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Anybody got these made and ready? If you have neighbors within any walking distance, people will probably be by your house just looking for provisions. You're probably gonna be one of the few houses in the area with lights at night, and sometimes common sense will save you a whole buncha bullets. A lighted window is like a beacon screaming 'I got supplies, come rob me!!!'
I suggest making them and putting them with supplies in case you need them. Make one for every window of any room you plan on having a light at night.
You can get 'blackout material' at any fabric or upholstery shop. This is the same stuff you see lining hotel curtains to keep out the light. (Make sure you ask for 'blackout', not just drapery lining). It doesnt have to be sewn, you can simply cut it to size and hem over the top edge to slip over a curtain rod. some upholstry materials will do, but I really recommend the blackout material if possible. The cost is about $5 per yard, but its a good investment.
To make a full size window, for example, a 36" x 60" window, you will need to double the width of the window in order to have enough coverage, othewise you'll have gaps at the edges. Since this fabric comes in 54" widths, that doesnt add up, but thats ok. If you dont know how to sew or dont have anyone to sew for you, you can still make this curtain and 54" will do. You'll just have to tack it at the edges of the window. I prefer to have extra width so I dont have to tack it, and I just feel a bit more protected. To get the extra width, you can sew two 54" wide strips together, or even one full and one strip split lengthwise, to make the width you need. If you dont sew, it can be safety-pinned together too. Just pin it every 2" with the material overlapping, so you dont have light seeping thru.
Length: if the window is 60" long, cut the fabric at least 12" longer, at 72" so that it extends a good bit past the window. You wont have to hem it at the bottom, but you will need to make a pocket at the top for a rod. You can get skinny cheap curtain rods at the dollar store. You can probably pick some up at a yard sale. You wont have to install them until you need them but just have them ready. Make sure the rod extends out about 5" each side from the edge of the window (46" rod for the 36" window). THese rods can go under your existing curtains, so that the blackout material will be next to the window. Double over the top 2" of fabric to make the pocket, sew a straight seam to secure it or pin it every 2-3" to make the pocket for the rod. Then slide onto the rod and make sure it extends past the edge of the window. You might want to pin it down or tack it down at the edges, if it seems a little skinny. This is why you want to double width of the fabric if possible, so you wont have gaps at the edges.
I prefer a single piece over the window as opposed to two panels that split in the middle, because you will always be dealing with a crack of light down the center of the window. This curtain can be slide sideways over to one side of the window in the daytime to let sunlight in.
I can try to take some pictures if anyone needs them.
Loshali
I suggest making them and putting them with supplies in case you need them. Make one for every window of any room you plan on having a light at night.
You can get 'blackout material' at any fabric or upholstery shop. This is the same stuff you see lining hotel curtains to keep out the light. (Make sure you ask for 'blackout', not just drapery lining). It doesnt have to be sewn, you can simply cut it to size and hem over the top edge to slip over a curtain rod. some upholstry materials will do, but I really recommend the blackout material if possible. The cost is about $5 per yard, but its a good investment.
To make a full size window, for example, a 36" x 60" window, you will need to double the width of the window in order to have enough coverage, othewise you'll have gaps at the edges. Since this fabric comes in 54" widths, that doesnt add up, but thats ok. If you dont know how to sew or dont have anyone to sew for you, you can still make this curtain and 54" will do. You'll just have to tack it at the edges of the window. I prefer to have extra width so I dont have to tack it, and I just feel a bit more protected. To get the extra width, you can sew two 54" wide strips together, or even one full and one strip split lengthwise, to make the width you need. If you dont sew, it can be safety-pinned together too. Just pin it every 2" with the material overlapping, so you dont have light seeping thru.
Length: if the window is 60" long, cut the fabric at least 12" longer, at 72" so that it extends a good bit past the window. You wont have to hem it at the bottom, but you will need to make a pocket at the top for a rod. You can get skinny cheap curtain rods at the dollar store. You can probably pick some up at a yard sale. You wont have to install them until you need them but just have them ready. Make sure the rod extends out about 5" each side from the edge of the window (46" rod for the 36" window). THese rods can go under your existing curtains, so that the blackout material will be next to the window. Double over the top 2" of fabric to make the pocket, sew a straight seam to secure it or pin it every 2-3" to make the pocket for the rod. Then slide onto the rod and make sure it extends past the edge of the window. You might want to pin it down or tack it down at the edges, if it seems a little skinny. This is why you want to double width of the fabric if possible, so you wont have gaps at the edges.
I prefer a single piece over the window as opposed to two panels that split in the middle, because you will always be dealing with a crack of light down the center of the window. This curtain can be slide sideways over to one side of the window in the daytime to let sunlight in.
I can try to take some pictures if anyone needs them.
Loshali
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