Draft dodgers

I was trying to think what these would be called. I did a Google picture search for “draft dodgers.” Sure enough, these came up. But so did a picture of a hippie, which made me laugh. Well, we don’t need to have a discussion about war, but chilly houses? Maybe so. My first draft dodgers I purchased online, I guess before I could sew. Now I feel like a fool, because they are really easy to do.
I filled mine with cedar because it’s supposed to be a bug repellent. In order to be able to change the cedar or empty the tubes for washing, I sewed a Velcro opening.

Supplies

(Click fabrics for direct links for purchase at Warehouse Fabrics Inc.)

Python chocolate/natural

Cedar chips

Velcro
1 yard of fabric, cedar chips like you’d use in a hamster cage and 8 inches of Velcro.

The pattern

Cut a length of fabric as long as the door you’re blocking, plus 2-1/2″. Make it 9″ wide.

For my sliding glass door, I did two 9″x38″ pieces. Since I had 1 yard of fabric, I turned it the other direction, so keep that in mind if you have a directional print.

1/2″ seam allowance.

The process

Fold your fabric right-sides together, lengthwise.
Sew one short end and all the way up the long end. Leave the other short end open.
Press open your seams a bit.
Fold your open end down 1 inch and press.
On the right side of the fabric, place a 4″ piece of Velcro near the edge and start sewing along the top. (Line up the edge of the Velcro at the seam.) When you get to the other edge, lay the other side of the Velcro down and continue all the way around.
Then sew along the bottom edge of the Velcro all the way around.
Turn your tube right-side out. Fold your open end down another 1 inch. Now your Velcro is on the inside, as shown at left.
Sew 5/8″ or 1″ from open edge around the open end of the tube to secure the hem.
My hem is shown at left, if you look closely. Press your tube nice and neat.
This is the tube with the opening closed up. I have seen these draft blockers made to look like snakes. This python fabric would be perfect, if you’re so inclined to add a tongue and eyes.
Fill with cedar. This can be a messy job, so I went outside to do it. Mmmm. Smells good. Looks good. Keeps bugs at bay and the cold out. That’s quite a lot for such a simple project!

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