| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 06 2008 : 5:31:31 PM
Okay ladies!
**Pictures to come this weekend**
If we make these now we can be all prepared for winter. These can be made to fit behind your decorative drapes if you have a big enough curtain rod, and if not, I think they look pretty Nifty anyway!
Materials needed vary by size of windows:
Materials:
Large fabric material- Sheets, Blankets, or Quilts are perfect for this. I prefer to pick out a nice looking sheet as the top of the sheet makes hanging easier and they often have nice details at the top as well.
Wool or Cotton Batting. Natural material insulate better, but if all else fails you can use poly batting. See end of tutorial to find ordering information for the best and cheapest wool batting that I have found
Sewing materials such as sewing machine, needle and thread, scissors
**Optional** Sew on Velcro and sticky sided velcro. By 1/2 inch or better as this will have some wear and tear.
Instructions:
Wash material before using. Measure window. Plan for your material to overlap your window by at least 3-4 inches on each side. I like to use a 1/4 to 1/2 inch seam allowance so allot for that as well.
Cut or buy two pieces of fabric to the size of your window plus 8 inches. Lay right sides together.
Measure out and lay down batting to the same size as your fabric. Pin together.
Sew on 3 sides, catching batting in with stitches. This will tack it in place. Reverse your work. Right sides should now be out and the batting should be encased inside the fabric.
Sew a hidden hem on the last unsewn side. I usually plan for this to be the bottom. You can add embellishments such as lace, rick rack, or blanket stitching to make the seams look fancier.
This is your basic Insulated curtain. You can use your curtain hooks to attach it to a curtain rod at this point. Although see extra notes.
Extra Notes
If you are using a sheet, you can open the top of the sheet before sewing. This is often a 4-6 in head to the sheet that is fancier. By seam ripping and then not closing this part of the seam when sewing, you have a built in tube for a curtain rod.
If you are going to use curtain hooks, iron some heavy duty interfacing before sewing in the batting. This will reinforce your fabric for the hooks and weight.
Stick the soft side of velcro to your wall on all sides of the window, mark where this velcro hits your insulated curtain. Sew the scratchy side of the velcro (the hooks) to the wall side of the curtain. Then on the room side of the curtain sew more of the loop (soft) velcro. The idea of this is to press the curtain to the wall creating more of a seal. During the day you can roll the curtain up. The curtain will stay rolled do to the Velcro.
Pictures coming this weekend
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 12:12:20 PM
cool! excellent illustrations! thanks so much!
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
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Yes! I live in the Scranton, PA "The Office" TV show is based on! LOL LOL
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| homemom |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 11:59:45 AM
Thank you, Alee for these great instructions. I have alot of windows and now I need to find some good blankets or sheets on sale~maybe at the thrift store. These will be great for our windows.
Ruth
Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 08:21:26 AM
I will probably use fleece unless I find a really good sale on some twin sized "lap quilts" that I could just sew together and add a space blanket to the inside. I am not opposed to buying blankets if the price of the blanket would equal less than the sum of materials and time, but it would have to be a decent blanket that would last at least a year or two of intense sun and cold.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
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| Homespun Livin |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 08:15:53 AM
Alee, you are a genious!!!! I seriously NEED to do these window quilts. I have 2 indoor kitties and vinyl mini blinds on all of my windows. I hate mini blinds about as much as I do carpet. Between the kitties chewing my blinds and the blinds themselves getting brittle from sun exposure..... well, let's just say I am ready to do away with them. Plus, they are so difficult to keep clean. UGH!! I love this idea! I was considering shades, but I know that wouldn't have lasted. Even though I live in the south, chilly air seems to make it's way around the windows and under the exterior doors. This will help greatly. I remember my mom just tacking up an extra blanket to cover doorways. So, are you gonna use fleece from the fabric store as your outer material? Thanks so much for helping us to get this idea and for showing us how. I also can't wait for your pics. Your diagram was very helpful as well. :)
"Love one another." |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 08:15:11 AM
Ha! Just frost, Rene? We have something like 18 inches of Snow!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
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| ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 08:11:28 AM
Alee, this is awesome~ perfect for us that have these old houses! Thanks for sharing! How are you "fairing" out there? I came home to cold cold weather and frost on the pumpkins... literally!
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
Mae West
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| Suzan |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 08:03:11 AM
Alee, Thanks for doing this, now it makes perfect sense - the trick is to use velcro on both sides of the insulated drape... |
| lisamarie508 |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 07:53:23 AM
Nope, your diagrams were just perfect! Now, on to look through my stash to see what I want to use...
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
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| Alee |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 06:55:19 AM
Glad you can see it, Lisa! I was worried the lines were too thin!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
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| lisamarie508 |
Posted - Oct 13 2008 : 12:59:35 AM
Ok, I see now that you put velcro on BOTH sides of the quilt. Gotcha! And thank you for the diagram.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 10:14:04 AM
Hopefully you can see that as you roll up the drape, the velcro catches it's opposite and as long as you got strong enough velcro it will hold the drapes up at the top. Also, if you have really long drapes, you can put a line of velcro down the center (both front and back) as well.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 10:12:30 AM
I hope you can see this one:
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
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| Alee |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 09:49:59 AM
okay, the next diagram will take me a few minutes to make...brb
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 09:47:23 AM
Here is a diagram of the Drapes facing the room. Notice the Velcro that is affixed to the wall is also on the side of the drapes facing the room. In other words, I put the scratchy velcro on the wall, but if you want the soft velcro facing the room, you can always put the soft velcro on the wall.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 09:39:53 AM
Look at this diagram in conjunction with the first. Imagine the blue square to be the side of the drapes that faces the window. See how the soft velcro and the scratchy velcro would secure around the window?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 09:35:35 AM
Okay- No laughing!
Here is the first Paint diagram of how to put the velcro around the window. In a few minutes I will have one up on how to apply it to the two sides of the drapes.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 09:19:48 AM
I will try to do a diagram today in paint or something. :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| lisamarie508 |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 07:25:06 AM
I get the part about the quilt itself, I'm just unsure as to where to sew the velcro on it so that it could be rolled up and stay. I just had an idea! Alee, if you could draw a diagram, take a picture and post it here, that would help a lot.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 11 2008 : 6:50:27 PM
Those are all great ideas! Don't you love it when brainstorming saves us money?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| vintagetag |
Posted - Oct 11 2008 : 5:31:51 PM
An added idea for thrift store shoppers - I have used mattress pad covers instead of the fleece or batting - works just as well.
Linda
Cheyenne, WY
USA |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Oct 11 2008 : 12:42:22 AM
Alee - thanks for sharing this info. We don't get as cold here as some places but I'm going to do what I can to keep any cold air out. Our natural gas prices are going up 45%.
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PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
| Photobugs |
Posted - Oct 10 2008 : 9:16:37 PM
Don't forget to check the thrift shops for that batting, old blankets. We get them all the time at mine. I brought home some decorator (Victorian/Bohemian style print) that came in (to thrift shop) to make a curtain to block off a room in the back of the house that has no heat from the rest of the other rooms. I have not hung the rod yet, but it was freezing here today so I need to get this done. I got the idea from seeing it used in Victorian houses in old movies...I thought "how smart!" So I determined to do this for the upcoming winter. It will also look nice, not tacky, because the fabric is pretty.
I always get cold at the dining room table during the winter because of the cold air that comes in through this room. So this should remedy this problem
I will post a pic when I get it up.
Pamela
http://homesteadmercantile.blogspot.com/ (my personal blog)
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| Alee |
Posted - Oct 10 2008 : 11:59:19 AM
Awesome! As soon as pay day comes I am going to buy some fun fleece because I just can't find a fabric in my price range to make drapes out of, and I am out of sheets! But they are going to be fabulous!!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Oct 10 2008 : 09:25:45 AM
me too!
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
****************
Yes! I live in the Scranton, PA "The Office" TV show is based on! LOL LOL
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| chickabella |
Posted - Oct 10 2008 : 12:37:05 AM
Subscribing to the convo so I won't miss the pics 
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