal wire and eye hooks at each end, or wooden dowl, if all else fails try the chains they will cut the length at and hardware store for you

Joy · Answer

We get a very strong west wind that will cause the drapes to knock over the patio furniture and blow straight into the porch. There’s been some really great ideas, but some would be ineffective against the wind.

I really like the idea of strong chain!

Chr49185184 · Answer

I thought about this for a while and realized that those draft sand stoppers for the door work great and thread nicely inside the hem if you get the skinnier one. They are easy to put in and pretty reasonable. I paid $4.99 for a 5 foot one and I needed 4. It works and it's neat. So worth it!

Weights for outdoor drapes

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Weights for outdoor drapes

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