We made a warm window curtain from a faded, old queen-size comforter, leftover fabric and clearance curtain panel for $1.50. My daughter needed to cover patio doors facing the north for the winter. On the Great Plains, the wind blows at a good clip out of the south in summer and out of the north in winter, with few obstacles to slow it down.
Both sides of the comforter were covered with a red fabric panel on each side of the red and gold damask curtain panel and gold striped, denim weight fabric as a band across the top. The fabrics were purchased from the 'bargain' tables for $1-$3 a yard in coordinating colors. I attached the fabric to each side of the comforter by top-stitching around the top, sides, then the bottom. Extra length allows draping on the floor like a draft-stopper.
The rod casing is 12 wide tabs sewn to the back so it sits higher to cover the window. It worked better than I hoped and the cost was $3 for the panels since we recycled fabrics from other projects. We doubled up the light weight summer curtains on the other window.
Source: Lessons I learned from my Swedish grandmother.
By Aprilfool from Hershey, NE
Windows can allow the summer sun to heat up your home. There are several products that you can try to help insulate them, from pane coverings to drapes.
To make your home more comfortable, both cozy in winter and cooler in summer, seal for drafts and insulate. This is a page about insulating windows.
