DIY Patio Curtain Tie Backs: How to make patio curtain ties for your patio, affordably and easily!

If you’ve been following along on my Facebook page or Instagram, you’ve probably noticed the talk about my new DIY Patio Curtain Tie-Backs that I’ve hinted around about. You know me, and when I find a good thing, I can’t keep it to myself. So this time it was no different, and I have been keeping you updated on the whereabouts of this project. Some of you have asked for me to share a tutorial, so you can do it too! So here we are:
DIY Patio Curtain Tie Backs
Like with anything else, I headed to Etsy, the minute I needed something. I found EXACTLY the look that I was going for. A natural rope, (with a modern touch). Friends, I almost paid $50 for a pair of curtain tie-backs. I was trying to prepare myself to spend that much, when I realized that I may be able to make them myself.
I started “Pinteresting” and found that someone had already tackled the DIY brainstorming part, for me! (Call that COMPLETE luck.) Crazy Wonderful had created a tutorial on curtain tie-backs that looked very similar to what I wanted, so I was able to play around with it, and make a trip to Home Depot to score the exact goods that I wanted. You all, I was able to make these for $5.00 a piece! That’s a HUGE savings, compared to what I was preparing to pay!







DIY Tutorial Curtain Patio Curtain Tie-Backs
I called my momma when I had the supplies, and told her what my plan was. Thankfully, she invited us down for dinner and to have a little “craft session,” so she could help me assemble them. I thought it was going to be so much harder than it looked. Turns out, it was super easy… but the helping hand was nice, to get them finished sooner than I would have by myself!

Type of String: The tutorial that I found, used twine to create the hooks. However I found this Twisted Mason Line, and thought that it may work better for my white curtains. Plus… I was hoping that this would hold up better outside in the rain, than twine would.
Type of Rope: I almost used manilla rope like she had used in her tutorial as well, but decided to go with a coated rope. I was a little nervous using regular rope, afraid that it could stain my white curtains. Plus, I’m hoping the coated rope and line will hold up better outside in the rain. She used a 3/4 rope, but the coated type that I used was a bit different (close) in size, but not much. It still worked! I also had the super nice man from Home Depot, cut the rope in to 2 ft. sections. He then “burned,” the edges for me, to keep them from shredding.
P.S. My friend told me about a product called “Neverwet,” that I should use on my patio furniture and curtains. It keeps it from getting wet, and literally shoves the water right off of it. So I sprayed this on my patio curtains, hoping it would keep them from getting soaked and staining. Not sure if it will work with the “staining,” aspect, but it’s worth a chance!


Metal Couplings: I needed 9 curtain tie-backs, so I grabbed 18 1/2″ Rigid Threaded Couplings, to use for the ends of the ties. (2 on each one.)

Start with cutting 3 strands of Twisted Mason Line, about 6 inches long. (The size can depend on how big you want your “hook,” to be.)

Using electrical tape, tape one end of the strings to one side, & one end of the rope.

Braid the three strands together, and tape the other end, (making a loop) to the other side of the rope with electrical tape.


Slide a coupling over the end of the rope, covering the tape and the extra stings, if any. Note: Since the couplings are rigid, it secures it on the rope a bit more! If you have trouble slipping the coupling on the rope, try “twisting,” it on. That seemed to work best for us.

The DIY patio curtain tie backs are done!
Then they were all ready to tie my new curtains back! Plus… I saved a TON of money doing it! It cost me $48 to make all 9, when I was going to have to pay $50 to receive two. That’s around $5 a piece! Woot! Success!!!
Pin this DIY Patio Curtain Tie Backs tutorial on Pinterest so you don’t forget!
Cheri A. Rich says
I am so excited to get the supplies and make these for my outdoor curtains! Great idea and looks fairly simple.
Thank you for sharing!!
Jessica says
Oh good!! I hope you love how they turn out, thank you!
Sofia says
Good afternoon. Great ideas for ties for curtains. And most importantly, you can do it yourself and very inexpensively. Thank you for the idea.
Tiffany says
Hi Jessica,
I love your tie-backs idea! I have ordered all of the supplies and will start on them once everything arrives. Can you tell me where you got the WHITE HOOKS THAT CLOSE and what they are called (that you attach the tie-backs to)? I have searched high and low and can’t find any.
Thanks so much!
Tiffany
Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada
Jessica says
Hello Tiffany! Thank you so much! I’m not sure what size you may need but these are similar to what I used! I hope it helps!
Mary Johnson says
I have searched everywhere for the couplings. Where did you find these and what size are they?
Jessica says
Hi Mary! Well shoot, I’m having trouble find the exact ones I used, but here are some that look similar
Ruth Atterberry says
I made curtains from canvas drop cloths. Folded top to length needed—like a valence—and used clip on hooks. No sewing! Inexpensive. Durable and washable.
Our problem—corner posts are metal poles. Tieback attachment ideas, anyone??
Jessica says
Oh Ruth, what a GREAT idea for curtains!! Thank you for sharing that idea!
I’m not sure if command hooks would work well for your metal poles, but I hated not to mention it just in case. They may at least work for a short time!
Heather says
Maybe this idea just add magnets. They sell small round ones at Dollar tree😀
Tina Romero says
Hello i was woundering what kind of fabric u used
Jessica says
Hi Tina! I actually bought my patio curtains HERE! I hope that helps!
Cirino says
Loved it for out door living space. Shopping was the hardest part but putting them together was fun and easy.
Jessica says
Oh good!!! I’m so glad that you enjoy making them!
Gary says
Fantastic idea. So simple but classical look. Have been looking at nautical bedroom ideas and these tiebacks fit in perfectly…thanks!
Jessica says
Aw, that’s excellent!!! I’m so happy that you like them. Thank you for leaving a comment too, letting me know that you stopped by!