this is a fantastic idea!

The wire clips can hold a surprisingly large amount of weight. I use quilts as curtains in our old, drafty house in the northern mid west. In theory, I'd like to make fabric ties for them, but until I find the time to do so, the clips have done the job well.

This works well with bedspreads, also.

oooo i like the blue ones

i mean green ones, hahaha!

This is great. I've just gotten into sewing and so I'm excited to do more with the fabric I have, which includes table cloths!

can someone explain what these wire clips are? i can't tell by the picture what they look like so i don't walk into home depot completely clueless. also, where do i get a metal curtain rod like that?

Fabric stores also sell strips of pleating tape that has loops in it for hooks - Just sew a couple straight lines, install the pleater hooks and you've got curtains.

http://www.denverfabrics.com/pages/static/decorator/window-drapery.htm

Oh how I wish I had learned to sew. Those clips are fantastic though! Love that first image.

Why on earth did I not think of this before?

Wire clips are also called ring clips, or drapery clips, or curtain ring clips - any variety of that name. Most big box stores like Target, etc. carry them in the drapery hardware section. No sewing is required if you already have a finished panel.

I use vintage large linen tablecloths for my kitchen curtains- have for years. If they are too long, then you can fold over the top if you can't or won't sew. Those ring clips are great- just make sure if the fabric is heavy you get sturdy ones. Umbra sells some really flimsey clips that don't hold much-maybe a sheer- but most can hold a lot of weight.

Line them with an old sheet, if you need more window coverage--you don't even have to sew (iron on seam binding will work as will hot glue.) But iron them before you snap the photo.

It really is a great idea! I've done this, although I turned a tablecloth into a shower curtain (with a simple grommeting tool) and cafe curtains in my bathroom. It cost me $20 for one tablecloth which was used for the shower and window curtains! It was recently featured here...

http://retrorenovation.com/2009/10/01/christines-salt-n-pepper-pink-bathroom/

@pedalpowered: IKEA also sells a version of these clips.

I used those Orla Kiely tablecloths for curtains too! Window twins!!

I also bought that Orla Kiely tablecloth with the intention of creating curtains! :)

I'm not a fan of the clip look but i've done this with jacquard tablecloths and hem tape (really lazy cheap curtains)... It was done out of necessity, having 6 nine foot long windows, but it was pretty cute in the end.

Also, try shower curtains.

I have a bunch of shower curtain rings with clips and was planning on doing this in my new apartment! Thanks for the great pics.

Love this! I always see tablecloths I like but they don't work in my kitchen.