Let me show you how a DIY boxy door blocker can block out light or even a draft.
I’m fanatical about sleep. Not only MY sleep but my kids’ sleep.
Although I will admit that since starting this blog, I’ve been going to sleep later and later as most of my work is done in the evening.
Anyhoo, I still love my sleep. I’m super crankypants if I don’t have enough sleep and so are my kids.
My son was a terrible napper as a baby and used to wake up at 5 am until I made blackout curtains. I’ve made them for every bedroom in the house.
My daughter’s room is off our bright foyer so light pours in under her door in the early morning.
I’ve found another solution for that too!
Check out how to make your own French inspired boxy door draft (or light) blocker.
You can see by this photo that the foyer has a lot of light and the bedrooms are right off of it.
I found that by blocking the light coming from under the door helped a lot with sleep.
It even helps with sound.
For years I’ve been using this pink rolled up blanket (that I’ve had since I was a child).
It really isn’t the greatest looking. So I made my own.
SUPPLIES:
- sewing machine
- fabric (the one I used is no longer sold but this script fabric is similar and this one)
- cotton batting
- dry beans or lentils
- iron & ironing board
- scissors
TUTORIAL:
1.Cut four pieces of fabric into the length of your door (plus 1 inch) by 3 inches wide and two pieces cut 3 by 3 inches.
2. First sew the four pieces of fabric together along the long sides.
3. Press the seams down with a hot iron.
4. Sew the two long sides together with the print facing in.
5. Sew one of the small square pieces to the end with the fabric facing in. Sew the opposite end just three sides.
6. Turn right side out. Fill about 1/4 with dry beans. Lay the fabric on the floor and evenly spread out beans along bottom.
7. Stuff with cotton batting on top of beans using a long ruler to push the cotton to the end and shuffle the beans around the bottom so they try to stay evenly put.
8. Hand sew the last edge of end in place.
I love that it’s boxy and fits in the door jam perfectly!
Of course the boxy door draft is a little French 😉
No more light getting in now.
Don’t you love a DIY project that is pretty yet practical?
Make sure to pin it for later!
See more…
LIZ says
October 16, 2014 at 6:57 pmThat looks terrific! I need one! You lost me though at sewing machine 🙂 On another note, what color are your walls? Love it!
Jamie says
November 14, 2014 at 11:49 pmhaha, you’re too funny. Check out my house tour page for the house colors. I have all my colors listed there 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Tara says
October 16, 2014 at 8:59 pmIt’s perfect, lady! I love it! (I need to take a cue from you and do some sewing) – Also, where do you get all of your crocks (like the ones under your bench in the foyer?). I’m on the hunt for one to hold my utensils in the kitchen.
Jamie says
November 14, 2014 at 11:49 pmThanks girl. I think you got a crock recently so you don’t need any help, ha! I’ve had those crocks for 15 years!
Hugs, Jamie
Mary Ortis Creighton says
October 20, 2014 at 1:51 pmThe end result is very nice looking. The only thing I might do different is to sew the long pieces together, leaving a gap unsewn in the center of one seam. Then sew the squares onto the ends before turning it right side out. I think it would be a little easier to stuff it that way.
Jamie says
November 14, 2014 at 11:50 pmGreat idea, Mary! Thanks for the tip 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Julie says
October 21, 2014 at 11:01 amLooks great and the beans idea is so clever.
Jamie says
November 14, 2014 at 11:58 pmThanks Julie 😉
Vicky says
October 22, 2014 at 12:15 pmHow about cutting 5 pieces and sandwiching the beans between the extra strip and the bottom strip. Would that be enough weight? Sew two strips on top of each other, stitching both sides and leaving one end open to slide beans into. After placing beans, stitch using original directions. Might be a little more difficult to stitch together with beans. Think I will give it a try.
Jamie says
November 14, 2014 at 11:56 pmLove it!! Great tip, Vicky 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Krista thehappyhousie says
October 25, 2014 at 6:11 pmAwesome Jamie!! Our front door is totally drafty…I better get on this (my husband likes the old ugly rolled towel look… me, not so much – I’d rather be cold:)
Jamie says
November 14, 2014 at 11:55 pmhaha, yes get on it, girl!
Hugs, Jamie
cherishedbliss says
October 28, 2014 at 5:29 amI love this Jamie! We have a few attic doors upstairs that could use something a little more pretty than an ugly rolled up towel! : )
Jamie says
November 14, 2014 at 11:54 pmThat would be perfect! I get the ugly rolled towel, haha
Hugs, Jamie
Judy says
October 28, 2014 at 5:47 amWhat a clever and stylish idea. I will be featuring this at my Fall into Fall party that opens at 8pm EST tonight. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. Thanks. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
Jamie says
November 14, 2014 at 11:53 pmThanks again, Judy 😉
Hugs, Jamie
monika bourderioux says
October 30, 2014 at 6:00 amLove colors you have used! Love it
Jamie says
November 14, 2014 at 11:52 pmThanks so much, Monika.
Hugs, Jamie
Mary Ortis Creighton says
November 15, 2014 at 11:39 amI put my draft blocker between my storm and inside doors. It stays in place better, but we tend to trip over it. I have been tossing around the idea of adding a strip of magnets to mine so it could work better inside the house on my steel door. I wouldn’t have to remind everyone to put it back then!
Jamie says
November 18, 2014 at 2:59 pmYes, that would be a great idea for an exterior door for sure! Thanks for stopping by, Mary!
Hugs, Jamie
Ivory says
February 11, 2018 at 6:51 pmPractical and fabulous, I love it!
Jamie says
February 20, 2018 at 12:45 pmThank you so much, Ivory!
Hugs, Jamie