New uses for old sheets

Lone sheets take up much-needed storage space. You probably have a sheet or two that you rarely use but haven't thrown away. You know you might need it for something someday, such as a toga party or quick ghost or mummy costume, right? Instead of hanging onto it with the best of intentions, put it to good use now.

Here are a few ideas that will make you look for sheets to use at garage sales or thrift stores, if you don't have a handy spare at home.

PICNIC CLOTH: Use it in a park or at the beach. It's larger than a beach towel and lighter than a blanket. Makes a great tablecloth on a picnic table, a protective drop cloth in the trunk of your car, a seat cover for after the beach or bedding for camping.

CURTAINS: A flat sheet is easy to use as a curtain. Slide a rod through the top hem. This works well for shower curtains, sliding glass doors and closets that have the doors removed. Or make simple valances.

In a child's room, you can make a curtain and suspend it from a tension rod hung in a doorway (or a swing door closet) to make a puppet theater, too.

RAG RUGS: Cut sheets into strips and crochet, knit or braid into rag rugs. They make beautiful handmade gifts.

CRIB SHEET: Part of your sheet might be worn, but you might be able to salvage a smaller section. Sew a crib sheet for someone you know who can always use a spare. Directions can be found at www.bundlesoflove.org/sheetpattern.htm. Along the same lines, if you have spare flat sheets that you seldom use, you can make them into fitted sheets. They work well as quilt squares, batting or backing, too.

PILLOWCASES: Use one of your pillowcases as a pattern and make more from your flat sheets. You can get six standard pillowcases from a large sheet. Add trim for a finishing touch.

APRONS: If you sew, sheets can be made into aprons. These make great gifts. A little chef would love one.

PETS: Use them to make pet beds, or call the Humane Society and see if they need any.

INDOOR TENT: Bring them out for this purpose when kids are over. They love them so much that they'll want to eat lunch or a snack in their indoor tent. Graciously send them home with one.

BABY WIPES: Cotton or flannel sheets work well for handmade cloth baby wipes. Cut 9-inch-by-9-inch squares (or round the corners) and serge or zigzag the edges.

DOLL CLOTHES: Sew baby doll or Barbie doll clothes for the little girl on your gift list. Visit www.allcrafts.net/dolls.htm for patterns or create your own. Can reuse a sheet as a pattern that will hold up longer than a paper pattern, too.

GARDEN: Cut strips and use to stake up plants or to cover plants if there's a frost.

DECOUPAGE: Give an old dresser a makeover by using decorative sheets and Mod Podge. Cut the sheet material to fit the drawers. Visit the Vintage Sheets blog for a tutorial. You can use a sheet to line the back of a bookcase, too. Leftover material can be framed and hung as art. Or staple batting and a section of sheet to cover a bulletin board. Criss-cross thin, ribbonlike lattice and use brads or tacks or hot glue buttons at the intersections to make a French memo board.

Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village ( www.frugalvillage.com ), a website that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. To send tips, comments or questions, write to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or e-mail sara@frugalvillage.com .