Quantcast

Bower Power

· 66 Comments

Curtain Call

Uncategorized

One of the ways I saved money in our recent bathroom makeover was by creating my own shower curtain. 

First – let me say – I am not BFF’s with my sewing machine.  I know the basics…like how to do a straight line…but not a whole lot more than that. 

Secondly – our showers are extra long and require at least a 90 inch length to go from the shower curtain rod to brushing the floor…normal shower curtains aren’t this long and an extra long shower curtain would cost me at least $30.

And D – I had about a $5 budget (which is less than my weekly bacon allowance) so I was looking at price first, style second.   

I saw these sheets at Walmart and to be honest, the price had me at hello.  The rainbow colors were fun and completely kid friendly – total icing on the $5 sheet cake.  Online, they sell this as a set but in my Wallyworld, they sell them all separately.  I picked up a regular ole flat sheet after triplechecking the measurements (I wanted to be sure it was wide and long enough).   

Once I got it home, I just laid out my extra long liner on the twin sheet.  Then I marked the length for triming.

I cut off about six inches from the length making sure that I left about an extra half inch so that I could create the hem on the bottom.   

Then I flipped the entire sheet upside down.  I wanted the band detail to be on the bottom…so upsy-dasey was the way to go.  I also wanted the curtain to be grazing the floor (this space is tighter than the pants on an NFL player so it definitely didn’t need a shorter curtain chopping up the area visually).  After double checking that the length was a-ok, I hemmed it up. 

Then came time for the holes.  I laid out the curtain again with the liner centered on the fabric.  It was just simply a matter of marking the twelve spots for the holes and then using my Singer to create half-inch long button holes (basically a rectangle using a tight short zig-zag stitch). 

Then I used my craft knife to cut out the inside of each button hole.  A few shower curtain rings later, we have this:

And this sheet did span our entire shower (although if you are attempting this at home, you might want to double check your measurements – a twin might be too narrow and a full or queen might do the trick!)

And here’s it grazing the floor….

It took me about a half hour to sew it all (although if you are a better seamstress than me, well, I hate you a little.  not really.  well, maybe a little.  and I really want to be your friend so that you can come over and sew stuff for me, and it probably wouldn’t take you as long…while I make you a BLT). 

But that’s how I did it…saved some moolah while getting a very fun jumping-off point for our bathroom makeover with a flat sheet…or shower curtain…or whatever you want to call it 🙂  

Anyone else out there use a sheet for a shower curtain?  or something else?  do tell…

0 Shares

Comments

  1. Katie, I am using flat sheets from Walmart to make cheepo pergola curtains. Yeah for flat sheets.

    I really like how your bathroom came out and your accessories make that band of green tile make sense in the room. Cute!

  3. Those very same sheets are the curtains in my little one’s room! I call them my “no sew” easy peasy curtains ( I just ripped the seam at the top and stuck it on a rod) . I used different colors for my living room and older son’s room. But I SWEAR, cheapest curtains EVER and they look great if you like the rod pocket look!

  4. SHUT UP about your bad sewing skills! That is great. And it took you half an hour? OMG it takes me half an hour to get the machine threaded. And I’m lucky if I can complete ONE buttonhole, let alone eleven, in the next half hour. And that one solitary buttonhole will be wonky. And usually in the wrong place. Maybe I should give up sewing. But then, I don’t even make a great BLT, so who will I get to do it for me?

  6. I use sheets to make curtains all the time. I line all my curtains with the walmart whit sheets. Such a cheaper way than buying fabric to use. Never thought of using one for a shower curtain but you can bet I will now. Thanks for the idea.

  7. i’ve used a sheet as a shower curtain before…and as regular curtains. so versatile.

    ps – i sew for coffee and cookies. just sayin’

  9. I spent a whopping $5 at WallyWorld to buy a lime green flat sheet, twin-size.
    I cut it in 1/2 lengthwise and hemmed it to the right length, but at the time, was sans sewing machine so I used my iron and hemming tape for all the unfinished edges.
    I bought 2 spring-loaded curtain rods, bought a sewing maching and made a rod pocket at the top of each, and then hung them in front of the floor to ceiling bookshelves on either side of my murphy bed in my spare room/scrap room. Check out the photo here:
    http://krysworld.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-scraproom.html
    You’ll have to scroll down and you can see the curtains closed and open…

  10. I love the little detail at the bottom of the curtain (I hadn’t noticed that in the bathroom’s debut)! We have a shower with curved glass doors so we can’t really do anything to make the space more fun but I may save this idea for when we do!!

  12. I’ve been debating using sheets as curtains in my apartment, since I’m a total cheapskate. I think your flat sheet shower curtain might be the tipping point! 😀

  13. Cute! I sew even less than you do, but I made a shower curtain and valance out of sheets. I found a sheet with a pretty floral border and bought two (I think mine are full size because they are wider than yours). For the curtain, I put the border on the bottom and used grommets on top. For the valance, I cut a foot or so of the border and made a pocket for the rod to slide through. It’s one of my few sewing projects that was actually usable!

  14. Love this! Back in the day when I sewed everything, I used sheets for shower curtains, window curtains, table cloths, slipcovers, you name it, my place was covered with sheets. Its great! And I love the pattern, very very cute.

  15. SUPER CUTE!!!! I forget about sheets but will do that in the very near future. I love this bathroom makeover.

  16. I was wondering if you were going to give us the dets oh how you made it. Thanks for the inspiration! The closest I’ve gotten is when I moved I no longer needed my shower curtain the bathroom, it’s a stall stlye. But my closet was the plantation shutter door type without the doors. Guess where I put the shower curtain and rod 🙂

  18. I just looked at my current curtain and I think its time for a change! I never realized how much better it would look if it went straight to the floor. Thanks for this post!!

  19. I used a duvet thrown over a curtain rod and strategically pinned it to my miniblinds as my “roll-up curtain” so I love this idea! I never thought about sewing button holes in a sheet for a shower curtain, so now I will be sure to look at the clearance section for sheets!

  21. Nice work! It looks awesome. I used 2 clearanced cotton shower curtains to make a duvet for my daughter. Kinda the opposite of your project.

  22. Two questions:

    1. Suggestions on a nice sewing machine for a beginner to grow into (I could easily obsess about this and grow into an intermediate).

    2. WHERE does one get an extra long liner? my shower curtain that flaps in the wind is driving me nuts, may need to do this also!

    Thanks!

  24. I’ve used a tablecloth to make a curtain, and I love fancy napkins from Anthropologie as pillows!
    And great job on the buttonholes! I sew all the time, but for some reason buttonholes are my kryptonite!

  27. Hi Lounytoon –
    I have the basic Singer that sells for $75 at Target…sometimes a little more, sometimes a bit less (if it’s on sale) and it does all the simple stuff. But honestly I have no idea what I would even recommend 🙂
    And the extra long liners are available at Bed Bath & Beyond…we also picked one up at Home Depot but it’s not as heavy duty so it’s really up to you whether your shower would need extra protection!
    xo – kb

  28. I love using sheets for lots of things: tablecloths, curtains, quilts. I made a shower curtain a few months ago (not with a sheet this time). It’s full of ruffly goodness. I LOVE it, but now after seeing yours, I kinda wish I had made it a little longer… Oh well, it seems like the floor is always soaked after my kids shower in there, so maybe it’s ok to be on the shorter side. 🙂 Here is mine: http://pulloutaplum.blogspot.com/2011/06/shower-curtain-love.html

  30. I really like Kenmore sewing machines. I think they are like generic Janome. They are definitely not $75 though… 🙂

  31. I know how to sew, and I looooove BLTs… For the record, if you can make a buttonhole, you can’t be that bad at sewing, KB!

    You know how it is when you picture something in your mind and then you just can’t find it? I needed fun pillows for our family room. I looked all over for soft but durable fabric in brown and turquoise, maybe with some green and/or orange thrown in. I also wanted random circles on the fabric. Couldn’t find anything anywhere… until I found some curtains at Bed Bath & Beyond. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?sku=118964& I snatched that up and used it for the fabric on my pillow. I felt like Wonder Woman!

    Good luck getting ready for this weekend. xo

  38. Check IKEA for long vinyl liners. Our shower curtain isfloor to ceiling so we stock up on clear plastic liners when we make an IKEA run. When they get soap scummy,we use them as painting drop cloths.

  39. This shower curtain looks great and I wish I could make button holes that nicely. A friend of mine once lived in a very skeezy apartment that had no insulation. I made a curtain that I backed with some quilted material that she used as insulation. I made a smaller curtain to enclose the area under the sink in that palace. Yes, disgusting. Later the mice that lived in it probably used it as the curtain for their theater so that they could put on mouse productions while she was at work. I have also used a sheet as backing for pillows and table runners and purse liners. Basically, I have rocked the sheets. Bam.

  42. That looks great! I wish I could do this. I don’t think I have the sewing ability…. But I love the way it turned out. And I love that you put the top of the sheet at the bottom. The detail is great!

  43. That is brilliant. I would never have thought to use a sheet for a shower curtain. And btw, your sewing skills totally trump mine so kudos to you!

  44. You can get a 1/2 size or 3/4 size Janome/Kenmore for less than a full-size. They have most of the features of the full-size (read the descriptions to make sure it’s got everything you want), and plenty of power (can sew through heavy fabric just like the full-size). They’re also smaller and lighter so they’re easy to move and store if you don’t sew that often. I got a 3/4 size Janome (green with a Hello Kitty pattern! it’s adorable) from Target online for $100. I’ve also seen them online at Overstock, Amazon, and Joann’s.

  45. Great job! I’ve used a flat sheet as a window curtain and a curtain panel as a shower curtain. All that’s left is using a shower curtain as a sheet or duvet cover!

  49. I love how cheerful that curtain looks! Forgive my ignorance, but it seems like it’s common in the US to use any kind of curtain fabric along with a liner (which I presume is waterproof?) in showers – is that right?

    Are there any specific fabric types that are better? Are there any issues with the fabrics getting damp/musty/mouldy?

    I’m sorry to ask what are probably stupid questions there, but here in Australia shower curtains are all plastic curtains, and it can be hard to find nice ones, so the idea of using any old fabric backed with a liner is a little bit exciting to me!

  50. I had trouble finding a fabric that I liked for my baby girls nursery (we were set on a paisley print), so my mother in law suggested looking for sheets and we found the sweetest girly paisley print sheet set that she us going to turn into drapes and a bed skirt for the nursery. I can’t wait until it’s done! It’s amazing to me that a set of sheets could inspire a whole room!

  52. Looks great! I’ve used sheets for shower curtains many times, always a great alternative, so many choices! Oh, and I’m easy, will sew for blt’s any time, give me a call- I have a serger, too, if that will help…. 🙂

  53. Katie,
    Love how resourceful you are, I would have never thought to use a sheet has a shower curtain. I will have to try this! Also I really like the look of the new blog!

  54. I don’t know where to put it…so I’ll pick here. I LOVE the switch up, change up on the blog page. Is it for fall? Or cuz you just like to keep us on our toes 😉

  55. Was just checking your blog for another post and noticed immediately a brand spankin’ new design! So fitting, and simple! Love the tagline too. Great upgrade, and the leaves add a nice touch for fall!

  56. YAY! Thanks! And yeah…I just get bored with the look from time to time so I figured it was time for warmer colors and a new tag line 🙂
    xo – kb

  61. I used a duvet for a shower curtain – I thought I would get lucky and be able to use the button holes on the duvet but it didn’t quite work out that way. I ain’t so hot at that sewing thing so I got my Maw to hook it up – get it hook it up – shower curtain – HARDY har! Ok focus. The link for my curtain… http://eatdrinkanddecorate.blogspot.com/2010/06/thinking-outside-curtain.html

    Love the transformation to the jack-n-jill bath! Oh and good luck on the “jill” thing (getting preggers) xoxo kt

  63. This is adorable! For the longest time (as in, until we bought a real couch), my husband and I had a full-sized futon in our living room. We used this same sheet (but full, fitted) for a slipcover for the futon mattress. Worked like a charm!

  65. Wow never would have thought to do this, it’s genius! Every time I have to wash the shower curtain I don’t bother I just throw it out and buy a new one because without fail every time I wash the waffle weave style shower curtains I love it shrinks so for the last year I’ve gone through three of them since it’s not worth washing only to have a dumb looking shrunken shower curtain. I def need to make one from a sheet!

  66. I love the stripes! I am in the process of lifting the curtains in our bathrooms to create a bigger feel and this is a great idea. I recently purchased (in the clearance section) two shower curtains for $4.99 that I loved the pattern – but not for the bathroom. I took the curtains and cut them down and covered the pillows for our patio furniture. They were a deal, they look awesome and they don’t mind a little moisture!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the latest via email!