Using Bed Sheets
Find a flat bed sheet with a wide top hem. Depending on what look you want, you will need one twin-sized sheet, two twin-sized sheets, or one full-sized sheet. A twin-sized sheet will measure 66 by 96 inches (167.64 by 243.84 centimeters). A full-sized sheet will measure 81 by 96 inches (205.74 by 243.84 centimeters). Listed below are some options to get you started: Get two twin-sized sheets (one per panel) if you want very full curtains. Cut a twin-sized sheet in half to make two panels, if you want skinny curtains. Cut a full-sized sheet in half to make two panels if you want standard curtains.
Wash, dry, and iron the sheets to get rid of any shrinking, wrinkles, and fold lines. Be sure to wash the sheets according to the directions on the package or tag. If you lost the package and can't find the tag, use a cool wash cycle, and a normal dry cycle. Iron the sheets once they are dry.
Cut the sheet in half lengthwise, if needed. If you want to turn one bed sheet into two thinner panels, fold the sheet in half and line up the edges. Press the fold with an iron, then cut along the fold.
Consider hemming the cut edges for a cleaner finish. Most sheets won't fray after you cut them, but you will get a nicer finish if you hem it. Fold both raw edges inward, towards the wrong side of the fabric, twice by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters). Press the fold flat with an iron, then insert some iron-on hem tape inside the hem. Following the instructions on the package, press the hem flat again to seal it. Because of the length you are working with, you might find it easier to insert and iron 10 inch (25.4 centimeters) long sections of iron-on hem tape at a time. When you are done, flip the curtain over so that the right side is facing you, and press the hems flat for 3 to 5 seconds. This helps seal the iron-on hem tape further.
Using a seam ripper, open both ends of the top hem on each side of the sheet. This will create the holes through which the curtain rod will slide––do not unpick any other part of the hem's seam, just the sides. Consider leaving the top hem alone, and using clip-on curtain rings to hang the sheets onto the curtain rod instead.
Tuck the ripped seams inside the hem for a cleaner finish. Press flat with an iron, but do not use any iron-on hem tape.
Pass the curtain rod through the hems and hang your instant curtains. If you decided to use curtain rings, simply clip them onto the top hem, and pass the curtain rod through the rings.
Place the curtains to either side of the window. If you have a very high ceiling, hang the curtains higher up, and pull them to the outer edges of the window (as opposed to the inner edges).
Use matching ribbons as tiebacks. To prevent fraying of the ribbons, cut each end diagonally.
Using Fabric
Measure your windows to decide how large your want each curtain panel to be. The curtains can fall just past the bottom of the window, or they can fall all the way down to the floor.
Choose your fabric, then wash, dry, and iron it, if necessary, to get rid of any shrinking and wrinkles. Some fabric types cannot be washed, so read the side of the bolt when buying your fabric; it will tell you how to wash the fabric.
Cut each panel 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) longer and 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) wider than you want them to be. You will need this extra fabric for the seam allowances.
Fold the bottom hem up by ½ inch (1.27) centimeters, and press it flat with an iron. Make sure that you are folding towards the wrong side of the fabric. For extra support, insert some iron-on hem tape inside the hem before you iron it.
Fold the bottom hem up again, this time by 5 inches (12.7 centimeters). Insert a strip of iron-on hem tape before you press the hem down, then follow the instructions on the package when ironing it. Make sure that the top edge of the tape aligns with the folded edge of the hem. Folding the hem twice like this gives you a cleaner finish, and you won't have to worry about any fraying edges showing. You might find it easier to insert and iron 10 inch (25.4 centimeters) long sections of iron-on hem tape at a time.
Fold each side hem over twice by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters), and press flat with an iron. Once again, make sure that you are folding towards the wrong side of the fabric. Insert a piece of iron-on hem tape inside the second set of hems you are folding. For extra support, you can insert some iron-on hem tape inside the first set of hems as well.
Fold the top hem down by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters), and press flat with an iron. Once again, make sure that you are folding towards the wrong side of the fabric. For extra support, insert some iron-on hem tape inside the hem before you press it with an iron.
Fold the top hem down again, but this time by 6 inches (15.24 centimeters), and press flat with an iron. Insert a strip of iron-on hem tape before you press the hem down. Make sure that the top edge of the tape aligns with the top, folded edge of the hem.
Flip the curtain so that the right side is facing you, and press the hems flat for 3 to 5 seconds. This will help fuse the iron-on hem tape inside the hems further.
Leave the top hem alone if you want to slide it onto the curtain rod, or use clip-on curtain rings. This is the easiest and simplest way of hanging curtains.
Consider attaching some tabs to make a self-pleating curtain. Flip the curtain so that the back is facing you. Cut 3½ inch (8.89 centimeters) long strips of 2 inch (5.08 centimeters) wide ribbon. Space the ribbons 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) apart. Glue the top of each ribbon strip to the top of the curtain. Glue the bottom of each ribbon 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) from the top of the curtain, creating a bulge. Slide the panels onto the curtain rod. Choose a ribbon color that matches your curtain color.
Hang your curtains. Take the curtain rod off the wall, and attach the curtains. When you are done, place the rod back onto the wall. Position the panels to either side of the window, and tie them back with pieces of matching ribbon, if desired. If you have a very high ceiling, you may want to hang the curtains higher up, and pull them to the outer edges of the window (as opposed to the inner edges) instead. If you are using curtain rings, clip them onto the top hem, and pass the curtain rod through the rings. If you are using ribbon tabs, pass the curtain rod through the tabs. If you are using just the hem, pass the curtain rod through the wide, top hem.
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