Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

kethry

mumoftwo wrote: »

That sounds brilliant, how did you make it? In squares? Please tell, I would love to make a quilt like that and the jeans idea really appeals to me.. have you got a picture? thanks a lot

I made a quilt a year or so ago, using some denim cut from some jeans OH was throwing out.. i have to say, denim can be quite hard to sew through (not so much for single layers but when you get into multiple layers!) so do take this into account when making a quilt... i found when i got to the stage of stitching through the quilt to append all three layers together, that the machine was really struggling with the very thick material where the seams were. I wouldn't use denim again for a quilt (although for a bedspread, where there's no batting material in the middle and no appending (i forget the proper name for it) might be different).

keth
xx

dawnylou

Which would be the best - hot water bottle or microwave bear??

pennyocs

i just cut the denim into 6" squares and stitched them together i didnt actually quilt with any wadding or filling i just put a single sheet(car boot purchace)on the back as i found it was heavy enough just with the denim.so its not actually a quilt but a patchwork bedspread.i made my baby daughter a quilt out of all her first baby clothes ready for her first single bed

SusanCarter

pennyocs wrote: »

i made my baby daughter a quilt out of all her first baby clothes ready for her first single bed

That sounds lovely, do you have a picture you can post?

cheerfulness4

dawnylou wrote: »

Which would be the best - hot water bottle or microwave bear??

If I was using it with a very small child I would choose the microwave bear. Otherwise either is good. We have HWBs but I'm making rice bags for during the day when we need a bit extra, as they are quick and cheap to heat and I'm not worried about my son heating them himself.
He's 13 so knows about not overheating them in the micro and they're safer as he's still a bit cack-handed when screwing lids on HWBs so I'm always scared he'll scold himself.

judderman62

make_life_easier wrote: »

When you get cold put on a few layers of clothes as this will keep you warm.

That just sounds like a Viz top tip :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

susan1

happygal wrote: »

If you are E7 get a timer so you get set your washing machine to come on during your cheapo time.

Would 2nd towels as draught excluders.

My house is like a fridge in winter and when you in the bathroom you can see your breath so am going to have to fork out for a fan heater in there - are they expensive to rum?

be careful about putting any sort of electric heater in the bathroom unless its fixed high up on the wall, water and electric don't mix:sad:

Fruball

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread - I have read every page LOL and have a serious eye strain headache now but at least my bills might be a bit lower this winter :T

So, my printer is off as I am not printing today

I dried all my washing on the line today and finished it off for 15 mins in the tumble dryer instead of the usual loooooooooooooong time

My soup is finishing cooking with the residual heat instead of bubbling it for way longer than necessary.

My HW tank is turned down to 43 as I have found this is enough for us

I have energy saving bulbs everywhere that will take them

I use the microwave to heat flannel for babies faces instead of running hot water for ages to heat all the pipes etc (and yes I do wait ages for it to cool and check it thoroughly!)

I have turned down the thermostats of the fridge in shed as its only storing booze

I stretch my clothes and smooth out my clothes so no ironing needed needed :j

We put in loads and loads of really thick insulation in our loft - dead easy to do and has made upstairs toasty and warm even tho we only have rads downstairs

I am making a thermal lined blind for bedroom (was going to make one for DDs room but am really worried about her getting caught up in the strings - very dangerous for babies)

Scavenged free fabric from friend to make lovely thick blind for kitchen in addition to venetian blind Will try to get more to make door curtain too.

Am going to make rice/wheat bags for us all out of the remnants

Need a big rug for conservatory as its wooden floor and its FREEEEEEEEEEEZING in there in winter :eek: That room needs more thought as its damn cold and there are no doors into lounge so all heat escapes through there - can't fit doors as it would be too expensive atm - got curtains on lounge side but am going to put more curtains on conservatory side to make cavity wall curtaining :rotfl:

I think thats enough to be going on with !

I remember at a freezing flat I once lived in, taping tin foil and tea towels to the front door to stop the drafts bellowing through - was slightly better but still damn cold.

BTW does anyone know if de-humidifiers are expensive to run ?? I have one in the conservatory as it gets loads of condensation otherwise, even tho its double glazed and reasonably new.

I don't have any elderley neighbours but worry dreadfully about the elderley keeping warm - please do check on your neighbours this winter

carrottopsuk

Will give this another read in light of the hike in electricity prices

sammy_kaye18

carrottopuk

I was thinking exactly the same earlier on - I cant believe prices are going up again. Im dreading it.

I had my bills earlier from Swalec - the gas was £75 and the electirc was £130 which granted is for 3 months but thats pretty high for us (we ar a family of 3 (me, bf and our 3 year old) plus we have turtles who have their light left on allday.

My second airer has been being used enough this winter to help its self - it was free btu im managing to get another load of bens clothes dried quicker.

Im hoping ill be able to find more ways fo cutting the heating costs and fingers crossed we'll get ahead of ourselves come the summer but still im worried.

Think some of the things i need to do are

• i might buy a few more duvets to put under the bed sheets because i think that will help a great deal.
• a rug in the living room will probably help keep it feeling warmer
• might get a bath mat and toilet mat (one that goes round the bottom of the toilet) because that floor is tiled and gets cold in the winter too
• candles and lots of the suckers - everywhere! first for heat and second for light
• need to get soem more energy efficient lightbulbs - got them in the living room, kitchen, hallway - should put them in the bedroom and toilet (cant in the bathroom - wrong fixture)
• dammit i will make rice bags
• put the bed cover over the quilt to help get it snuggly at night

hoping to reread this thread soon, so that i can save a few quid this year