How to Turn Old Sheets Into Curtains

When you're thinking about what to do with those old sheets consider turning them into stylish curtains and save some money in the process. Today's high price of ready-made curtains makes this an especially attractive project that you can complete in a few hours.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sheets
• Thread
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Measuring tape

1. Iron the sheets after you launder them. Measurements are the most accurate when the fabric is straight and smooth. Measure the width and length of your window. If you would like the new curtains to hang all the way to the floor, include the extra inches in the length.

2. Lay the flat sheet out on a large area. If you don't have enough space, you can fold it in half, lengthwise and adjust your measurements to reflect this.

3. Double the width measurement you took from your window. For example, if your window measures 36 inches across, you will double that to make 72 inches.

4. Start at the large hem end of your sheet and measure out your doubled width. The large top hem will be the pocket to insert your curtain rod later. Now, measure the length from the top of the large hem down, but add 2 inches to the total. If your window length was 48 inches, measure downward 50 inches. The extra is for the hem.

5. Cut out the sheet according to your measurements. Now you have a large flat piece of material with a hem at the top and three raw edges. Fold each of the raw edges over ½-inch and iron to flatten the seam. Then turn them over another ½ inch and iron to flatten. Check which direction your top hem folds and make sure your edges are all folded the same direction.

6. Sew the sides first along the seams starting at the bottom and only sewing up to the large top hem. Carefully fold the extra material of the top hem inside, trimming it to fit and then iron it to flatten it. Sew the bottom hem last, folding it to overlap the side hems.

7. Slide the large hem over your curtain rod and now you have a brand new curtain.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use extra fabric to cut out a tie-back to pull your curtain over to one side for extra flair.
• Use additional fabric to make a pillow or a matching drape for your lamp. Just make sure the fabric isn't too close to a hot light bulb.