FAUX FUR EXCLUDER ~ Now That You Are Home...

I know you are asking “what is an excluder”... "do I really need one of these things"? The answer is an excluder is something like a trap (cage) that keeps pests (rodents) out. And yes, if you cannot tolerate the pesty winter chill from entering your home, then, most definitely you need a few. This furry little excluder, pun intended, is the perfect protection you need to keep the cold out and the warm in. There is no other practical (and dare I say, ever- so -slightly- sexy) way to keep the draft out and still maintain a level of style to your winter décor. Armed with this totally functional, yet fashionable excluder, your home will remain comfy and toasty all winter long.

Snug and good looking, a most fetching winter style for any window.

Looks a little like a small animal lying on your floor, but it's not...

This is what you will need-

Faux Fur

Ribbon

Scissors

Pins

Needle and Thread

Straight Edge

Marker

Rice

Even if you do not sew or have access to a sewing machine, you can still make this excluder with a little help from your local seamstress or dry cleaner that does alterations. Cut and pin your excluder, give them directions, and let them do the sewing, it is just a long rectangle. Very simple.

I purchased my faux fur from a local fabric store, there were at least ten different styles of faux fur (who knew?) and endless colors to choose from. You can also purchase my fur…Link here. I purchased 1 1/4" yards of faux fur fabric.

Measure the length of the door, or window you are planning to place your excluder.

I plan to make two, one for each side of the French doors in my family room. The length of each door measures 38” long. I will cut the fabric two inches longer than the door. I would like my excluder to be 10” wide, and I will cut the fabric 2” wider. So, for finished measurements of 38” x 10”, the cut measurements will be 40” x 12”.

Along each side of your fabric, there will be a finished edge, the selvage. If you look closely there are small holes where the fabric was attached to the loom. These need to be removed.

Turn your fabric over so the back side of the fabric is up. Lay your fabric on a flat surface and mark a line the length of the selvage with a marker, using your straight edge as a guide.

Cut and discard salvage.

Now measure and mark on the back side of the fabric your measurements (40 “ x 12”).

Cut out.

Measure 10” of ribbon and cut.

Fold the ribbon over and stitch together ½” from the cut ends.

Fold your cut fabric down the middle the length of the excluder as shown, fur side in.

Pin the ribbon loop to one end of the excluder as shown.

On the cut length, find the middle. My cut length is 40”, so the middle will be at 20”. Place a pin to mark. Now, measure 4” to the left of the middle and pin, and measure 4” to the right of the middle and pin, as shown. This 8” length is the opening, where you will turn and fill the excluder. You will not sew in this space.

Double pin the opening. This is a reminder to stop sewing at the opening.

Pin the remaining cut edges of the excluder, matching the cut edges together. Tuck any fur back away from the cut edge to the inside as you pin.

Starting at the folded edge, sew all the way around to the first set of double pins. Stop and reverse your stitches to reinforce where you start and end sewing.

Pick up presser foot and cut threads. Move presser foot to the next set of double pins, and continue to sew all the way around to the end.

Take care to stop and remove pins as you sew, you do not want to sew over any pins.

Reinforce the seam by sewing a second row of stitches over the first stitches. You never know if a 14 year old boy may decide to use your excluder for batting practice in your basement. Just speaking from experience.

Cut any threads and turn your excluder right side out. Slide a pair of scissor inside to gently push the fabric to square the corners. Take care not to poke a hole through the fabric. And don't forget to remove the scissors. Double check to make sure there are no remaining pins left in the fabric.