High Drama, Low Budget Bedsheet Curtains

****Please read update at the bottom of the post to see how these held up!****

Happy Sunday, all!

We accomplished a little bit in the Master Bedroom Makeover this weekend…a little more baseboard went up, curtain rods, and I finally made some curtains that I envisioned back in NOVEMBER. Yes, I bought all the materials three months ago, with big dreams and high hopes, then life happened. I’ve been crossing every finger and toe since, in hopes that it all works out, and guess what? They actually panned out just as I imagined! Don’t you just love it when that happens?!

We went from this:

bedsheet curtains

To this:

bedsheet curtains

(Please pardon the baseboard situation – this is the side of the room that hasn’t been done yet, hence the sloppy paint line and itty bitty baseboard;) 

And I didn’t even spend twenty bucks! I mean, well, I did have the curtain rod already. But the sheets – I mean – CURTAINS – including everything only set me back about $16.

Let’s rewind.

I picked up a queen white flat sheet from Walmart. (I also bought two king ones and did this on the plank wall, but I’m not posting any pics of that because I want to save something for the reveal! 😉 ) The sheet was $11 or something. Not bad.

I also picked up some of this amazeballs Fabric Fuse. This is MY NEW FAVORITE THING!!! I mean, these companies really help a non-sewing sister out, and I am beyond appreciative.

bedsheet curtains

(I realized AFTER the tape was all gone that I didn’t take a picture, so yes, this is an empty container in case you’re confused;)

I also grabbed some white grosgrain ribbon.

And here’s how it all went down.

First, I laid my sheet across my bed, the underside facing me. I cut some ribbon pieces – probably 2-3 inches(ish). I laid them out a few inches apart from each other. Seriously, I did ZIPPY measuring, because you know that’s how I roll, but you can do as many or as little as you want – all just depends on how many loops you want.

bedsheet curtains

Then, I cut a couple little pieces of the Fabric Fuse stuff – one for the top of the ribbon, one for the bottom. This stuff is basically tape. It’s washable, it’s awesome, it REQUIRES ZERO SEWING OR IRONING. I mean, what more can you ask for?!

bedsheet curtains

You stick it on where you want it, then peel the top layer off, leaving a sticky film.

bedsheet curtains

bedsheet curtains

It’s  hard to see, so I made little arrows so you can see where the sticky stuff is.

Then you just stick the ribbon on there. Instant loop!

bedsheet curtains

And the rod just slides right on through!bedsheet curtain

 

After I put it up, I realized two queen sheets would be overkill on this one window. I took it down, cut it right down the middle, and used this fuse stuff to create a “hem” along each side. Worked like a charm, and I only had to use ONE queen sheet for the whole window!

bedsheet curtains

Here’s why I went with queen size instead of twin: the queens are much longer length, and I wanted a big ol’ puddle effect. Gives it a little more drama, and one of my “things” are too-short curtains. They’re like nails down a chalkboard to me.

Another way to go high drama is to raise the rod to the very top of your wall. This makes SUCH a difference! After I hung the curtains yesterday, my husband said the room felt so much bigger. They really do give that effect. I have no idea why I haven’t been doing this all along. Oh wait, yes I do – because curtains are made that way! To get these extra long guys, you gotta get creative and think outside the box…like bedsheets;)

I am kinda obsessed with these guys. They’re giving me the light, airy feel I so wanted, with high drama, thanks to the length and puddle action…PLUS they were extreeeeemely budget friendly. Win!

windows Collage

I’m thinking I’ll probably be adding thick ribbon to make them even more custom and fun, just haven’t decided what color…I’ll keep you posted!

Have a great week, everyone! XO

 

****Update: After living with these curtains for several months, a handful of the tabs came undone. I would hold them in place for a few seconds and the sticky glue would then keep for a little while, and eventually come undone again. After living with having to restick a few every other week or however long they’d stay, I decided I wasn’t up for the commitment so I came up with an even easier no-sew solution…I cut a slit in the beginning and the end of the top of the curtain (where the tabs were), and the rod just slid through. I did it on the back so you can’t even see the slit. Problem solved, and no more having to deal with a loose tab here and there! I guess the weight of such long curtains was too much after a while, but if you were to make valances or short curtains, it might work better! ****

Comments

  1. This is perfect! Is the Fabric Fuse from Walmart too?

  2. They look great! and I will now be on the lookout for the fuse tape stuff. No ironing or sewing…sign me up!

  3. Lacy Danielson says:

    Where did you find those Roman shades? Love the combo of the curtains and the shades!

  4. Thank you for this fantastic tutorial! Our master bedroom will have one small window and I think this look will help make it appear larger. I found the perfect pair of white twin sheets in my linen stash as well. Setting them aside for this project…

  5. Have you had any trouble with this project? I completed it and it fell down two days later 🙁

  6. Judy Amend says:

    Great curtains. I think the shades would look better if they were as high as the drapes.

  7. jaclyn laroche says:

    Hi, where did you get the wicker curtains from? Thanks!

  8. Courtney says:

    Ok, I have just come across your webpage today for the first time. You seem to be a lot like me! I love trying creative, different things… frugally. 😉 Love all the things you have done to your home! Thanks for sharing your ideas with others!

  9. Susan Hamilton says:

    The packaging says fabric fuse is permanent. Even after washing the curtains?

  10. Doreen Sprague says:

    That is amazing! I’ve started collecting the items to copy this room. Do you have any ideas how I go about making off center windows look center to the room? My bed has to go in front of them.

    • Thank you! I actually did a post a LONG time ago but my old site was hacked and it got lost! But basically, just buy a really long curtain rod – my bed is actually off center in front of the window, but by hanging a long rod and covering up part of the wall instead of the window, you can’t tell! (Does that make sense?!) Good luck!

  11. Marianne kaye says:

    Very good idea! Also quick and looks very professional. Thanks!

  12. I was hopeful this would work but it’s a total Pinterest fail! Waste of time and money. They just slowly fall apart if you use the no sew tape or glue. I would definitely sew the curtains if possible.

    • I’m so sorry this didn’t work out for you, Malia:( Another thing I realized I could do instead and ended up doing for my daughter’s room (that was easier and simpler!) was just to cut a hole in the back of the sheet for the rod to slip through and hang ’em up! But yes, sewing would be the best if you know how:)

  13. Katelyn says:

    This might be a dumb question, but I’m having trouble picturing where you cut the slits after taking off the ribbons. Can you further explain that?

    • Hi Katelyn! Not a dumb question at all! Are you on Instagram? If so, I just posted one of those Insta-story/Live things on there showing what it means! If you’re not, let me know and I’ll explain it better:)

  14. Another easy solution would have been those curtain clips…

  15. Kristina H says:

    What is the best type of sheet (like material) for these?

    • Anything super lightweight and airy will do! Ikea I think even carries curtains that are $10 now that are great, so you don’t even need to do the sheets!

  16. Love the paint color of your room! What is the color and paint brand?

  17. Love the paint color! What is the brand and color?

Trackbacks

  1. […] When I want really cheap curtains I look for flat sheets on clearance. You don’t even have to know how to sew to turn sheets into curtains. […]

  2. […] When I want really cheap curtains I look for flat sheets on clearance. You don’t even have to know how to sew to turn sheets into curtains. […]

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