Blackout Drapes & Shades
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Blackout Drapes & Shades
Sun blocking for infant room windows
Aug 2008
We are expecting a baby in a few months and want to install blinds
or curtains on our bedroom windows that will block daytime light
so the baby can nap, but preferably not make the room sweltering.
We are renting and the windows are oddly shaped, so we're looking
for something simple to install and inexpensive. If anyone has
suggestions of a type of window treatment to try or a place to
shop for them, we would greatly appreciate it.
Loren
I recently bought black out drapes online from Target. My
windows are odd shapes but with a curtain rod it is easier to
get around that. There were about $70 and have helped my 10
month old sleep 10-11 hrs at night and take two solid naps/day
in her crib. Wished I had gotten them sooner!
Kim
Don't use a shade, actually. You want the kiddo in the first
few months to learn the difference between sleeping at night
(sound sleep, uninterrupted) and sleeping during the day
(short, less sound) in order to become a good night sleeper!
We did get just a cheap vinyl shade for my daughter's room
because the sun comes up so early in the summer mornings and
they actually work like a charm!
Sunny Side
Blackout Drapes
April 2008
We want to put blackout drapes in a few of our windows. We've
used the pull-down shades before, but didn't feel like they did
a good job of keeping light out ''around the edges.'' Our
windows are very wide, which is another reason we don't think
the pull-down kind will work out. So I'm thinking blackout
drapes, like the kind in hotel rooms, might be better.
Where can I find these types of drapes? I'm clueless as to the
stores that offer them, and I'm not a seamstress at all, so
making them myself is out of the question. Any suggestions or
alternative ideas are much appreciated!
Thanks!
We bought the blackout drapes from Bed Bath and Beyond. They
did a good job blocking out most of the light, but still had
the same problem with the light around the edges. Another
problem we had with them, which may not be relevant to you, was
that on the few occasions when we wanted to pull them back to
let the sunlight in, it was nearly impossible to do so. The
casing at the top that goes over the drapery bar is pretty
narrow, so you can't slide them to the side, you have to use
some sort of tie to gather them up around the middle and pull
them back that way. But they seem to have accomplished our main
goal, which was to keep our new couch from fading. Now that I'm
thinking about it, though, the drapes may have come with
magnets to attach and keep the bottoms and sides
together...guess we should have used those...make sure you
check the package to see if those are included.
Albany
I happened to be in Ikea recently with my daughter, looking at
window coverings. We weren't looking for blackout drapes, but I
noticed that they carry a type of drape specifically recommended
for people who have to sleep during the day, or want to watch TV
during the day, etc., and need to keep the light out completely.
They were plain-colored, and seemed to be made of a special
fabric so they weren't so heavy as motel-hotel-type drapes. I
thought they were pretty cool!
--Rarely shop at Ikea
We got our black-out curtains at linensource.com. The light
still comes in the edges. When I need it really dark, I just
use a little scotch tape in critical areas and stuff a towel at
the top and bottom. Other than that they have worked really
well in terms of getting our toddler to go to bed at bedtime
now that it is still light out.
Darkened Room
Bed, Bath and Beyond has black out drapes. Bring your 20%
coupons in-- one for each curtain!
LogicalMama
We got some from Bed Bath & Beyond 3 years ago- not cheap but
they get the job done (save up those 20% off coupons!) They
have a nice feature where you can thread a magnetic strip down
the edges, and thus get nice closure down the middle. These
blackout curtains can be used solo, or you can hook them onto
the back of preexisting curtains. We did the latter, which
helps them span the width a little better (we have some very
wide windows and two blackout panels alone just barely cover
the window. )
Linda
I am no seamster (?) either, but I was able to get the
''blackout'' fabric at the fabric store on Broadway (at
College) and use big loop stitches to existing drapes. They
look the same from the front, but they block out the light
nicely. Depending on how you hang them, light can still leak
out around the top/edges, even with blackout drapes. There are
L shaped plastic things that are attached to the inside edges
of the window edges that will address that. You'll find them
in hotel rooms. I couldn't find them locally but you can order
them online. I've also tried using the blackout shades, with
fabric (window dressing) hanging down the sides and top.
Rich
March 2006
My baby's room has french doors that let in a lot of sunlight. I would like to buy or
make curtains for the french doors that keep the sunlight out. Where can I purchase
blackout fabric? Also, can I sew this fabric to the back of the curtains?
anon
We bought blackout panels at Bed Bath Beyond. They were about $40 for
two panels with a magnetic strip down the middle. We're using them to
cover a door as well, and they really do block out the light. The
package might not make this clear, but they do have loops along the top
to attach to curtain hooks. The directions explained how to do this.
We're just using them plain (less attractive, but easier!). You might
open the package in the store to see if it's what you're looking for.
Rebecca
We had the same problem, with sliding glass doors in our new baby's
room, facing the rising sun each morning. I went to Bed Bath & Beyond
and bought some thick dark denim/navy blue curtains (the tag says
''ink''). They don't block out 100% of the light, but I'd say a good
80%--perfect for the baby to sleep in daylight, but so we can still see
what we're doing if we go in there.
They're cotton/polyester, but look like cotton, & have an abstract
floral/leaf pattern (but all the same dark blue color, so you have to
look closely to see the pattern).
The top has those contemporary ''tab top'' loops, so we just installed a
bar across the top with 2 holders attached to the wall at either end
(also available at BB & B), and it works GREAT. The tag says Brentwood
Designs. The curtains will also be usable and stylish for years to
come, when it's no longer a baby's room!
Good luck,
Heidi
I hand stitched black out fabric to one set of curtains and machine
stitched it to another. They have it at poppy and stone mountain and
daughter. it is sometimes called 'eclipse' it is basically rubberized
muslin. recently it was on sale at the outlet on san pablo and ashby. it
is well worth the effort!
Jessica
I bought some blackout fabric panels on ebay. I used it to line some
roman shades and it works great -- comes with hooks to attach to inside
of existing curtains and magnetic tape for closures.
MKM
You can get blackout panels at Bed, Bath and Beyond.
If you want more eco-friendly try Gaiam.
Good luck!
anon
poppy fabric sells blackout fabric on broadway near college ave and you
can sew it to the back of your curtain, though if you want the room to
be really dark, my husband cut pieces of wood to fit in the window like
a frame and put the fabric around the wood so no light seeps in around
the edges. simple to do if you have a saw.
day sleeper
Black-out shades
Nov 2003
Our neighbor has very sensitive motion-detector lights. When
it's windy, they go on and off all night, keeping our 22-month-
old from sleeping. We currently have towels on the window.
We'd like to buy black-out shades, but, since we rent, don't
want to pay to have them custom-made. Where can you buy black-
out shades?
sleepy
I just recently ordered blackout curtains online through
www.countrycurtains.com . They come in several ready-made
sizes, and the prices are reasonable. I can't comment yet on
how effective they are, because I haven't yet received them,
but this was the cheapest source I could find.
Diane
Joanne's carries blackout fabric if you are making your own.
I got black poster boards and taped them onto the window using
packing tape. May not look very appealing but so far works. I
just cover them with the regular blinds so they are out of sight.
Inexpensive solution.
Sarah
I actually have some very nice brand new (in original
packaging) black out roman shades that I had purchased a
month before we (unexpectedly) moved from our old house.
We moved just past the 30 day refund period so I have been
holding them hoping to find someone interested.
I would be happy to email you specifics and would be
pleased to get 50% what I paid for them.
Let me know if you're interested.
LESLIE
I recommend Alcatraz Shade and Blind Shop on the corner
Telegraph and Alcatraz. They have ''ready made'' plain black out
shades that are cut to length while you wait (about 20
minutes). You need to provide the window measurement. I found
this to be the most ecomonical way to get total black out.
lap
Most motion detectors have switches to contol sensitivity, have you asked your
neighbor to make an adjustment? If that's not a possibility perhaps it's
something you might be able to yourself on a windy night when no one will
think twice about the light going on and off.
As for curtains, if you're handy you can buy pretty dense cutains at IKEA
(there is no place cheaper). Use Sew On Velcro for the curtain and affix
Sticky Back Velco to the inside of the window and you can get a pretty tight
seal.
For Velcro try http://www.textol.com/ The first link on the left is for
exactly what you need (I'd suggest Black Sew On Velcro ''Loop'' fo the curtain
and beige Sticky Back Velco ''hook'' for the window)
If you're not handy, and no one has a better sugestion, how about a nice
cotton eye mask. They're also quite useful for travelling. Not sure where to
get one, though.
bed bath and beyond has blackout shades (in el cerrito at the
el cerrito bart station shopping center), i recall they were pretty
reasonable and also long.
anon
I would recommend buying roller shades at Home Depot. They are
available in a ''room darkening'' thickness. Measure the window
and then Home Depot will cut the shade to size for you. I think
they block the most light when you mount them on the exterior of
the window vs. the interior - i.e. buy it big enough to cover
part of the molding, not just the window glass. These block
much more light than blinds, and you never have to worry about
cords posing a choking hazard. If light leaks in from the
sides, you can always hang curtains too.
I have also heard you can buy blackout curtains at Bed, Bath &
Beyond, but I've never looked for them there.
anon
I bought some at the longs in the shopping center at 51st and
Broadway in oakland. Last isle toward the back. They are made
to fit any range of windows. They install easy. I put them up
with my 12 month old ''helping''. I think they were pretty
cheap , too. $10 -12 each? Email me if you need more info
Rochelle
Hello. I don't know where you can buy actual shades with
blackout fabric, but, if you want to be economical, you can buy
blackout fabric and just hang it on the windows like a curtain.
Call around to several fabric stores to see who carries it.
Good luck!
Elaine
Go see Dave at the Berkeley Shade Shop on University. They had
the lowest prices I found in Berkeley and he will cut the shades
for you. We too have sensor lights and had them readjusted to
point towards our house so that they wouldn't go into our
neighbors' windows. Have you talked to your neighbors about
doing this?
Elizabeth
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