Drapes can be really, really pricey. One of my favorite tricks it to use a king-sized flat sheet, cut in half to make two panels.
Remember these sheets from Carlton Varney’s HSN line?
They are sold out now (*UPDATE: I guess there are some sheets on eBay?), but check out what my girl Pam did with a king-sized set!
It’s the easiest project, really, all you do it cut a flat sheet in half and then use iron-on binding tape or a sewing machine to zip down the new edges you just made on the two panels.
Then you can cut holes in the the casing part of the flat sheet (the folded over part at the top) and thread the new panels in to your hardware.
Pam took things to a new level with her valances though (not to mention the pretty blue trim!). Love the way that turned out. Pam, we want a tutorial on the valences!! (seriously, let me know if you do a tutorial and I’ll update this post). ** TUTORIAL POSTED HERE**
Here are some fun sheet sets that would make for great curtain panels:
Horizontal gray stripes from West Elm.
Actually, all the new sheets at West Elm…
This plaid would be really cool actually, if mixed with girlier elements in the room.
Water colored polkadots! So great for a kids space, with lots of white and solids in the rest of the room.
If you have two windows to dress, it would be easier to justify the cost of getting this duvet cover to split up into four panels. I think the pattern would be so cool as drapery!
Also, if you’re looking for cute, but really inexpensive, try Better Homes and Gardens line for Walmart. I think the twin sheet sets are about $12. Here are a few of my favorite patterns:
Check out all these sweet options at Macy’s! $20 per flat sheet (which would make a nice, full panel)…
How lovely is this plum pattern, available for $10 at Kmart? I am really tempted here.
I also love this blue and gray, for a more subtle print.
Some obvious pointers –
-Get the largest sheets possible. The more fabric the better. Or, buy twin sheets, for each panel, like we talked about above.
– This is not always the most economical route, but if you don’t know how to sew well, and you have found a sheet pattern you love, this is a great option I think.
– Stick with cotton! Jersey knit drapes won’t work. :)
Love this idea!! I've been on the hunt for fabric for curtains for my nursery and never thought of using sheets. I think a trip to my local Home Sense could solve my fabric dilemna. Also, I absolutely love this room and am feeling so inspired as I too am planning a turquoise and red nursery. It's a very similar layout as well so I may just steal your shelving ideas as well. I can't wait to get mine done.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! I wis I would have seen this five years ago. Shopping for inexpensive fabric that I liked for my curtains was KILLER. If only I had thought of sheets it would have opened a whole new world for me :D Thanks for sharing– I know I will use it in the future.
Of course! I've made almost all the curtains in my house so far and am pretty tired of it! (all on my blog) This might be just the thing for my sewing room that still has a temporary paper shade!
I've used sheets for so many other things too…a crib bumper, clothes, pillows, etc. They're a great, cheap solution, and you can find really fun vintage/retro ones on Etsy and ebay and in thrift stores.
I had to make two long drapes to cover two floor to ceiling bookshelves on which I store my scrapbooking papers and other items that might fade with exposure to the sun. So I bought a single BH&G twin flat sheet for $4.00 at WalMart and cut it in half lenghtwise, used iron-on tape to hem them and form a rod pocket and they look awesome! $4.00 – how can you beat that??!!
Best post I've seen in a long time so I HAD to comment! Excellent! This has my head spinning with ideas! Thanks LGN. :)
jenny… looks like my weekend is going to be spent looking for blackouts and pretty sheets to cover them with! my seamstress is going to start hating me soon with all the projects i bring her. i think its time for me to learn how to properly sew.
Best,
Hallie
Sheets are getting so versatile that it makes changing the sheets once a week fun! I especially love the West Elm choices.
PS. I really loved the room however that shade of blue on walls still scares me. Too much intense color plays with my moods. ha.
Keighley
The tutorial is posted!
Fantastic idea! And the valance adds so much. LOVE! For those of you in NYC, I recommend Century 21 for great deals on sheets!
Great idea! I've done the same thing in the past using sheets to make curtains. Great looking nursery! We are in the custom baby & kids rug biz and see lots of nurseries and yours is really pretty!
God Bless
Darlene
http://www.creativecarpetdesign.com
Zow, that light fixture is AMAZING!!
Thanks, Jenny!!
Jenny!!! You continue to amaze me! Thank you so much for posting this project!!! Thank you Pan! You did a wonderful job!!! The nursery is Amazing!!!!! Ill be sure to check out your blog!
Jenny, you rock!
Xoxo
Seriously!!! Love this idea! May just have to give this a shot! thanks for sharing!
Another cheap drapery fabric is tablecloths! All sides are already hemmed, just clip and you're done. Plus the fabric is heavy duty enough to not need to be lined. I bought my living room drapes from Target at $16.99 each. They are 60"x 84".You can't buy fabric by the yard for that cheap!
I posted on bedding all of last week but then it's your post here that makes me think i'm going to go with the striped sheets from west elm. huh.
isn't it funny how crazy powerful blog opinions can be?
Love the pattern! Another new-sew option – tablecloths. I used 60×84 cloths from Target and the result was pretty great. You could use some light linen fabric, attached by iron-on stitching to the back of the cloth for some extra lining/protection.
So smart! I love using more inexpensive sheets and pillowcases (especially when you can find them as clearance bargains ;)! ) for other decor projects…throw pillows, duvet covers (2 sheets are usually cheaper than a cover), etc., and this is great!!
Love the sheet idea!!! Thank you for posting!
I just bought an amazing set of ikat shower curtains to use as drapes, and I'm obsessed!!
http://housefullofpretty.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/deal-alert-curtains/
I loved this post, and actually ordered some of the Macy's sheets – the little medallions (they're back ordered, but I got 50% off!)
But I'm commenting to show you a cute new girl's outfit I just got at Gymboree – see if you recognize the print. It's not exactly the same as the sheets in your post, but close!
Anyways, thanks! Best of luck to you!
http://oscarandlucy.com/2011/02/04/stinson-beach-photos-part-i/
Those watercolor polka dots are so fun! I've linked to this post in my post Daydream in Watercolor: http://www.daydreamincolor.com/?p=260
I've made fancy draperies for clients and its simply too much work for me to do in my own home. I love this idea AND just scored some awesome sheets at the thrift store for $3 for the set! Thanks for the tip!