DIY // boho ice dyed draft stopper

The last few weeks of winter are the worst! It’s when you really start to notice all the tiny things in your home that make it so cold. Small details, like an old window or drafty door begin to take their toll. So when Joanna mentioned that her tiny bungalow had a drafty door, I knew just what project share next: a draft stopper! We used a fabric dying method from our most popular post, how to ice dye, for a boho-chic look that matches Joanna’s living room.

Keep reading to learn how to make your own!

Tools

• sewing scissors
• sewing machine (optional)
• plastic tub
• drying tray

Materials

• 100% cotton fabric
• soda ash
• black procion dye
• 5 lbs of rice
• thread
• ice
• iron
• sewing tape measure

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Full instructions on how to ice dye can be found in our original post, but here’s a quick refresher: add soda ash and warm water to a plastic tub and submerge the fabric you’d like to dye for 10-15 minutes. This helps breaks down the fibers and makes them more receptive to the dye. It’s a crucial step and not to be skipped!

Next, squeeze out the excess water and arrange the fabric on a drying rack over a plastic tub. Completely cover your fabric with ice (we ended up using about ice from 2 ice trays), then sprinkle the dye powder on top.

To achieve the soft grey look, we actually used quite a bit of the black fiber reactive dye, so don’t be afraid to add a lot. Allow the ice to melt and drip through for 24-hours, then wash, dry, and iron your fabric.

Now it’s time to turn that ice dyed yardage into a draft stopper! Cut your fabric into an 8-inch wide strip and fold in half lengthwise. Cut to fit the length of your drafty door, remembering to leave half and inch on either side for seam allowance.

Thread your sewing machine and begin stitching the end of your folded piece of fabric. Make sure you double-back and reverse at the beginning and end of your stitch to secure it shut. You don’t want any rice slipping out the end!

Next, sew the long side of your fabric, creating a tube with one side open. Again, be sure to reverse stitch at the beginning and end to make sure nothing comes loose.

Turn the tube of fabric inside out so the seams aren’t showing, then carefully fill with rice. We recommend pouring the rice into a container with a spout first, then use that to fill the tube of fabric.

You’re almost there! Fold the last end with the raw edges tucked inside and hand-stitch your draft stopper closed. Just pick up a stitch on either side of the fold so your stitching is invisible.

Make sure your stitches are nice and tight!

That’s it! How cute does our ice dyed draft stopped look with the door tassel and glossy black door??

Photography and styling by Jojotastic. DIY by Material Delight for Jojotastic.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think of this draft stopper tutorial! And if you make one, be sure to post a photo and tag @jojotastic on Instagram so we can see.