Portfolio de Couturier: Door Warmer

by Miss Jocelyn

We live in a very old house, and so there are a lot of places that the cold air seeps in through. I've heard of quite a few very creative ways to insulate your home for the winter at an inexpensive price. Cold air comes right in at the bottom of our front door, so a few years ago Mother Dear took an old rag-towel, sewed the sides in, and stuffed it with old socks and rags we no longer needed. This "door warmer" has served it's purpose ever since. This type of item can be used, not only for the bottom of doors, but window sills and door-stoppers.

I got to thinking about the door warmer. It was made out of an old dingy, rag-towel, and has been there for awhile so it looks pretty on the downside. I decided to remake the door-footer in a more seasonal way. I went to the fabric store and bought some cute winter fabric that will be a wonderful accent to our home over the winter months.

This was a project that didn't require a great deal or money, time, or skill. Just a few snips and stitches, and you're good to go. You can make one for your own home or to give away as a homemade gift!

What You'll Need:

1/2 yard of fabric of your choice
Complimentary thread
Stuffing - store-bought, old socks, or old rags

Directions:

1. Gather all your supplies and make a space where you can work.
2. Spread your material so you can cut it
3. *Take one side and fold it over so it makes 5 1/2inches on each side of the fold.
4. Cut the folded piece off, keeping it folded.
5. *Longways measure 40 1/2inches. Cut off extra material.
6. Fold piece inside out
7. Pin the top together so you can sew the seam
8. Put thread and bobbin on machine
9. Sew the 40 inches side seam and one end seam
10. Turn right side out
11. Tear up stuffing
12. Fill inside with stuffing
13. Sew open end closed. I whip-stitched the other end after I folded in the creases so it didn't have any exposed rough edges.

The door warmer turned out very nice and is now keeping the cold air out and the warm air in. It is interesting that you will find that there are several names for this handy little accent to our home for the winter. It is called a door warmer, a draft stopper, and door runner, to name a few.

I imagine perhaps next year I will do one for autumn as well. There are so many fabrics to choose from for seasonal purposes. Making one that matches your bedroom would be so cute. Like I said you can use these for doors or windows! I'd love to see what you come up with!

Blessings!