Handmade Fox draught/draft excluder in Mustard colour

Product Information

It takes a matter of minutes to make a plain draught excluder, and if you use interesting fabric it doesn't have to look boring. Or you can turn it into a ECOutletsnake, like the fab vintage ones above. What you need

In this step-by-step tutorial for how to make a draught excluder, we'll show you how to make a simple draught excluder using some left-over fabric from your other sewing projects. You don’t need to be able to sew or even have a sewing machine to make this simple draught excluder and if you’re new to sewing, it’s a perfect beginner’s project. Why making a draught excluder is easier than you may think Use a letterbox flap or brush. Just make sure you measure it first to make sure you buy the right size. The benefit of sewing your own draught excluder is that you can personalise the design by choosing fabrics of your choice and can make sure it’s the perfect fit for where you want to use it. You can even embellish it with some pretty hand embroidery or applique patches so that it ties in fully with the rest of your decor.

Before you buy your draught excluder, there are some factors for you to consider, helping you to choose the best one for your needs.

Optional: To make a snake draught excluder, simply sew on two buttons for eyes and a piece of red ribbon (with a V-shaped piece cut out of one end) for a forked tongue. Buying a draught excluder will certainly help to stop the cold from coming in the gaps at the bottom of your door, but there is more that you can do to stop heat from escaping. The Energy Saving Trust suggest three other areas for you to consider draught—proofing: The brilliance of homemade draught excluders is that you can make them as long or as short as you wish. If you have a patio door or large window with a draught you can make one to fit from a pair of old curtains. Perhaps you have sash windows? Thin draught excluders that are fitted across the sash prevent the wind whistling in. Cut a leg off your tights and fill it with stuffing. When it's full and just a little bit smaller than your draught excluder, tie a knot in the end. A rectangular piece of material, at least 40cm wide and just longer than the width of the door (or you can chop a leg off an old pair of trousers and start at step five)They didn't cost much because I used fabric discarded from some curtains I had altered, and they've allowed me to turn my heating down a notch. So at least I'm saving money (and doing my bit for the environment). Stopping a draught is sometimes what you need more than turning the heating on, a simple draught stopper could save you money as well as stop cold air entering your home.

Internal doors between two rooms only need draught—proofing if they lead to a room that you don’t normally heat during the winter months. Keep those doors closed to stop the cold air from moving into the rest of the house. There are also draught excluders made from the leg of old jeans, an old pair of tights or old woolly jumper sleeves. They can be stuffed with newspaper, rice, lentils, the pad from an old cushion, polystyrene foam, peanuts, bubble wrap or carrier bags – whatever you have at home. You can also make a laminate fabric one, too, which is easy to clean. Once you’ve made one and mastered how to do it, you’ll be able to sew them for all the rooms in your home in no time, improving insulation and making a much more comfortable, cosy place for you and your family. The best door draught excluders and stoppers will also keep noise, light, dust and odours from entering your home as well. What to consider when choosing the door draught excluders:You may think draughts are something that just affects old properties, but even newer homes can experience problems with cold air sweeping through. Doors and windows can have even the slightest gap underneath, creating the perfect spot for cold air to slip through. Can you clean it easily? Some fabrics are easier to clean than others. If being able to give your draught excluder a good clean is important to you, look for one that’s got a removable cover so you can take it off to give it a scrub. Or, better still, choose one with a cover that can be popped in the washing machine for easy cleaning.

As we're slowly coming up to the colder months, there is no better time to learn how to make a draught excluder for your home with our free sewing pattern and simple tutorial.Last weekend I discover my new home is about as well insulated as a beach hut. Everywhere I go there seems to be a draught. As it's a rental property, I have to get permission from my landlord to alter any of the fixtures, so I got out my sewing machine to make some draught excluders instead. Turn the material inside out so you have a long cylinder that is open at both ends, with the prettier side of the fabric on the outside. Stitch together one of the ends - I did this with a row of stitches about 3cm in. You can fold the material over to stitch it. In Australia, sand-filled draught excluders are called door snakes. All you need is a soft filling that is compact enough to prevent draughts and you can get started.