How to Make Pleated Drapes Out of Sheets

You can make pleated drapes out of sheets.

Making pleated drapes out of sheets is a simple project. You can purchase sheets that match your current bedding and decor. You can also use the sheets in other rooms of your home. The drapes are an inexpensive alternative to commercially produced pleated drapes.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Sewing machine
• Sheet
• Ruler
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Matching thread

Instructions

1. Measure the window; you want the sheet to be at least double the width of your window to allow for the pleats.

2. Sew a 2-inch hem at the bottom of your sheet. Do this by folding over 2 1/4 inches at the bottom of your sheet, pressing the fold with an iron then sewing along the bottom of the sheet to create the hem.

3. Iron the whole sheet to get rid of any wrinkles.

4. Decide how wide you want your pleats--1-inch pleats are a good start. Fold 1 inch of fabric to create the pleat. To do this, fold the edge of the sheet under to touch the wrong side of the pleat, and press the pleat the length of the sheet with the iron. Fold the pleat back so the right sides of the pleats are touching, press the pleat with the iron and pin the two pleats together at the top of the sheet.

5. Repeat the pleating, pressing and pinning until the whole sheet has been pleated. Fold over 3 inches of the sheet to create your rod pocket. Sew a 2-inch wide pocket at the top of the sheet. Remove the pins from the top of the sheet.