Save on heating bills and get nice and cosy this season with a homemade Draught Stopper for doors and windows.
With winter nearly upon us, you’ll be feeling the odd draught here and there – particularly if you live in an old villa like me. It is inevitable the cold will sneak its way in, whether it be though gaps in window frames or under doors. Making bespoke draught stoppers for each door or draughty window allows or a snug fit and a much warmer house!
You don’t need to purchase fabric for this. Be creative. Think old trouser legs/jeans, upcycled curtains etc.
This involves a beginners sewing level of skill and super easy to make.
What do you fill draught stoppers with? Try anything with volume and texture. Think foam, quilting inner, bean bag filling, lightly crumpled newspaper balls, plastic bags or fabric scraps (which I have opted for – or more precisely, old clothes shredded). I’ve read you can use uncooked rice or even dried popcorn, although I think it’s rather wasteful and better suited for dinner or a snack!
The time consuming part is ‘the stuffing’ although it’s loads of fun I found. I was getting quite creative by my third draught excluder!
How to Make a DIY Draught Stopper
1. Use a measuring tape to calculate your window or door dimensions. Too short and you’ll let the draughty air escape — too long and it won’t create that snug fit you need to block the gap. Be sure to allow an extra couple of centimetres at each end to allow for tucking in and finishing off. If the measurement between one door jam measures 72cm for example, allow for at least 75cm.
It is often easier to use one length of material and double it over. Depending on the overall thickness of your desired draught stopper, aim for around 20cm in overall width to allow for adequate filling – making it a new feature of your room, rather than a skinny snake.
2. Pin and cut to measure, then straight-stitch along the long side of the seam, rights sides of the material facing each other inwards. Do the same along one short end.
3. Turn the fabric right-side out. You may need the help of a long ruler to poke the corners out.
4. Sew the short side (so it’s visible) on the end if you wish, as it can then match the other end once it’s stuffed.
5. Stuff it! Pack in as much stuffing as you can for an even fill. Leave enough room at the open end to tuck the raw edges in, pin and stitch close. Massage the stuffing back into any gap you may have created.
