Preparing for Winter

Rummer

I love this thread! SO want to reduce my bills this year and with the arrival of my new sewing machine I am going to do just that by making new curtains and draught excluders! We are also planning on getting the loft insulated and floored and maybe cavity wall insulation. All expensive stuff but will save in the long term!

blueberrypie

karren wrote: »

I read somewhere on here about using fleeces as curtain liners, anyone tried this?
are teh ikea ones anygood? im thinking of using the fleeses with heading tape on them in the living room, as our house is freezing in the winter, and if i can keep at least one room toasty i can go from there, ive got one draught excluder and aim to make some changes over the holidays.
all tips gratefully received x

Yes, the cheap Ikea fleece blankets work well as curtain-liners. I've got them in three of our bedrooms (the curtains in the fourth were already lined with thermal fabric).

I just pinned the fleeces to the back of the existing curtains - they're light enough that they don't need any extra support, and I can easily take the whole lot apart for washing.

Try to figure out where you are losing heat - is there enough insulation in the attic? Are there drafts around the doors and/or window-frames? Keyholes? Often just one or two changes make a dramatic difference - as long as you choose the right things to change.

Rummer

Just booked quotes for the insulation, fingers crossed it doesn't break the bank!

debidoodle

Rummer wrote: »

Just booked quotes for the insulation, fingers crossed it doesn't break the bank!

Rummer we had our loft insulation and cavity wall insulation through Warm Front, they have grants and also reduced prices for people that are not entitled to a grant.

ginnyknit

I dont know what I did before I found this site, its like a magazine for all areas of life!

Anyway was sat contemplating getting ready for winter last night, wondering where to get fleece from - and lol and behold on here is the answer - Ikea, thanks guys. OH is disabled and his bedroom is the coldest so need to really get sorted. Am going to make a sort of foot cosy to slip in the bottom of the bed to pop his hotwater bottle in and, obviously his feet!, I think an old duvet will work. Always popped a folded blanket in the bottom of the kids beds to tuck their toes in but need something that will stay in place better for a man.

newlywed

Primark do cheap fleece blankets later in the year too - only cost a few quid.

Frugalista

Got my cheap fleeces from Asda - think they were only about £1.87 each :money:

fedupandskint

Eliza wrote: »

Wouldn't this be a good place to put clingfilm-type double glazing, you would hardly notice it and it would make a difference and cost virtually nothing.

I tried this and it only lasted a day before it fell down. It took ages to put up and I replaced it with bubble wrap which has stayed up with masking tape and deck tape but I can still feel the heat leaking out of there.

It is much better like that than with nothing but I think the DG might help a bit more with the noise reduction as I live on a busy road and the other window has secondary glazing which does help too.

Don't know who to approach for a quote and who will be reliable and trustworthy in this area. It is only a small pane around 60cm x 30cm but it is leaded and has nice coloured glass which I like too so this might put the price up. Plus the bathroom window is in the worng way round (:rotfl:) and doesn't open and I need a new one in there to help with the v.poor ventilation too. Better get a quote for both then when I scrape enough money together for it! :rotfl:

This thread it great making me think about looking for winter bargains now instead of in winter itself! Off the Asda to look for a cheap fleece or 2!

Savvy_sewing

I dont think the people before me had the chimney swept, was just sitting here when something clattered down the fireplace. Made me jump. Lots of soot now. So I better ask the landlord when it was done. I dont want to have to pay for it to be done if I can help it.! After I have used it yes!
I am already feeling cold today? Got a bedspread wrapped around me, and the curtains shut. Even got my furry slippers with the teddybear heads on to keep my toes warm.
If I can feel the draughts now, I really am going to have fun plugging all the leaks!.
At least its best to know now before the winter arrives. Its only wind and rain at the moment.

verychattyeve

kethry wrote: »

i want to make some lining for the bedroom curtains, some better lining curtains for the living room,


Have you ever thought of getting a thin blanket and sewing it between the lining and the curtain as extra insulation. Thats my mission for this year.:D