I suggest using tablecloths instead of sheets. from my experience, sheets hanging as curtains always look like... well, sheets. shop around and you can find cotton blend (cotton/linen) tablecloths pretty cheap.

If you have an ikea near you, they sell white twin bed sheets for only $2 each. Terrific deal.

I agree with nycgreenmomma, i think tablecloths would look extremely similar to expensive curtains while the sheets fall a little flat!

IKEA also has very inexpensive Indian cotton bedspreads in solid colours with an attractive stitching detail that provides a bit of visual interest...

I tried sheets to make slip covers for an unsightly armchair, and it always just looked like a sheet. I think the problem is that sheets have a very smooth, flat texture, while most curtains have more texture to them. So I agree with the previous comments that I'm going to try tablecloths for my windows that need sprucing up.

I've seen seersucker sheets on Amazon. Those would provide some texture. Plain sheets may always look like sheets but when you're on a tight budget and desperate to keep the hot sun out, so what? A session on the ironing board would help.

...I love Jason's post titles the most.

I often find white Damask tablecloths in excellent condition at Goodwill for just a few bucks. I have a big supply of them. Now I know what to use them for.

Tablecloths are a terrific idea.

I bought twin flat sheets from IKEA ($4.40/each). It was great since two of the sides were already sewn. They look fantastic in my house; just the right weight. And they make for great privacy and keeping the room cool while still letting a lot of light through. Couldn't be happier. Seriously, where can you get 6 curtains for under $30?

I did the same thing but with very old, thick, large and crisp white linen sheets bought in a closing convent while touring Burgundy.

We did this in our living room layers white twin sheets (which were inexpensive) with some gorgeous fabric roman shades.... I think it works great!

If sheets dont hang well or seem to slouchy, use starch.

There are plenty of good looking 96" white curtains at Ikea for $20 and under.

I used table cloths in my living room. I also used the same cafe clips. To make the curtains look a little more tailored/even at the top I pinch pleated them. It makes a huge difference.

I did this with cheap curtains from Building 19 (a closeout/warehouse store in New England) when I first moved into this apartment. Now I have 'real' curtains, and the sheet-curtains make great painting dropcloths!

I just scored some new curtains for my bedroom at Building 19.... $3 each. Real curtains. Taupe with random roses. Very plain. Just what I like. $3 each! I love that store.

I mean "cheap sheets" at the beginning there. Jeeze Katey, wake up!

My mother has had these hanging in her living room for probably a decade and gets tons of complements. She chose sheets with a lace detail at the bottom (well, top of the sheet), which makes for an unusual but beautiful curtain.

Another inexpensive solution which works especially well for long, high windows: burlap. I didn't even hem ours, just ironed a narrow fold at the top for tidiness and to give the curtain rings a nice even edge to grip, then unravelled a bit of the bottom edge for a rustic fringe.

I love the sheerness of burlap: we get a sunlight filtering through, but a little privacy too. In rooms where we need even more privacy, I lined the burlap with a cafe half-curtain: just a linen tea-towel strung across the lower half of the window. It's a great no-sew solution.

People must have forgotten 'Trading Spaces' from the 90s because they used to do this all the time.

Check out Worldmarket.com they sell great curtains, made in India & Pakistan with unusual designs. I really like their Tree of Life curtains.
I plan to use crochet runners as a panel in my bathroom. I'm going to buy a bunch of them (usually $20. or so in my local antique shop) sew the panels together then hang them from clips. I may even sew beads in the holey areas & sew a matching bead trim at the bottom. I agree with the other posters , that sheets wind up looking cheap when you try to pretend they're curtains. This isn't a college dorm you're decorating, it's your home. Why not just buy painters drop cloths & buy an Indian block print or stencil & design something unique. Another good place for in-expensive curtains is Saffronmarigold.com

Two words: drop cloths. They are cheap alternatives to Resto Hardware's belgian linen panels.

where to buy simple semi-sheer cotton curtains?