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The Sew What’s New Archive

This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-11-2004, 03:49 PM (1 of 22)
Is there anyway to make curtains that let in light but keep the cold out? Right now I have sheers on my windows but they don't do a darn thing to keep out the cold. They do however let the sun in.
I know there probably isn't a way to do this but I figured if anyone knew how it would be the wonderful people on this board.

Thanks,
Gina
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures
Pfaff 2040
Janome Mylock 134D
Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch
Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001
Total posts: 1375
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-11-2004, 08:33 PM (2 of 22)
no curtains that do that, no, but you can always put that transparent film OVER your windows, that seals the windows so that NO air comes in...you can buy it at your local home improvement store....all you need is a measuring tape, scissors and a hair dryer. (to 'shrink' the film...) You don't see it and it keeps your house warmer...
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-11-2004, 09:05 PM (3 of 22)
Chrys can you put that on the outside of your windows or does it have to go on the inside? My windows go to the floor and I have little ones who like to stand at the window and look out. I am sure that it wouldn't hold up to kid's and a dog pushing on it all the time.

Thanks,
Gina
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures
Pfaff 2040
Janome Mylock 134D
Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch
Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001
Total posts: 1375
From: Sherri
Date: 01-11-2004, 09:47 PM (4 of 22)
The film does not work with kids and animals. Can you get storm windows for you windows.

Sherri
My website
User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001
Total posts: 357
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-11-2004, 09:58 PM (5 of 22)
sorry....don't know nothin about kids....and haven't had a dog in about 20 yrs....but I DO know the film doesn't stand up to stress of any kind and you can't put it outside because of the weather...
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: mamahoogie
Date: 01-11-2004, 10:27 PM (6 of 22)
Just wondering...how cold does it get in Texas?? We are about 10 above 0 F here and with the wind chill it's about -21.
Violet :Canada:
I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002
Total posts: 461
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-12-2004, 01:31 PM (7 of 22)
It has been dropping down in to the 30's at night. Not that cold when you compare it to what some of you experience but when it is in the 70's then drops to 30 it feels down right ccccold.

I think we just need to invest in some good quality windows. The darn things aren't even glass and they are single pane. I was just trying to figure out something to do until we can afford new windows.

So what kind of fabric should I use just to keep the cold out?
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures
Pfaff 2040
Janome Mylock 134D
Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch
Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001
Total posts: 1375
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-12-2004, 01:35 PM (8 of 22)
Sherri,

I missed you post about storm windows. They would probably think I was nuts if I asked for those here!!! I haven't seen them since I lived in Illinois. But I think I'll ask anyway. So what if they think I am nuts right?
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures
Pfaff 2040
Janome Mylock 134D
Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch
Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001
Total posts: 1375
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-12-2004, 01:58 PM (9 of 22)
I didn't even think of this earlier (duhhhh...)...why not put some plexi glass on the outside (or even on the inside) tape it or cut it to fit the windows...(it doesn't cost much, it's transparent, if it cracks or falls down, who cares... and it'll solve your heat loss problem...you don't even have do do the whole window...1/2 or 3/4 would work...) and you can buy it at your local home improvement store.....
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-12-2004, 02:51 PM (10 of 22)
Chrys,

Why wouldn't I have to do the whole window? I am confused.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures
Pfaff 2040
Janome Mylock 134D
Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch
Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001
Total posts: 1375
From: shadylady
Date: 01-13-2004, 12:00 PM (11 of 22)
Can't you just make panels that hang on a rod with rings or a traverse rod, and mount them far out so they clear the window during the day and close at night? You can use any fabric, but line with a thermalsuede lining and interline with warm and natural. You'd also need to add returns to the sides, to keep the cold from coming in at the ends.
User: shadylady
Member since: 09-19-2003
Total posts: 58
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-13-2004, 02:47 PM (12 of 22)
What are returns?
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures
Pfaff 2040
Janome Mylock 134D
Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch
Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001
Total posts: 1375
From: Sherri
Date: 01-13-2004, 02:54 PM (13 of 22)
So your curtain goes around the corner.

Sher
My website
User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001
Total posts: 357
From: shadylady
Date: 01-14-2004, 03:55 PM (14 of 22)
Yes, instead of ending at the end of the rod or pole, extra width is added, so the panel bends and goes to the wall. It's measured from the rod to the wall, typically 3 1/2 or 5 1/2", or however far the rod is from the wall. Think of a cornice board, which has sides. These sides are called returns.
User: shadylady
Member since: 09-19-2003
Total posts: 58
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-15-2004, 01:30 AM (15 of 22)
Thanks! I am clueless when it comes to home decor.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures
Pfaff 2040
Janome Mylock 134D
Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch
Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001
Total posts: 1375
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-15-2004, 05:52 PM (16 of 22)
shadylady,

You said to line with thermalsuede and interline with warm and natural. Are you refering to quilt batting? If so would I then need to make channels or something to keep the batting from bunching?
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures
Pfaff 2040
Janome Mylock 134D
Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch
Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001
Total posts: 1375
From: shadylady
Date: 01-15-2004, 08:24 PM (17 of 22)
Gina,
No, it's not quilted. It's more like a thick, heavy interlining. You could use regular interlining, instead, for that matter. The thermalsuede lining insulates in itself, but adding interlining adds extra warmth and makes the panels look nicer, too. The Warm and Natural just adds extra warmth. You can get it at Joann's Fabric, and use a 50% off coupon. Anyway, you don't have to make channels. Just baste it to the top of the fabric, smooth it out and it'll cling to the fabric. Then just treat the two as if they were one fabric. After that, it's not any more work then just sewing the lining on.
Becky
User: shadylady
Member since: 09-19-2003
Total posts: 58
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-15-2004, 08:51 PM (18 of 22)
Becky,

Thanks for all your advice. Will the warm and natural hold up with repeated washings in hot water? I have asthmatic children so anything in their rooms made from fabric needs to be washed this way on a regular basis.
Thanks!
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures
Pfaff 2040
Janome Mylock 134D
Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch
Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001
Total posts: 1375
From: shadylady
Date: 01-16-2004, 09:21 AM (19 of 22)
Gina,
I didn't know you where planning on washing them, but Warm and Natural is supposed to keep it's shape and not bunch with repeated washings. However, I don't think the Thermalsuede lining is washable. I'd have to look into which lining is washable. I know Homespunfabrics sells a blackout that's washable, but it's not cheap, plus it completely darkens, and I don't think that's what you're looking for. What fabric were you planning on using? Most home dec fabrics are not washable either. You'd probably need a cotton twill or denim, which will be washable. Sheets might not be heavy enough to provide the warmth you need.
I'll let you know about the lining, if there's one.
Becky
User: shadylady
Member since: 09-19-2003
Total posts: 58
From: Pudge99
Date: 01-16-2004, 12:21 PM (20 of 22)
Honestly I don't know what fabric I plan to use. I figured it would have to be some kind of cotton to hold up to the repeated washings. For the kids rooms and my kitchen I plan to use a novely print cotton. But the rest of the house I just don't know. Denim does not sound appealing. I am just picturing bluejeans hanging on my windows and thinking ewww.

For a lining I found this that is machine washable and has the added bonus of being waterproof incase a window gets left open.
http://store.yahoo.com/phoenixtextiles/ur-440.html
Do you think it will work it says it is insulated?
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures
Pfaff 2040
Janome Mylock 134D
Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch
Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001
Total posts: 1375
From: shadylady
Date: 01-16-2004, 02:08 PM (21 of 22)
I just came in here to tell you to use a 100% cotton lining, and that is what is on Phoenixtextiles. Yes, I would use that. I suggest you wash everything first, in hot water, machine dry and press. This way everything will preshrink now, and you won't have any surprises after you make them. Denim does come in other colors, but twill is good. Home dec fabrics do come in washables, but the only place, other than wholesaler's, that I know of to buy retail, would be that Homespunfabric place, I mentioned earlier. But their prices are high.
Becky
User: shadylady
Member since: 09-19-2003
Total posts: 58
From: MariLynnTX
Date: 02-20-2004, 11:33 AM (22 of 22)
In our house, we had double-glassed windows and they worked very well. I'm in an apartment now and the windows are single-paned, but on the south side, so I don't really feel the cold because the place is quite well insulated otherwise. Why not buy clear plastic and hang it behind your sheers? It wouldn't keep the little ones from looking out the windows any more than sheer curtains would, and would be inexpensive. I live near Austin and the weather has been pretty awful here lately, I agree! MariLynn
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001
Total posts: 256
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