No-see-um Window Screen Tutorial

After a recent bug invasion, I decided to make auxiliary window screens. First, this is not my idea - I saw something similar on one of the Facebook T@B pages.

You will want no-see-um mesh, which has very small openings. This is available from EMS, REI, Amazon etc. but comes in pre-packaged amounts. I ordered mine from Seattle Fabrics since they will cut to length. I ordered 2 1/4 yards of black no-see-um mesh for 3 windows. You also need round elastic cord. 2 packages will do 3 windows. Any fabric store will have it.

I made a pattern from newspaper, taping pieces together to get the size needed. The window should be measured from one wall, across the front of the window, and around to the opposite wall. My side windows measure 41" wide and 23" high wall-to-wall, and my front window measures 40" wide and 22" high wall-to-wall. Add one inch to each measurement before cutting your mesh. The pieces for my side windows were cut to 42" by 24", and the piece for the front window was cut to 41" by 23". I rounded the corners slightly. This will reduce excess fabric at the corners and facilitate sewing around the corners.


Now cut the elastic cord. I cut 80" lengths for the side windows and a 78" length for the front window. Tie the two ends together. This will keep the cord from sliding through the stitching.


You will be zigzagging over the elastic cord. I used my machine's zigzag stitch with a stitch length of 2 and a stitch width of 5.5.


You want to stitch OVER the elastic cord and not through it. This will facilitate distributing the fabric gathers evenly. The best way to do this is to use a cording or embellishment foot, which has a channel underneath that keeps the cord centered under the zigzag stitching.


Ready to sew. Put the mesh under the foot with the cord in the channel of the foot. Start with the knot you tied right behind the presser foot. Sew a few stitches, back stitch, and then start sewing. As you sew, keep tension on the cord in front so that gathers form in back. Think of a hairnet - you want the screen to slip over the window frame and then hold it snugly. Sew about 1/2 inch from the edges (this is why you cut the mesh 1" larger in each dimension.) Sew around the whole screen back to the knot and backstitch for a few more stitches.


The finished product. If you were careful not to catch the elastic cord in your stitching, you can ease out any uneven gathers. 

This screen is for my front window. Since it is a slightly smaller size I tied on a bit of ribbon to distinguish it from the larger side window screens.

And here it is in place.


When you remove the no-see-um screen, be careful of the frame corners. They pop off easily (they go back on easily too.)

Hopefully the instructions are clear. If you can sew, it is not a difficult project to do. Let me know if you have any questions!