The patio makeover is looking so good but our canopied swing was looking a little tired…

see patio makeover

I love the drapes we use on our gazebo every year. I purchased them years ago from Moshells.com. The sheer drapes go up in May and come down in October. They hang outdoors for those 5 months in the rain, in the sun. These were the most affordable sheers I could find and I am so happy with the quality. No fraying, no fading. Still good as new…

So when I decided to give our canopied swing a makeover, I knew I wanted to use sheer drapes again (perfect for a romantic summer vibe).

Did I mention that not only do I love the quality but the prices are budget friendly? Yup! The sheer panels I chose are $3.99 each.

I used seven 84″ sheer curtain panels to enclose our canopied swing. Here’s how I did it (drawing it up seemed easier to explain)…

I started with the top (shown in center below), then pinned and sewed each of the other panels around the top curtain panel:

Wasn’t that easy?!

Then I slipped it into place (under the canvas canopy but over the frame).

{I added some outdoor solar lights for night time too.}

And the curtain panels blew around in the breeze. That won’t do!

To keep the curtains from blowing around, I purchased galvanized pipe (two 60″, two 48″ and two 6″) and gave them a coat of brown spray paint. Once dry, I simply slid them into the bottom hem of the sheer curtains.

The 60″ pipes for the sides, which are long enough to tuck on the inside of the frame (longer than the curtain hem). I’ll probably even grab some pipe caps next time I’m out.

The 48″ pipes are for the back side (because the curtains overlap…one long continuous pipe won’t work)… When it’s functioning as a swing, the pipes will hang/weight the sheer drapes. When it’s in the daybed position, they’re tucked under the frame before frame pins are inserted.

I used the 6″ galvanized pipes as weight for the front curtains which are tied back with organza ribbon.

I also covered the cushion (super easy envelope-enclosure pillow cover style). Fabric is Maco Indoor/Outdoor Pisa Texture Cocoa.  Just one huge pillow cover…the fabric design lining up just right was a happy accident! Love when that happens!

{swing}

{daybed

Before…

After…

Much better, right?

Our swing folds down into a daybed. When we’re entertaining, I simply remove the pins and fold it up into more of a ‘bench with back’/swing position for additional seating. But when it’s just us, this daybed set up is perfect for lazy naps on warm afternoons. Just ask CocoRosie…

For those who have inquired, this is the Hampton Bay Sonoma swing which we purchased in 2008. I can’t find it available anywhere now. Here is what I was able to find that is similar: Target Pergola Swing, Target Gazebo Swing.

You may also be interested in our free standing pallet herb garden…

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*Big thanks to Moshells who generously provided me with the above sheer drapes in exchange for my review. Watch for the ‘free shipping’ promotions! I am a previous satisfied customer (present and probably future too) and as always, opinion, experience, tutorial and photos are my own.