Sometimes readers will send me some great tips and ideas, which I like to pass along to others.  I'm sure everyone does some "curtain / drape" changing in their home as the furniture style changes, etc.  Even with no changes, curtains do get dusty, so the best thing I know about dusty curtains is "because dust gathers on sheer curtains of any synthetic material, soak the curtains in cold water before washing for as long as it takes to remove the surface dirt".  WOW! New curtains without having to buy new ones -- well, at least they're CLEAN!

A couple of other curtain ideas include:

1. Instead of throwing away old draperies, try making placemats out of them - make some matching coasters as well.

2.  Old draperies could be transformed into little doll blankets for the children.  See the little eyes light up because you've made something special for their "baby".

3.  Twin flat sheets make great curtains for a child's room.  You can use the design of your choice, and they're already hemmed!

4.  Bath towels make excellent bathroom curtains.  Either hang them with the clip rings, or turn down one end for a casing.  Use ribbon, or some other trim for the tie backs, or just let them hang.

If you have other uses for old draperies or ideas for new, just pass them along to us with a comment.