If's a fun challange coming up with low cost ideas. For instance...sheets are great for curtains, duvets, pillow cases. I'm using two tailored table cloths draped over curtain rods in my living room. This evening I sewed pillow cases for two toss pillows using napkins found on sale. Worn out towels are trimmed and sewed double for scrubbies or hot pads. I just saw a neat idea for simple, quick wall art: paint white poster board with glue; apply scraps of colored tissue paper, free form, or patterned, your choice. Matt and frame. It looked sharp. Stef.

-- Stef (sbrogers@csonline.net), January 25, 2002

Answers

When I went to make some insulated roman shades for our family room, I priced material at the local Joann Fabric store and then decided to look at Value City. I got a pair of curtains made of the same fabric I wanted and used that material. It was about half of what I would have paid just for new material. I was able to reuse the tab tops for another project as well.

-- Dena (ddew1962@earthlink.net), January 30, 2002.

Old blue jeans are fun to make things with. You can make anything from quilts to new jackets. I have also made place mats, car seat covers, rugs and purses with them. You could make pilow covers for your couch, baby blankets, coasters, a rag rug, or maybe even a skirt! The skies the limit. Just cut out the good parts and use just like reg. material.

-- Jo in PA (farmerjo02@yahoo.com), January 31, 2002.

Roman shades are great. What other ways do you dress up a window besides the usual tiers and panels. Also, what do you hang on your walls in addition pictures. Share your ideas for something different. Question: can you takes a grapevine wreath and 'undo' it. Perhaps soak it in water to soften it? I've got one I'd like to turn into a garland. Have any of you tried to do that? Stef.

-- Stef (sbrogers@csonline.net), January 31, 2002.

Stef, I am sure soaking the grapevine would work. That is how I do it when I make mine. I just soak the vines in warm water in the bath tub and then form them and let them dry. Don't see why it wouldn't work in reverse. Good luck and let us know how it works.

-- Karen (mountains_mama@hotmail.com), February 01, 2002.