This Instructable will show you how to make a draft dodger (the thing that you put in front of your door to fill the gap and block the draft). This particular draft dodger looks like a tree branch with twigs and leaves and is sure to keep your drafts at bay.

Note: This could also be used as a soft indoor retrieving stick for your dog or a roll pillow if you change the dimensions.

If you find yourself without the time to make your own SewUseful Tree Branch Draft Dodger or you really want this one, you can purchase it here via Etsy.

Step 1: Preparation

Gather Materials:
- Fabric for "wood" - 1/4 yard
- Fabric for "leaves" - scraps (1/16 yard if you are buying new)
- Fiberfill or some sort of stuffing medium
- Sewing Thread
- Embroidery Thread - 2 colors to coordinate with your "wood" and "leaf" fabric.

Note: Amount of fabric needed may be more or less depending on the size of your finished piece.

Other Equipment Needed:
Ruler, pencil for marking, scissors, pins, needle, iron, sewing machine or be prepared to hand sew, and a clean work area.

Prep Your Fabric:
Fabric should be washed and dried to preshrink it then ironed to smooth out wrinkles.

Step 2: Cut Your Fabric

Branch:
Measure your door or other drafty area (window).
Take this measurement and add 1 1/2". This is the length you cut your "wood" fabric. Measure and mark the fabric, then cut and set aside.

Twigs:
Measure and mark the remaining "wood" fabric at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2", then cut and set aside.

Leaves:
Make a leaf pattern on paper. Approximately 2 1/2-3" long and 1-1 1/2" wide or however large or small you want. Cut out multiples of this leaf pattern.

Using the "leaf" fabric fold wrong sides together and pin leaf pattern pieces to the right side. Cut out the leaves; keeping pins and pattern pieces attached (so the leaves stay aligned).

Step 3: Making Leaves

Thread a needle with 3 strands of embroidery thread. Fold the pattern piece towards the center /out of the way and blanket stitch around the outer edge of the leaf. Conceal the ends of the thread inside the leaf.

Don't know how to do a blanket stitch? Learn here with this helpful tutorial from Sublime Stitching. (See #2)

Remove the pin and paper then press leaf (starch if desired).

Repeat on all additional leaves.

Step 4: Making Twigs

Fold twig piece lengthwise with right sides together and pin.

Using a 1/2" seam allowance sew along one of the short ends continuing down the long side. Leave the last 1/2" of the long side and the other short end open.

Turn twig right side out and stuff with Fiberfill or other stuffing medium.

Fold in the cut edge to hide the fray. Close the open end of the twig using a whip stitch with 3 strands of embroidery thread; continue to whip stitch along the seams of the twig.

Repeat on all additional twigs.

Attach leaves to the twigs by sewing with a whip stitch.

Step 5: Making the Branch

Fold branch piece lengthwise with right sides together and pin.
Using a 1/2" seam allowance sew around the edges. Leave a 2 1/2" opening along the long side.

Turn branch right side out and stuff with Fiberfill or other stuffing medium.

Hand sew closed the opening of the branch.

Using 3 strands of embroidery thread blanket stitch around the seams of the branch.

Attach twigs to branch by sewing with a whip stitch.

Your Tree Branch Draft Dodger is complete and ready to place in front of any door (or window) to stop the draft.