Sadie, I went and looked at my curtains. I see now that I actually used 2 panels on each side. Each panel is 54 inches wide. More width than I needed but I guess now that I didn't want to cut one panel into two widths. My panels are not lined. I just opened up the opposing side hems and sewed them together with a very narrow seam and then overcast the edge. I have no problem drawing the curtains across except for getting the folds to look "perfect"- that's partly because I have all that extra fabric width. I used to close the curtains everyday because the door faces south and the sun could be too much, but we have replaced the original door and now have blinds between the glass. Now I only close the curtains at night if we have guests for dinner and I want it to look a little fancier in the room.

Use electrical conduit, it's lighter and apprx $2 for 10 ft. I found an online DIY video and I'm about to tackle this project myself for an almost 200' rod. My biggest problem is figuring out where to put the brackets so I can still open the curtains. I have a slider with windows on both sides, about 11' of wall space between the slider and each window, very little wall space to the corner. I'm hanging 3 patio drapes, because I wanted the color and the company doesn't sell matching curtain panels. My goal is to block the bright morning sun and the heat (the sun rises right into my window!). I'll try to post a link to that video, it seems fairly easy, except the bracket issue. I bought 2 100' pieces of conduit, 1 can of primer paint combo (spray paint) and it only cost $8. I did pick up some connectors for $2, but I'm not sure if I'll use them yet. All i need to buy now is brackets, shouldn't be that expensive, i'm guessing the total cost will be under $30. I'm also hanging a black out liner in front of the slider, on a separate rod, as close to the wall as possible. If rods weren't so ridiculously expensive, I would just buy a custom made one, but that would cost more than my curtains! I'm hoping this is as easy as it is in my head...Anyone have any suggestions on where to put these brackets, please let me know. Here is a link that might be useful: DIY curtain rod

My post got long .. here's what I wanted to say. I believe that 30 , 3 minute videos, watched one after another . which means they would have to be downloaded together.. not picked and watched from youtube.. is the best way i've learned to understand new topics i want to learn about. With this in mind if someone can help , not by using a one at a time converter. but by a bulk , 30 video downloader for Youtube or google video, I will be glad to explain why it's the best way to learn. and I'm willing to make a nice donation, of $30 or more to a charity of the choice of the person helping with the method to bulk save about 30 or 40 videos at a time. I said i would explain why in detail if you want I'm glad to do it. And i'm willing to donate because it's a good time where people need donations and I have the money to donate. and it's something i'm asking for. Thanks for listening and reading. I spent hours trying to write something useful but it got confusing and so finally you got the gist of what I meant to say. : ) All with good intentions for me, the group, and people who could benefit by the assistance of a technical helper. I posted here because people in this thread were the type who were the type I think would benefit by the type of learning I've had success with using youtube and many downloads. But what I offer is too much to suggest . . to people with not much time. That's why I needed a helper to create the downloader routine. Yes there are some already but the ones I've used are 1 at a time and that's too slow and tedious in my experience. I wanted to help everyone and this group was one I thought i could help and explain why .. : ) Be well

Patricia, so I will need a center support...okay that means I'll need two panels (for the both sides, left & right)? How do I keep the curtain "open" that will allow me to use the sliding door? Fabric... I am not sure which one is best, but I don't want thin fabric like lien. I might go with either velvet, cotton, polyester, or maybe blackout. I understand that velvet and blackout are heavy. I will post a picture of my sliding door - maybe tomorrow. Thanks for your advice.