Making Old-Time Window Quilts

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Instant insulation for $20!

When I was little and my grandfather was building our home “up in the sticks” of rural Massachusetts, we lived in three rooms plus an enclosed porch while the second phase was being added onto the back. It would become another two bedrooms and a bathroom, but for one winter I recall, it was enclosed but not insulated or finished, so an army surplus blanket hung in the roughed-in doorway at one back corner of the kitchen.

Even in the finished part of the house though, my grandmother noticed that sitting next to a window, though it were near a heat source, felt cold even though the salvaged windows had been installed tightly and well caulked.

The back of my house faces northwest, but there is a tree line about 75′ back from the house, so wind directly from that direction is less of an issue that it is on the adjacent northeast side. Here in the stormy mid-Atlantic coastal region, as was the case where I grew up, storms called Nor’easters are some of the most formidable things you can imagine where potential for losing heat during the winter is concerned; and there is a span of a half mile or more that is open pasture on that side of the house. The near-constant wind from that direction was my deciding factor on where to start. (As a side note, I’m hoping that eventually, that selfsame wind will power part of a hybrid system I have in mind, that provides me with backup power; but for the time being, saving interior heat is my focus.)Now, granted, this was the early 1950s and the closest thing anyone had to double-pane glass was a regular single-pane window with a storm window fitted on the outside during winter. Fast forward to the high-quality low-E windows I paid dearly for in my new home, and I still noticed last year during our first winter here, that there was a noticeable difference in temperature when I held my hand close to the glass. After having had the walls framed with 2 x 6s and insulated with R-19, I was not about to take losing heat through the windows lightly. I recalled that my grandmother had solved the worst of the problems in that little cottage with old blankets and quilts, safety-pinning them at first, and then later folding over the tops and sewing them, so they’d hang from a curtain rod, and then rolling them up and tying them during the day to let in the light. Just for the heck of it, I did a search online using the words “window quilt” and investigated the first vendor who sold custom-width window quilts (did you know they actually come with draw cords and valences?). It looked like the very thing, updated with some nice details, so I plugged in the width of a number of my windows – 39″ and the length, 60″ and chose their basic fabric, etc. When an “on-sale” price of more than $300 came up for one window, I decided (once my heart started beating again) to do what I always do when I want something I either can’t afford or aren’t willing to part with the cash for: make it myself.

Now, if you have experience sewing and/or quilting, you’re ahead of the game – I’m going from square one here for those who are new to it, or who might even have to find a way to fudge some of the steps. We begin with differentiating between inside mount and outside mount curtain rods. The most effective for heat retention is an inside-mounted rod; that is, a spring-tension rod that is adjusted so it pushes against the opposing inside frames around the window, and the quilt hangs right close to the glass rather than out a few inches and down over the windowsill the way typical draperies are hung.. The reason for this is simple physics: heat rises, cold air sinks, and if you have a surface-mounted curtain standing out a few inches from the wall, the air that is chilled by its proximity to the glass will sink right down behind the curtain, over the sill and into your room. The fact that it’s curved back into the wall and hugs the sides may make it look snug, but put your hand a couple inches below the hem and you’ll see what I mean.

Now, let’s use my window as an example for measurements: 39″ wide by 60″ long. I want my window quilt to be as close to this as I can get it or even a little larger so it actually gets “tucked in” a bit. I’ll aim for a finished size of 39″ wide by the 60″ length plus an extra 4″ to fold over at the top for a curtain rod channel. I confess here to having been sorely tempted to go to the local fabric store and find quilting fabrics in homey plaids and stripes to match the color scheme I like and making something like the local Amish women warm their families’ beds with. But I still work full-time and I wanted this done this winter, (don’t laugh – I have a four year old Valentine’s table runner going that still won’t be done this coming February) so I decided to practice what I preach and set myself a budget of $20 for the whole project.

In spite of having no time for piecing a quilt block, I do like the idea of some kind of seasonal pattern, and I pictured snowflakes on a dark background. A visit to the local craft store yielded just the thing – a nylon, seasonal outdoor banner with a pattern very close to what I had in mind. I compared its price at $7.99 to the same product at the local, national chain hardware store, and it was a bargain by four dollars, so the craft store got my money. The flag only measures 28″ by 48″ however, so I’d have to come up with fabric to sew along both sides as well as top and bottom. It’s a shame it didn’t match the length exactly, as having a channel already sewn into the top for the flagpole would’ve saved me a lot of time; but it’s a lively thing with glittery edges on large white flakes that I’m pleased with.

A search of the attic (where most of my sewing supplies are still packed) rendered nothing I could use for the edging, although I did have an old sheet with a tear that would suffice for the backing. Armed with the $12.01 I had left of my twenty, I scoured the fabric store until I found a flannel plaid I liked in blue, red and gray, as well as a small package of thin, unwoven synthetic batting. A package of wide, red cotton seam binding would make nice ties and I left the fabric store smiling smugly to myself, admiring my receipt for $11.51 – I had brought my project in $.50 under budget. I had also stuck my car key into the door of a beige Dodge Intrepid that was not mine, and was about to turn it when I noticed a baby seat in the back. Who the heck would put a baby seat in my car?! Just then I spotted a diaper bag and some other paraphernalia on the front passenger side seat, and I yanked my key out of the door, praying that the car I had nearly burglarized didn’t have an alarm!

Turning to look around, I found my own car sitting directly behind me, in the next row back, and I made my escape quickly, praying nobody had seen me. Moral of the story – save smug victories for after you get home. Meanwhile, I had a window quilt to make, and while I didn’t complete it in the single weekend I wished, it’s doing better than the Valentine’s Day table runner.

To start, I cut strips to go across both top and bottom that would make up the length plus the 4″ to fold over for the channel; and then did shorter, narrower strips to make up with width. There wasn’t space to set up my sewing machine for this part, and the seam along the sides of the banner was pretty thick, so I tried some fabric glue. I used a brand called Tear Mender, but I’m sure any washable fabric glue would work. After that came cutting and fitting the batting to the back of the banner and fabric “quilt top.” I pinned it so the edges of the fabric overlapped the batting a little (see photo 1) and then ran a line of stitching along it. The batting I had purchased was a bit shorter than the full length of the window, so I left the “unbatted” part (is there such a word?) for the top so the full insulation would come down to the bottom of the window.

Next, the sheet was pressed flat and fitted to the back of the quilt in such a way that a narrow bit of the finished fabric showed along the edge and again, pinned and stitched. I was working on the top of my chest freezer for this, as it’s wide and smooth enough to maneuver the fabric around. Never mind the dust bunnies the quilt kept picking up when the long part drifted down between the freezer and the wall (see photo 2).

Last, a hem can either be done with artful, hidden stitches, or a neat line of machine stitching along the bottom and top; and then a channel for the curtain rod made by lapping the top over and stitching it like a conventional curtain panel. Let down for the night, our snowflake quilt goes with nothing in the room, but is still a far cry from the pastel baby quilts that stood in contrast to the wood axe by the back door in my grandparents’ place (see photo 3).

Rolled up and tied, it will let in sunlight or moonlight, as outdoor temperatures dictate (see photo 4).

If you’re in such a cold area that you hate even uncovering the windows completely during daylight hours, consider mounting a second spring-tension rod with a short “valance” length quilt on the lowest quarter of the window. This will allow you to look out and receive any sunlight that may come in during the day without allowing cooler air to slide down into the room. At night, the top quilt gets unrolled and tucked behind the lower one. I particularly like this idea for the window over my kitchen sink, where the views of deer, birds and the woods behind the house are too precious to give up entirely during the coldest months.

Last but hardly least, I’m sure it’s clear that if either your access to a fabric store or the funds to make this project are a problem, look for things you can substitute, even if only temporarily. The satisfaction of cutting heat loss, blocking drafts and noticing a difference in your heating bill can go a long way toward excusing a bedroom window graced by a beach towel!

Look at your doors as well, and consider mounting a rod over the top inside any that do not have a storm door or vestibule. A “quilt” like this will come down to the floor and serve the same purpose as doorway draperies have in the British Isles for ages.

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Ginny
16 years ago

Thank you so much for sharing your winter window treatments. One thing I found helpful was to keep an eye open for good deals at yard sales or thrift stores for used quilts, or depending on the size of your window, a pillow sham. The quilts can be cut down and sewn to the measurements of the windows. Although if you are decor savy, making them yourself will give you the colours and/or pattern that you are looking for. I have had hand-made big bird quilts in my windows before. Great ‘wrong car’ story!

Granny
Granny
16 years ago

Last year I made a window quilt for my bedroom window.. and I was amazed at the loss of cold air. This project in turn made for a much warmer bedroom. I kept my thermostat at 68 degrees most all winter and this saved on my electric bill. This fall I’m finishing up quilts for my other windows. It will be interesting to see the loss of heating expenses. I can’t wait to do a heating cost comparison.

Pat Veretto
16 years ago

This was certainly a nudge in the right direction for me. I have a large “picture window” that needs to be covered somehow. I hadn’t thought about snugging it down at the bottom, but it makes sense. Now my mind is whirring with ideas, thank you!

Noelann
Noelann
16 years ago

Being a (novice)quilter myself,i wish i had known about these years ago when i lived in upstate NY.Have no need of them much in Fl.now,but hope to move north again someday and will definitely make some.Thanks for the article!

CandaceB
CandaceB
16 years ago

Brilliant suggestion! I had not heard of Window Quilts but am on the prowl for materials to get started with a few this weekend. We just renovated an old farmhouse and the cost of window coverings is staggering plus the fact, most are fairly boring! Thanks so much for sharing the info.

Mariah
Mariah
15 years ago

I have recently joined a quilt guild here in my town and I just took a quilt class last weekend. I am making a Halloween theme window quilt right now. What better way to play with quilt designs than to make window quilts! I wish I could see the photos above, but they don’t display

Greg
15 years ago

huh, I wonder where they went, I will look for them and fix this. The site has been upgraded a couple of times but it should not have lost the images. Sorry for the problem

Cheryl D
Cheryl D
15 years ago

I can’t see the photos either.

Greg
15 years ago

Everyone, I sincerely apologize for the missing photos.

The explanation is somewhat technical. I think I can de-geek it enough by saying that the article is from last year, the photos were placed when we still had the old Countrylife server. That server is no longer with us, I still have the graphics just need to dig them up and post them, I will do this as soon as possible.

Very sorry.

lrose
15 years ago

I had never heard of window quilts either but am going to get busy and make some for our older windows that are still drafty! Our newer thermal windows are draft free but it is too expensive to replace all our windows. Thanks for sharing this great idea.

Cheryl D
Cheryl D
15 years ago

Thanks, Greg. I’m looking forward to seeing the photos.

LisaZ
LisaZ
15 years ago

A couple ways to do this cheap: I asked on Freecycle (freecycle.org to join a local group) for fabric and one person responded with a lot of free fabric for quilting. I also am using old mattress pad tops for the batting. Instead of buying quilt batting I found new mattress pads at my neighbor’s garage sale (someone I know that is clean!) for the kids’ beds and I’ll use their old pads for batting, just cutting off the edges.

I also see nice quilts at our thrift stores all the time, some for cheap and some are brand new!

Cheryl D
Cheryl D
15 years ago

Thanks for finding the photos Greg. As a novice quilter, I need all the visual help I can get.

Greg
15 years ago

you are very welcome, the real thanks needs to go to Sherry. Do enjoy.

Stephany
15 years ago

I recently finished a few window quilts I used top sheets that we had kicking around the house for fabric. We seem to wear through the bottom sheets much more quickly. I posted pictures of a couple on my blog.

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15 years ago

[…] Here is where I found the instructions for making the blankets!  I love the blog at Lehman’s.  I don’t have the fancy ribbons to tie mine up yet […]

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14 years ago

[…] use window quilts […]

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13 years ago

[…] :  +0 / -0  0 score      Pam, I have 2. Here you go Making Old-Time Window Quilts | Lehman's Country Life Make a Window Quilt to Save on Heating Bills. – Frugal Living __________________ […]

Taylor-Made Ranch on Facebook
11 years ago

Love this. It’s amazing the difference in the warmth of the room when you have a window quilt on the window at night – it really does work! ~TMR~

Mary Gauvain on Facebook
11 years ago

I love window quilts!

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