I wanted the Apartment Therapy community to use their collective wisdom to answer this question. I am lucky enough to have a super large bedroom for a New York apartment (16' x 22') with 11' ceilings and I want to section it off into a bedroom section and a seating area. I have been influenced by this Home Hack | How To Hang 30' Of Curtains For $40 and I want to hang some curtains around my bed…
The problem is that I would have to hang about 50' of airplane cable and thus about 50' or more of curtain material. Originally I wanted to use canvas drop clothes as curtains around my bed but given their weight I think it would cause the airplane cable to droop. Since I dont sew — nor have a sewing machine — the next bet would be using king size flat sheets. The problem is I cant find any flat sheets under $20 each. I am trying to keep this project affordable (under $80-100 for fabric). Can anyone who has completed such a large DIY project suggest fabric options or suggest where I can get cheap king size flat sheets?
Sent by Fidelia
Editor: Please share sites and suggestions with Fidelia in the comments — thanks!
• Got a question? Email yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first)
Image: Sarah Rae Trover
Dirty Little Secrets of Tidy Families
Emi & Nathan's Natural History
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sprout Side Table
5 Things Paris Taught Me About Travel
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
You could use cable OR you could use Ikeas Kvartal curtain track. You are in New York, is there a Walmart anywhere near you. You can buy all colors of King Size Sheets for $14.00. I have a Kvartal curtain rod and a king size sheet covering my water heater in my laundry room. Kvartal comes in 6 feet rods that you can attach together. It also has curved pieces that could form a curve around your bed.
I once did large curtains using muslin. It is cheap and lightweight and neutral in color. You could probably do a simple hem without sewing by using hem tape or fuse or whatever it is. Sorry I'm actually not that helpful with the lingo.
I don't remember the name of the vendor, but I had an apartment in NYC a long time ago that had 50' of floor to ceiling windows, used hospital curtain track. Worked great, was cheap, and was extruded aluminum so looked good too.
you could use painter drop cloth which are inexpensive, look like a natural linen material, huge and use iron on adhesive for an hems if needed.
http://theletteredcottage.net/dropcloth-drapes
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/drop-cloth-style-099130
Cheapest would be to either buy bolts of fabric, up to 60" wide, as many yards as you need from PARON in NYC and iron tape them or
have them made into simple panels or buy curtians from Ikea.
I bet you could also get closeout canvas or cotton duck for sale online too..
Oooh those are VERY nice dropcloth drapes b77!
It's very hit or miss, but you can find sheets in the clearance bin at tjmax/marshall's for as cheap as $1.
With such an good space and high ceilings, I really think you should consider keeping it open. Using throw rugs and shelving to designate space for sleep and entertaining will in the end look more polished that cheap K-Mart sheets hanging from the ceiling. Use you budget for some nice bedding for your actual bed!
Ikea's Sarita curtains come two to a pack (a little less than 5 feet wide total) for $6.99, so you could get ten sets for $70. They come with that hemming stuff, too.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80111202
The white Lill is even cheaper ($4.99).
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90111980
But neither will provide a lot of privacy, if that's what you're looking for.
Sheets are generally cheaper than fabric.
Century 21 has pretty-good-quality king size sheets for about $10.
Also, yes, the Ikea KVARTAL rail. I use it around my bed. I got some very inexpensive basic canvas-weight cotton curtains from Ikea and hung them to divide off my bed/clost area.
i also used HOSPITAL TRACK for my floor to ceiling windows and to section off my open closet/changing area. it works really well and looks industrial chic. definitely sturdy enough to hang heavy fabric -- i bought thick, inexpensive canvas drop cloth and it looks great. (also, didnt need to using a sewing machine. just had it cut to the right lengths, and hung from track system with the industrial hooks).
best luck!
I had this saved on my Flickr- it looks like painter drop cloth and looks cozy-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44713708@N00/4425069529/in/set-72157622103111178/
Goodwill sells bedding, and some of the sheets are odd lots from manufacturers - in original, unopened packaging.
www.fashionfabricsclub.com has high-quality fabrics, with some basics by the bolt (muslin). Also, a lot of fabrics in wide widths (52-60 inches). Cruise the decorating fabrics section, as you can often find high end fabric for less than half the cost. Even if you don't do the whole 50' in decorator fabric, a few panels spaced along the length could make a real impact. You can order 1/8 yard samples (generally less than a dollar/sample) if you want to see the fabric before you buy.
JoAnn Fabrics (there's a website) carries staple fabrics, and is a good source for fusible hem tapes, etc. that are easy to use and work well.
Pay attention to shipping cost if you order on line. With FashionFabricsClub there're often free shipping deals, and it's worth waiting for one to come around.
Thanks for all the comments.
B77 I totally wanted to do the dropcloth drapes but only later figured out the weight limitations after I installed the airplane cables. I didnt know about the IKEA system which would have allowed me to go with the look I was aiming for.
I also tried to find 4 oz canvas drop clothes which are lighter than what you normally find at the hardware store. But 4oz is also impossible to find.
Phil 121 I dont think there any Walmarts that I can reach without a car- though I can order online so will check it out.
Well, gosh, you're in NYC! There's no better source for discount fabrics than some of the stores in the Garment District (just walk the blocks from 35th to 38th between 6th and 7th). I'm sure you could find a couple of bolts of cheap cotton or muslin for $3 or $4/yard. Just make sure it is as wide as possible.
Broadway below Canal also has some good discount fabric stores.
Don't go on Saturday! Lots are closed for Jewish sabbath.
Almost forgot: no sewing required. Just buy iron-on hem tape (sometimes called Stitch Witchery). You only have to do the top and bottom hems, the sides of the bolt will be fray-proof already. Also, I should have said between 6th and 8th Aves.
Muslin is the way to go, it will have similar color as drop cloth, though not the weight. I have muslin curtains and they are beautiful drapery!
white canvas at Pearl Paint
Where does one get 'hospital tracking' for curtains? Sounds perfect for my new dining nook!
I did this. I actually did this in my apartment. I have no closet, so I used one wall of my bedroom.
Best choices for hanging: hospital track, Levolor Kirsch "Universal Track" or Ikea track.
Levolor Kirsch at (http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6E.aspx?GrpTyp=ENS&ItemID=179c2e1&DeptID=70751&CatID=70824&SO=0&x5view=1&Ne=5+967+971+8+1021+18+904+949+833&shopperType=G&N=4294953315&Nao=42&PSO=0&CmCatId=external|70824)
For the fabric: Do not use sheets; they are not long enough and you'll have to sew. Use either fabric or drop cloths.
This is an easy project: I hope it works out for you.
I'm posting to find out where you got that awesome robot art in the background!
I wish we had a basic floor plan we could see. Because I still think you could do the $40 curtains . . . well, provided you have a friend that sews that accepts payment via a bottle of wine. I truly hope you have such friends. ;)
It would work by screwing the cable into the ceiling (joists and studs) rather than the wall, so you don't have to go the entire 50'. Again, this depends on your floor plan.