I made them for my daughter's room...love them. I can answer some of your questions. Be sure to wash the drop cloths first as they definitely shrink. I cut the drop cloth in half and used one cloth cut in half for each window that is about 34" wide and I added a panel on the bottom out of a different fabric to coordinate with her room and used blanket binding in another alternate color and sewed it where the bottom panel meets the drop cloth fabric, if you know what I mean. I am not a skilled seamstress by any means so using the blanket binding was a perfect shortcut for sewing on the embellishment look I wanted. I am sure there are some experts out there who will answer your other questions. Good luck and I think you will like them.

We have extremely temporary drop cloths as drapes in our storefront; however, the method I used "take out of bag, look for stains and seams, clip to rings and put on poles" is not one I recommend. Our insurance company insisted on window treatments (in the final phases of construction!) and there was no way I was going to put up actual WTs since the window measurements are 5' wide and over 10' tall.

That being said, I actually like the color and texture, so I will be interested in how people make them look better. Especially since my MIL will be here next month :-)

I checked out drop cloths as curtains, but was put off by the strong odor. I think I only checked at Lowes & Home Depot.

I ended up going to a chain fabric store and bought similar looking fabric (muslin? burlap?,) cut to the exact length I wanted, without the smell. The price was about the same.

I used iron-on hem tape on the bottom for a clean line. For this particular fabric, the side edges were pretty and didn't need a hem. I just folded over the top and hung on clip rings. I was able to adjust how much the drapes pooled on the ground by folding over more/less of the fabric on top. I did this for all of the drapes in my home. All ended up being custom sizes.

RE: best distance between clips.... that depends on if you like very tight, uniform looking creases.... or larger, less-uniform looking ones? I have both in my home. Try 7 inches on one panel and try 10 inches on the other.... They will look quite different. It's very easy to change it and add more rings if you need to.

RE: width.... most single-width drapes are 48"-50", I think. Those are normally just for framing a window (not for closing the drapes/covering the window.) I have 50" muslin framing some smaller windows and it looks just fine.

(PS. I have never used a sewing machine in my life.)

I wanted to go cheap because I change my mind about every 6 months so I was all over trying that drop cloth idea. BIG waste. The drop cloths carried by Home Depot now are kind-of gray looking..(Even after bleaching twice) Walmart which carries a better color has a seam across the middle . I didn't try the ones at Lowes because I read on line somewhere that they have a seam as well.I think the hardy material is better suited for slipcovers.

Ended up getting the attached fabric on sale for 4.99 a yard(5 yards).Which ended up costing about what I paid for 2 drop cloths.
Try one first ...You can always use it as a DROP CLOTH ..

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat2143&PRODID=xprd1067183

I'm using them as a change for my winter bedding from my usual silk panels. I like their texture.

I used two for each window, because I like fullness, with 7 clips each curtain: end, end, center, two each between center and ends, and they hold fine. I didn't hem them since they're behind the nightstands, but they do tear evenly, so you could tear them the length you needed, then hem.

I washed and bleached them 3 times in hot water, then ironed them. I think if you want them as light as possible, you could leave them in bleach water for a day. Mine never got white like those you see on the blogs, and one of them looks pinker than the other three, but it's not that noticeable. I used HD. HTH!
Dee

Thanks everyone for the feedback and suggestions. I'm going to head out to Home Depot to check them out.

I did find this blog that had some good information about this, though seems it's all over many blogs. I am debating between doing the clips or putting the tape with the plastic rings on the back and then hanging with drapery hooks.

Dee: I haven't decided if I'll bleach them yet or not; guess it'll depend what I choose for the bedding and paint.

Here is a link that might be useful: On the V Side - Drop Cloth Instructions

I have them and got the ones at Lowe's. I folded them over at top and made a hem. Which makes a nice size valance then i got fringe off ebay and sewed that across the valance. Everyone that has seen them always ask how i did and it. If there going to be stationary and not closed it would not hurt if there was a seam. If folded right seam won't show anyway.

I got mine from HD and used 8 panels for a 9' window and an 6' french door. I did fold them over and clip at first, but I pull them closed every night and they got terribly droopy after a while. I just hemmed them this weekend with the iron on hem tape, which stiffened up the top and made them look much nicer when I pull them aside. I still do have to "stage" the top a bit though.

Once the budget allows I may buy some fabric and add some detailing a la this blog.

Here is a link that might be useful: black detailing on dropcloth drapes

tracie: Wow, those are really lovely with the black bands at the base. As I'll have a set of nighstands in front, mine will be just plain but in a different room I can see that making a stunning combination.

I did pick up two panels for DS's room. I had to ask a salesperson at HD to bring down a box for me to look at. She just wanted to give me the top one in the box as I had another from a box at floor level. She looked at me rather strange when I told her I needed to look through the whole box to find two that matched because I was making them into curtains. I did notice quite a bit of variation between the cloths. I'm thinking of using a black rod on top.