How to make a draught excluder

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• How to make a draught excluder

If your home is prone to draughts, this hand-crafted bolster cushion is perfect.

What you'll need

* 3 pieces of fabric, one floral, one velvet, one linen
* 91cm long by 20cm-diameter bolster cushion pad (£29, Design-a-Cushions)
* Broad button braid
* Piping cord

1) Cut one main panel of floral fabric, 30cm by 65cm; two panels of velvet fabric, 25cm by 65cm; and two of linen, 15cm by 65cm. Cut two 19cm-diameter circles in floral fabric for the end pieces, plus an 8cm by 15cm strip for the carry loop. For the piping, cut enough bias strips of linen fabric to fit twice around the diameter of the cushion when joined, plus 6cm.

2) With right sides facing and matching raw edges join the two linen panels to the floral panel along the long edges, taking 2.5cm seams. Repeat to join the velvet panels to the remaining long edges of the linen panels. Press open seam allowances.

3) Right sides facing and matching raw edges, fold in half along the length and pin then tack along the seam line of the long edge. Remove pins. Starting 2.5cm in from one end, stitch 10cm along the long edge, fasten off and repeat starting 2.5cm in from the other end. Press open the seam allowance.

4) With right sides facing fold the carry loop strip in half along its length and press. Stitch one short end and the long edge taking a 2.5cm seam. Clip and trim the seam allowance, turn through and press. Fold in half widthways to form a loop and press again. Set aside.

5) Cut the bias strip in half then fold lengthways and press. Insert a length of piping cord into the fold and tack in place. Right sides facing and matching raw edges all round, pin and tack the piping in place inside one end of the bolster cover taking the excess into the seam allowance. Remove pins. With right sides facing and matching raw edges, pin and tack one round end piece over the piping (see illustration below). Remove pins and machine stitch all round and through all layers taking a 2.5cm seam. Clip and trim the seam allowance.

6) Repeat to join the remaining bias strip and the second round end piece to the other end of the bolster cover, this time inserting the two raw ends of the carry loop between the piping and the round end piece.

7) Remove tacking from the centre of the back seam and turn the bolster cover through. Pull the cover on to the cushion pad, making sure it fits snugly into the two ends. Slip stitch opening closed and remove any visible tacking.

8) Cut four lengths of button braid, each to fit around the cushion plus 2cm. Pin one length of braid over one panel seam, turning the excess under where the two ends meet at the back seam allowance - you may need to remove buttons from the trim to do this. Slip stitch braid in place over the seam and remove tacking. Repeat to attach the other three lengths of button braid over the remaining panel seams.

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