- Fabric for draft stoppers should be of medium to heavy weight. Consider repurposing used drapes, jeans, skirts and pants for this project, or find the new fabric of your choice. Confirm that your thread and needle are compatible with the weight of your fabric.
- Stuffing options include dry corn, dry beans, rice, aquarium gravel, play sand and kitty litter, but consider whether you will be tempting mice with your stuffing and how it likely it is to get wet. Add potpourri or fragrance oils to the stuffing if desired. Another option is to save needles from your Christmas tree and use them as a fragrant stuffing.
- If you desire to decorate your draft stopper, embroider, cross-stitch, sew on buttons, decorate with fabric paint, use beading or do some appliqué. Create animal themes such as snakes and mice. Piece your fabric together if you like a quilted look.
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Measure the area where the draft stopper will be placed. The average door is 36 inches wide, but measuring gives a more specific starting point. Add 3 to 8 inches to your measurement for seams and draft zone overlap. If your draft stopper will be in an area with limited space, such as a window ledge, you will want to take that into consideration. 8 inches wide is workable for most spaces, but adjust as desired. For a more customized measurement, double the height or width of your drafty area and add 2 inches to figure the width of fabric needed.
Cut your fabric to the needed dimensions, fold right sides together and sew up one end and the long side with a 1/2 inch seam. Use a yardstick or dowel rod to turn the stopper right side out, then fill with your chosen stuffing. Tuck 1/2 inch of fabric under at the open end and sew shut. Decorate as desired. - For a door with a wide gap between the it and the floor, there is an alternative. Measure the width of your door itself and add 1 inch for seam allowance. For the width of the stopper, double the thickness of the door and add 12 inches. Sew only the long sides, right sides together, until you have tested the width on your door. Into the wide tube, slide two pieces of round foam pipe insulation cut to the appropriate length. Test the width by sliding the tube under the door with one piece of foam on each side of the door. It should stay in place as you open and close the door. Adjust as needed. When you have the needed width, sew one end closed, turn right side out, replace the foam tubes and sew up the remaining opening.
Comments
drafty said
on 11/13/2009 Draft Decor stops fireplace drafts instantly
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