Made-to-measure mosquito net

Tutorial de avatarLow-tech with Refugees - Low-tech & Réfugiés | Catégories : Habitat, Santé

Had enough of mosquitoes? We'll show you step-by-step how to make a mosquito net to fit your window size and keep them out. It's easy to use and can be assembled and dismantled in less than 30 seconds.

Licence : Attribution (CC BY)

Introduction

Mosquitoes are present mainly in summer, and prefer hot, humid climates.

Different species of mosquitoes appear depending on the region, and the most famous: the tiger mosquito, is present almost everywhere in the world. It's hard to avoid, because they are attracted by everything our bodies emit: the CO2 from our breath, our heat, and our body odours (sweat, breath, etc.).


If we recommend protecting ourselves against them, it's because mosquitoes can be extremely dangerous as vectors of diseases, some serious, others fatal (yellow fever, chikungunya, dengue fever, etc.).

They are most common in warm countries close to the hemisphere: Africa, Central and South America and South Asia.


You can also make a screen for a door, but you'll need to use longer materials depending on the size of your door

.

Matériaux

  • Mosquito netting tulle (1m x 1.5m)
  • Fabric (6m x 8cm)
  • Soft Velcro (1m x 2.5cm)
  • Velcro adhesive hook (1m x 2.5cm)
  • Thin strip of wood (1.5m)
  • Linseed oil

Outils

  • Sewing machine
  • Sewing equipment (spools of thread, scissors, pins, ruler, pencil)
  • Sewing tape measure
  • Wall stapler
  • Brush or cloth

Étape 1 - Window measurements

First of all, you need to measure the size of your window. You need to measure the empty space, i.e. the smallest opening, where you can put your hand.

To do this, use a tape measure to measure the height/length and width of the window, as shown in the diagram.


Measuring your window is the essential step in the tutorial, without it you won't be able to make a mosquito net

Étape 2 - The cut-out: Mosquito netting tulle

Using a pencil and a ruler/metre, trace a rectangle on the tulle as follows:

- Width = Width of window + 6 cm

- Length = Window length/height + 7 cm


Cut out the rectangle using the scissors.

Étape 3 - Cutting: Fabric strips

Using the pencil and ruler/metre, trace 4 strips in the fabric:


  • 2 strips for the height of the window:

- Width = 7 cm

- Length = Window length/height + 7 cm


  • 2 strips for the width of the window:

- Width = 7 cm

- Length = Width of window


Pay close attention to the measurements. To do this, take your time and reread this step several times

Étape 4 - Cutting: Velcro

Cut each strip of Velcro (soft and hooked) into 7 pieces of 14 cm.


They will be glued in strategic places so that the mosquito net is taut.

Étape 5 - The sewing

Tulle + Fabrics

Start by pinning the tulle and fabric strips together. To do this, hem each side of the mosquito netting tulle with the fabric, folding the strip over to make a pretty hem.

The fabric is there to ensure that our mosquito net will be strong, even after several uses.

All you have to do is sew the tulle to the fabric, along 2 lines, to secure the whole thing.

Tulle/Fabric + Velcro

The Velcro is then placed on the side opposite the hem (see diagram).

It should be placed on the 4 corners of the screen and in the centre of the left, right and top sides.


You can then sew the Velcro along 2 lines to secure it.

Étape 6 - Stapling the wooden strip

This step is not compulsory, but the wooden strip will make the mosquito net more taut and will be useful for storing it (simply wrap the mosquito net around it)


Placer le tasseau de bois sur le côté qui représente le bas de votre moustiquaire (celui sur lequel il n'y a pas de velcro au centre). Il doit être au niveau du tissu.


Le tasseau de bois doit se trouver sur le côté opposé au velcro


Vous pouvez ensuite utiliser l'agrafeuse murale pour fixer ce tasseau sur toute la longueur du bas de la moustiquaire (1 agrafe tous les 10 cm est suffisant).

Étape 7 - L'installation

Tout d'abord, passer un coup d'éponge sur le rebord extérieur de votre fenêtre (il faut qu'elle soit propre pour que le velcro crochet colle bien).


Ensuite, coller le velcro crochet sur le rebord extérieur de la fenêtre (voir le schéma). Pour cela, décoller le ruban protecteur du velcro et coller le.

On pourrait également coller la moustiquaire sur le rebord intérieur mais vous ne pourrez alors plus ouvrir la fenêtre lorsque la moustiquaire est posée.


Placer les bandes découpées comme sur la photo, pour qu'elles soient face aux bandes de velcro doux une fois la moustiquaire posée.
Lorsque vous positionnez les bandes de velcro crochet sur le rebord de fenêtre, pensez à les espacer légèremenet afin de bien tendre la moustiquaire pour qu'elle soit bien aplatie sur les bords.

Enfin, coller la moustiquaire sur le velcro crochet et le tour est joué !

Commentaires

Published