How to Make Your Own Shower Curtain Rings

The main purpose of shower curtain rings is to mount the curtain on your rod, but rings are not necessary to hang a shower curtain. The rings offer an attractive, matching set of mounts that are easy to install, but other methods and materials will provide the same basic effect and function if you don’t have or don’t want rings.

Things You'll Need:

Measuring tape
Coat hanger or other stiff wire
Wire cutters
Pliers
Cloth, rope or twine
Scissors
2-by-4 or similar piece of lumber
Hammer
Nails
Hooks

Make your own rings. In a pinch, use metal coat hangers or a more flexible wire to shape rough circles. Count the number of holes in your curtain. Cut an equal number of lengths of wire. Use 5-inch lengths, or adjust the length to better fit the manner in which you want your curtain to hang in relation to the rod. To create rings that you can open and close easily, hold each length of coat hanger or stiff metal wire in front of you. Using a pair of pliers, bend the top end down and to the left, and bend the top end up and to the right to create an elongated “S" shape and form miniature hooks. Thread each hook through a hole in the curtain and lock the hooks over the top of the rod. Depending on the wire you use, this type of ring substitute may rust.

Use another material to serve the same purpose as rings. Instead of metal rings, create ties from cloth, rope or twine for an inexpensive but functional solution. This type of attachment will not last as long as metal, but you can make very elaborate decorative ties out of ribbons and bows for a special occasion or a shower that is not often used. For the curtain to slide freely, run each tie through a hole in the curtain before looping it over the bar and creating a knot or bow at the top of the rod. Loosely tie one hole near the front, middle and back end of the curtain, and you can better work with the curtain to match the tension and length of the ties, then go back and adjust these initial ties.

Drape the shower curtain over the rod for the simplest substitute for hanging a curtain without rings. While this shortens the curtain somewhat and creates a curtain that will not slide as easily, there is no preparation, no investment of money or time in this method. You may experience moisture problems such as mildew growth behind the folded section of the curtain if you use this as a long-term solution.

Mount a section of 2-by-4 or similar piece of lumber in place of your shower curtain rod. Install hooks or nails along the face of the board, spaced the same distance apart as the holes in your shower curtain. Hang the curtain by slipping each of the holes in the curtain over one hook or nail. Because the curtain will not slide, take care in opening a flap to enter or leave the shower. This method is not as attractive as using rings, and may be better suited to an outdoor shower.

Resources and References:

URHowTo.com: How Hang a Shower Curtain
http://www.urhowto.com/home-and-garden/how-hang-a-shower-curtain/

This Old House: Bathrooms: Shower
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/bathroom-shower