Appalachia--Science in the Public Interest

INSULATED WINDOW SHADES

Robyn Arnold & Martha Bond

Making decorative bed coverings has been a part of American tradition since the days of the earliest settlers. Generations of little girls learned to piece the "Nine-patch" from their grandmothers and then passed the art of quilting on to their own grandchildren. Many of the quilt patterns -- "Log-Cabin", "Double-Wedding Ring", "Dresden Plate", etc. are so old that their origins have long been forgotten.

Unlike some other traditional crafts which are disappearing through lack of interest, the popularity of quilting has undergone a revival in recent years. Although traditionally done by women, modern crafters, both male and female, are practicing and perfecting this beautiful and versatile craft.

1. Quilting Techniques & Materials

Quilting techniques can be used to make many other useful and decorative items besides bed covers -- pillows, clothing, etc. Using the craft to create insulated window shades allows us to preserve and celebrate our heritage while solving a very real environmental and economic problem -- the loss of home heat through the windows. For instruction on making solar window shades see ASPI Technical Paper 22, " Quilted Insulated Shades."

Glass, even double-glazed, is not a perfect insulator. The addition of a plastic storm window may trim heat loss through the windows by 50% or more. A quilted insulated shade can meet and exceed this gain, depending on the insulating value of shade materials and the tightness of the seal. Also, unlike the plastic covering which requires frequent replacement, the durable insulated window shade can provide years of warmth and beauty.

The useful life of the shades varies depending upon how often they are washed and the insulating material used. Most will last ten years or more. Seasonal washing can reduce useful life to around six years. The quilted cover of the shade can last a very long time. Ask anyone who remembers the durability of their great-grandmother's quilts. It is the insulating material (aluminized plastic) and the cotton lining which is exposed to the sun that wear out.

2. Creating a Cottage Industry

Hand-crafters are keenly aware of the tremendous time invested in learning and practicing their crafts. As with any art, many of the rewards are intangible, gained from the actual process of creating. Craftspeople who market their products rarely consider the time involved when setting prices. It would be impossible for a quilter to work at an hourly rate, as this would make even a small quilt outrageously expensive. The same is true for quilted window shades. In the ASPI project it took our quilter 72 hours to complete two standard size window shades, doing all of the work by hand. At an hourly rate the expense was well beyond what could be recouped from selling the shades, not to mention the added cost of making the roller attachment for the window. However, if labor costs are excluded, the shade is a very economical item. Of course, when an individual makes the shades for his or her own home there is considerable return from the reduced heating costs. Making the shades requires very little monetary investment if scrap materials are used. The only new products needed are insulating fabric and quilt batting.

Making and selling shades as a cottage industry requires a major adjustment in the production process. In order to increase the number of shades produced per unit time, it would be wise to piece and quilt the covers using a sewing machine. Granted, machine quilted covers do not have the same aesthetic charm as those made by hand, but the machine greatly speeds up the process and makes payment on an hourly basis more feasible. Materials can be purchased in bulk -- some as scrap or remnants -- making the sewing machine the only major investment. Shades could either be fitted to several standard size windows and produced in quantity, or contracted for individual dwellings. Actually, individual contracting could be very successful, as many people would appreciate and pay for the opportunity to choose patterns and fabrics to match the decor of their homes. The current marketability of environmentally sound and yet beautiful items makes a small community or individual business producing quilted insulated shades a very promising venture.

Added Note: Often senior citizens, especially older women, are left out when it comes to environmental improvements. Making insulated window shades is a way to enlist them in the process. Quite often older women know how to quilt, have the time and talent, and could even produce a window masterpieces that could live on after them as their contribution to local resource conservation. Some success has been achieved in recruiting older people to contribute to solar window shade creation.

REFERENCES & RESOURCES

Fitzgerald, Phyllis L. Twelve Insulated Shades. Louisville, KY: The Urban Alternative Homestead, 1983.

Langdon, William K. Movable Insulation. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1980.

McKim, Ruby Short. 101 Patchwork Patterns. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1962. (Original work published by McKim Studios in 1931).

Shurcliff, William A. Thermal Shutters and Shades. Andover, MA: Brick House Publishing Co., Inc., 1980.

Resource for insulating materials -- SHELTER INSTITUTE, 38 Center St. Bath, ME 04530 (207) 442-7938.