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Across the Fence:  Insulated Drapes/Wall Hanging For Winter:  |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 06 2008 : 5:31:31 PM
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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 |
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kimberly renae
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
kim
southeast
ohio
USA
27 Posts |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2008 : 09:26:55 AM
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You can also re-purpose worn blankets in place of the batting. Batting can get spendy!!
Farmgirl #208
What are you doing with your dash? |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2008 : 10:34:26 AM
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Hi Angie- Yes it can. I found a plain place in Pennsylvania that sells it for about $4-5 a pound which is _amazing_.
I am also looking into the benefits of adding some sort of additional thermal layer on the outside.
Also I am looking at the cost to buy Duvets off Overstock.com to get more of a decorative look as I am having a hard time finding fancy sheets not in a set. However you can always embellish with additional fabric as well.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2008 : 10:38:58 AM
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| Can you clarify what you mean by ripping out the stitches but leaving the preformed tube at one end of the sheet? I would have thought to use a sheet and leave the pre-existing hems completely alone - just sew the new layers on below the head of the sheet. |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2008 : 11:41:33 AM
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Another thing to consider is having a light color on the inside to reflect the heat back into the room. I think this is the year I'm going to start cranking out insulated curtains for every window in my house. I accidentally smashed the entire storm window, casing and all, on my bedroom window. i think that window is first on the list....
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2008 : 12:12:35 PM
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Hi Amie!
If you look at the top of the sheet the where the "head" is, it often has a wide seam of about 4-6 inches. It is folded over creating a natural tube, but then seamed on the sides so that handy tube is all closed off. So if you seam rip just those 4-6 inches you will have a build in curtain tube for the curtain rod. It will make more sense when I get the pictures up- I promise.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2008 : 12:52:10 PM
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| Oh, I get it. I like to use sheets as curtains, and I thought there was usually a "tube" already to go. I must either have bought sheets that don't have the sides seamed at that point or else I flip them upside down when I hang them. (Can't remember). |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2008 : 1:44:32 PM
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You can also put an "emergency" blanket in between layers. You can pick them up for a couple of dollars. I was given some pre-made thermal window coverings years ago by a friend who was going to make them for her house and never did. There were two fabric layers on the outside with two batting layers and an emergency blanket type layer in the middle. I used the same theory and made something similar when those no longer fit the windows we moved into.
Farmgirl #208
What are you doing with your dash? |
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Suzan
True Blue Farmgirl
659 Posts
suzanne
duncannon
pa
USA
659 Posts |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 08:01:25 AM
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| Hey, Alee, did you ever get these made? Do you have any pics? I'm looking to get started making some... |
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JessieMae
True Blue Farmgirl
702 Posts
Jessie
Raleigh
North Carolina
USA
702 Posts |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 08:36:35 AM
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This topic reminded me of a funny story:
A few years ago, I "volunteered" my husband to help an elderly woman at our church hang insulated drapes in her condominimum. She had already purchased the drapes, but she needed someone to put them up for her. We were in the process of moving, and my husband was set to leave the state (forever!) the next day. I assumed it would be a quick 1-2-3 project, since we were only hanging one set of drapes on one big picture window.
First problem: The lady had bought the wrong size curtain rod. It was so long it blocked the door next to the window. My good-hearted husband went home, unpacked a box to find a hacksaw, cut the rod to the right size, replaced the finial, and started again.
Second problem: He hung the curtains, and the woman had a fit because she said they were "too high." They weren't "too high;" she had bought curtains that were too short (she wanted them to touch the floor).
Third problem: My husband tried lowering the rod, but found out he couldn't drill into the drywall any closer to the top of the window. Apparently the window was installed with some kind of metal bracket around the top of the window, and he couldn't drill through it.
Fourth problem: The woman had another fit because of the extra holes my husband had drilled before he found out about the metal bracket surrounding the window. My sainted husband drove home to our house, unpacked a few more boxes to find wood putty and some leftover paint, went back to the old lady's house, spackled the holes, and repainted them. I think it was about midnight when he finally finished.
Looking back, it WAS funny. The whole time my husband was working, the lady kept having her poodle do tricks for us. For a treat the dog would stand on her hind legs and RUN through the house, standing straight up like a person. It was really creepy! |
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homemom
True Blue Farmgirl
1593 Posts
Ruth
Warwick
RI
USA
1593 Posts |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 08:41:42 AM
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If it gets really cold (which is a rarity here) I clip quilts to the curtain rods with clothespins. It makes the house all warm and cozy. We haven't had to do that in a few years. I'm hoping maybe this winter I will be able to, but probably not.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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wild daisy
True Blue Farmgirl
503 Posts
Madelynne
Billings
Montana
USA
503 Posts |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 11:47:46 AM
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Alee I hope to see your handy work on Sunday. I have a few ideas myself on how to keep the cold out heat in.
Madelynne |
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homemom
True Blue Farmgirl
1593 Posts
Ruth
Warwick
RI
USA
1593 Posts |
Posted - Oct 08 2008 : 12:45:48 PM
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Thanks Alee~I know that you have been so busy. I can't wait to see them. I am trying to picture the instructions because I have so many windows. Two of them right near our bed in our very small bedroom and it would be nice to keep them insulated.
Ruth
Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com/ |
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chickabella
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
D. A.
Austin... ish,
Texas
177 Posts |
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yarnmamma
True Blue Farmgirl
4247 Posts
Linda
Clarks Summit
PA
USA
4247 Posts |
Posted - Oct 10 2008 : 09:25:45 AM
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me too!
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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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Oct 10 2008 : 11:59:19 AM
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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 |
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Photobugs
True Blue Farmgirl
363 Posts
Pamela
Post Falls
Idaho
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - Oct 10 2008 : 9:16:37 PM
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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)
www.thomstravel.com (to book your travel & save)
www.ytb.com/thomstravel (own your travel store & travel as an insider) |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Oct 11 2008 : 12:42:22 AM
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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%.
Handmade Soap and More! Try my new Lavender Oatmeal Facial Bar - http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
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vintagetag
Farmgirl in Training
22 Posts
Linda
Cheyenne
WY
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - Oct 11 2008 : 5:31:51 PM
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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 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 07:25:06 AM
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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 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Oct 12 2008 : 09:35:35 AM
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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 |
Edited by - Alee on Oct 12 2008 09:35:54 AM |
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Across the Fence: Insulated Drapes/Wall Hanging For Winter: |
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Insulated Drapes/Wall Hanging For Winter:
