Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I was wondering if anyone has ever made curtains out of sheets. I was thinking that I could buy some twin size flat sheets of the color of choice at Wal-Mart and use them, they already have a pocket sewn in, I could put in a curtain rod and tie back. Has anyone ever done this? And if so how did you like the way they looked. Or do any of you have a better way?

Thanks,

Becky

Answers:

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

Dear Becky,
You are right, that you can buy the twin flats and put the rod through one end. I have made many curtains this way matching them with the comforters and cushions, etc. If you want a header (gather) above the rod, sew one line of stitching, 1 and 1/2 inches above the hemline of the top of the sheet. The hemline is where the top of the sheet is folded down about 4 or 5 inches to make a finished edge. The hemline and your line of stitching will make a pocket to put your curtain rod through, giving you a ruffle above the rod.
(03/22/2005)

By Anonymous

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I used a sheet for a curtain for a double window in the guest bedroom to create privacy in our new home 4 years ago and it is still there. I used a flat king sized sheet I already had, draping it over the curtain rod already on the window to figure out where I wanted to create a false valance without having to cut the sheet. When I had the valance area deep enough, I measured carefully to establish where I wanted to create the rod pocket for hanging. Measure and pin or chalk carefully so the rod pocket is the same distance/depth all across the fabric of the sheet. Then it was simply a matter of sewing a straight line across the fabric to create the rod pocket. The upper area of the sheet had a deep "hem" with a decorative ribbon touch so it was super easy to create a really nice look.

I did need to be careful which side of the sheet I originally "hung" across the rod so that I could take advantage of this pretty detail. And when I do find the right drapery for this room, it won't be any problem removing the stitching and returning the sheet to its intended purpose. This method of covering does not allow for tiebacks but it works for what I needed. The rule of thumb for any type of window drapery or curtain is that it should be 2-1/2 times the width of the window opening to allow for fullness, but this doesn't meet that standard ~ however, it does not looked stretched or skin tight and drapes fairly nicely. Works for me. (03/23/2005)

By Ronsan

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I used them a lot. The strange thing is that the cheaper sheets work better--they seem to have more body. Darker fashion colors don't look so much like sheets when hanging (raspberry instead of pale pink, navy instead of powder blue) and don't wash the sheets before you hang them--they appear stiffer and again have more body. (03/23/2005)

By cj

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

My mom has done this for years, and everyone compliments her taste in decorating her beautiful house. There are so many things you can do to dress up the curtains (add lace or other edge decoration, make valances, attach lace, etc.), or you can leave them plain. My mom has also sold these curtains cheaply when she tired of them, and no one realized what they actually were! The variety of colors and patterns make sheets excellent for making curtains, and you can determine what kind of material and what thread count you want by what style of curtain you are going to make. (03/23/2005)

By terry

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

Heavens yes! I think my son doesn't know there's any other way to acquire curtains. I've been doing it all his life and he's 40!

They will work just the way you described. If you want other sizes/styles, sheets are still an excellent way to get a large amount of fabric at a most reasonable cost.

Nancy in Missouri (03/23/2005)

By ngpreffitt

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I have deep purple paisley sheet curtains made from 2 kings on the sliding doors from bedroom to patio. I tie them back with raffia bow and tucked an accent color silk flower into the bow. Total cost-$10 plus the cost of rod and hardware. (03/23/2005)

By Linda.

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I had used a flat sheet to make curtains for my son's room. It was stripped so it was easy to cut. I purchased the cheapest flat white sheet at Walmart for the lining to help give it weight. The problem was that the Walmart sheet was 8" shortert and it was not as wide. I did not realize this until after I had cut everything and sewed two sides. In the end, it came out great and my son's room looked great. (03/23/2005)

By Mrs. Jones

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I've done this lots times. Try using a solid sheet for the curtain and a decorative sheet for the valance and tie backs. No one will ever know that it's sheets. You can also use sheets to make very inexpensive table cloths. (03/23/2005)

By Klr2080

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

Also - there very washable! (03/24/2005)

By Lisa

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

This works great! I have also made pleated drapes from sheets, for a more formal look. One caution: Some patterns will be upside-down of you use the top edge pocket to hang the sheets. I tried this in my son's bedroom, but the dinosaurs were all standing on their heads. You can still use the sheets if you want, but will have to sew your own casing in the other end. (03/24/2005)

By Karen

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I am at college and we are not allowed to do anything permanent to our rooms, so my mom came up with an ingenious little way to hang curtains. At Bed Bath & Beyond, buy a silver expandable curtain rod and 3 silver command hooks. Place one hook at either end of the window and a third right in the middle. At Wal-Mart, get a queen bedsheet, and cut it right in half. Tie the two halves together with a large, decorative knot , and place the knot in the middle hook. Hook the ends sheets in at the left and right hooks, and arrange the middle as you want. The ends will hang down on the left and right and you can twist the middle around the rod or let it drape. It looks gorgeous and it is easily removed! (03/28/2005)

By Guest

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

Actually, yes... I have seen this done. My mother did it in their room years ago. She had bought a bedding set and knew finding curtains to coordinate would be impossible and did exactly as you suggested. The really cool thing about using sheets is that they are machine wash and dry. SO easy to keep looking fresh and clean.

When they decided to change the decor in their room, Mum did it again with the sheets but with a bit of a twist. She had got vertical blinds for the room and to "warm" up the look of the windows, she made a curtain for each side of it that she never planned to actually close (no need, with blinds in place). So, for these "cheater" curtains, she did the same sort of thing at the top and had a REALLY easy finish for the bottom. She folded up the bottom of the sheet that draped too long and, instead of hemming it, she turned it inside and bunched it with an elastic band. NO SEW! This allowed for a cute balloon look on each side of the window that softened the look of blinds alone...and was dead easy to put back up and rebunch and puff...no worries about shrinkage, etc. (03/29/2005)

By Sam

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I had country curtains made out of sheet yrs ago. worked real well. I use table cloth as my window treatment or fabric . Works great you can fine them marked down at the end of season sale. Or buy them at yardsales. I like thinking out side of the box, and think what else can I use this for.

By melissa P

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I used sheets as liners for some unlined linen drapes. The colors matched perfectly and no one could tell that they were not purchased together. Good luck, you have many options to try!
Roberta (04/03/2005)

By Roberta

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I have made curtains a lot out of sheets, you can really make your own gesighn. You already have your hem, just sew your fuffle at the top your desired width (04/15/2005)

By Kathy

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I've made lots of curtains out of sheets but don't stop there. Furniture throws, crocheted rugs, and pillows are some other things. I use sheets so much that my family sends me all their old ones via UPS! Here's a handy formula for calculating the cutting length, Patty, take the finished length(where you want the top and bottom to be on the window) + three times the header depth + two times the rod pocket depth + 8 in.(for a 4 in. double-hem; it looks nice and adds weight but any size double-hem would work) + 1 in. for a gathering allowance. I hope this helps. (04/15/2005)

By gizturbo1

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

My dad did that before. We had a space that we wanted curtains to separate the computer room from the living room. We got navy blue sheets and did it ourselves. You couldn't even tell the difference.
(06/05/2005)

By Melissa

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

We've done this before....and it works out quite well. For smaller windows or just a more custom fit you can cut off the bottom and use iron-on hem tape. It is great.
Good Luck. (06/22/2005)

By Maria

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

Duvet covers work well two! I bought too matching duvet covers and made one set into bedroom curtains. (07/02/2005)

By Annie

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I haven't personally done this, but my mother-in-law made curtains for most of the windows in their house this way! Just a pointer, to give more privacy it's good to use a double layer of sheet material when making curtains. Also, dark curtains yield themselves to better room darkening. Good luck! (05/04/2006)

By Jennifer

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

I have done this also. I have also used sheets for shower curtains and vice versa. With all the fabric and sheer fabric shower curtains they are great for window treatments. The holes are already there you just need to decide how you want to "hook" them to the curtain rods. I have also gone to discount stores like Family Dollar Store, Factory to U, and TJ Maxx and purchased drapes for as little as $5.00 - cheaper than sheets and less work. Good luck (06/05/2006)

By Tricia

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

What about using a hole punch and buying some shower curtain holders (nice ones) and hanging that instead of sewing? (06/06/2007)

By JAMIE

Making Curtains Out Of Sheets

Super easy way to coordinate your curtains with the rest of your room. Ready made curtains are very expensive and I have recently actually walked miles looking for them when I suddenly realized in a local department store linen department I was looking at a sheet that was exactly what I wanted in a curtain. Can hardly wait to get to my machine and put in the few necessary stitches. (06/19/2007)

By Janet B.