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DIY Drapes - Part 8

Posted 05-06-2012 at 05:13 PM by blickcd

The project is now complete and here are some photos of the results.

Given my minimal sewing experience, I was really hesitant to even start this project but I am glad I did.

A while back I got a quote for a professionally made set of drapes for a little over $700. The set I made cost under $300 in materials. Well worth the two weeks of spare time it took me to complete.

I'd say the toughest part was all the initial planning and figuring out how much material...

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blickcd

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DIY Drapes - Part 7

Posted 05-06-2012 at 04:23 PM by blickcd
Updated 02-17-2014 at 05:45 PM by blickcd

The second huge front drape was made with no trouble and I had just enough material left over for the center panel at the credenza side windows.

With all the drapes made it was time to install the snaps. I used a tool that was sort of like an anvil and mandrel. It worked okay but if I had to install more of these I'd spend the big bucks for the pliers style tool.

I've left the ends of my drapes a bit long and installed the snaps so the edge folded under as a return against...

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blickcd

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DIY Drapes - Part 6

Posted 04-30-2012 at 06:48 PM by blickcd

The wrap around drapes, to me, are the real signature of an Airstream interior, so my version needs to look good. Based on the four drapery panels I've made so far, it seems I've mastered the needed skills so its time to make one of the two front drapes.

First, a little bit about the front curtain tracks. Both my original upper and lower tracks were in place. Note that the elevation of the lower track is the same as the lower tracks for the side windows. The upper track is lower though,...

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blickcd

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DIY Drapes - Part 5

Posted 04-30-2012 at 10:07 AM by blickcd

Above my credenza I have two windows side by side with continuous curtain tracks above and below them. I'm not sure if the original design had four drapery panels there, two per window, but I thought a cleaner look would be to install three panels there.

In an effort to make operating the window levers easier, these drapes will not part in the center of each window. The center drape panel will be narrower so it won't take up as much space when it is fully opened. The end...

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DIY Drapes - Part 4

Posted 04-29-2012 at 09:54 AM by blickcd
Updated 04-29-2012 at 06:38 PM by blickcd

With both panels made for one window it was time to sew on the glides.

The first photo shows a T-glide being sewn on. Later I would draw a pencil line on that painter's tape on the machine to act as a guide when inserting the drapes and speed things up a bit. The G-glides require a second line about 1/8" to the right.

For my design, the top of the T-glides will be about flush with the top of the drape. G-glides go on the bottom, the bottoms of those flush with the...

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