Curtains

[netlace]

I am going to try to make me own curtains. I bought some very old ones on ebay to see what they looked like. They are "Fan pleated". Is this correct? If yes can anyone give me spacing and depth of pleats. Pictures would be great. What about the snaps? Also at the ends there is a block of stiff fabric looks like velcro but smooth. Is there an apparatus to open and close or do you just grab them and slide by hand. As you can see I have never seen AS curtains other than the scrap ones I got off ebay. Any tips would be appreciated. And I thank you in advance.

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by netlace

I am going to try to make me own curtains.

We thought about it. Went with James P. Ambruso instead. Great work!
e him @ www.jpadrapes@microd.com

[Lothlorian]

I was fortunate to have the original bedroom curtains left in the camper. I used these as templates. I used a 60" fabric bolt which comprised 10 pleats. At one end (the one that had a small square of velcro), I spaced in 2.5 inches. This measurement is from the edge of the fabric to the top of the first pleat. On the other end, I left 2.25 inches. This is the side that the snap gets attached. The pleats are 1/2 inch folds. I left approximately 5.25 inches between pleats (measured from top of each pleat). After sewing all pleats, I folded in an inch section between each pleat (1/2 inch fold) and made a seam. The 5.25 inch distance is not exact for each section and I sewed the pleats from both sides towards the middle to adjust the distance, but it was pretty close and not noticeable. If you need more info, contact me.
Adrienne

[heir-Stream]

We just installed JPA Drapes a month or so ago and they look like they belong in our unit instead of resembling potato sacks like the junk that came with our unit when we purchased it new. They are wonderful! Very high quality! Highly recommend! Thanks JPA Drapes. If I could sew I'd do my own, I think.

[Mike Leary]

Were we to do curtains again, I'd have JPA make us "black out" versions.
Never thought about them until we stayed at truck stops.

[Gypsy1]

I went to this sight "jpadrapes@mcrod.com" listed on this thread to look at drapes for my Argosy... and was sent to a strange computer sight... nothing to do with "drapes"

[whitelight]

Check out the pictures at the following link:

http://www.airforums.com/photos/show...i=16266&c=3128

(will post a close up tomorrow)


I've made drape for two different vintage trailers (I've been sewing for 45+ years). Some practical tips:

1) I don't line my drapes as I like to wash in machine or by hand. A lined drape really requires dry cleaning so that the two fabrics don't "move" in different directions when washed. If we want blackout properties, we use reflectrix covers. These also double as insulation in the winter & during storage.

2) I use an outdoor rated fabric that has UV resistant properties, such as Sunbrella furniture grade or Robert Allen Outdoor. If you are making drapes, invest in a good fabric - remember, your time & labor will probably be greater than the fabric cost.


3) When sewing, use a good quality thread that is appropriate for the composition & weight of the fabric, i.e don't use cotton thread on an acrylic fabric. As well, find a thread that has UV & anti-rot properties, such as Gutterman upholstery thread.

4) Generally, I leave about 3.5" to 4" between the edge of the curtain & the first pleat at the snap end.

5) The Pleats: I do 1.5" between pleats - One pleat is a "Pinched" pleat of 1.5", next inverted pleat is .75". So, a sequence of 1.5" pinched pleat, space of 1.5", inverted pleat of .75", space of 1.5", 1.5" pinched pleat, space of 1.5", inverted pleat of .75", etc. A picture (which I'll post) shows this best. The nice thing about this type of pleat is that it opens in a neat fashion.

6) Drapery carriers - if the opening in the aluminum drapery track is vertical, i.e. it faces towards you as you look at the window, then you need what is called a "G" carrier. If the opening in the aluminum track is horizontal, i.e. the opening is facing up, then you need a "t" shaped carrier.
When you sew the elastic of the carriers, ensure that the drapes have some tension on them, i.e. the drape fabric should be taut but not overly stretched. Sew the end of the carrier elastic to the drape (I'll see about some pictures on this one.)

[olddog299]

Originally Posted by Gypsy1

I went to this sight "jpadrapes@mcrod.com" listed on this thread to look at drapes for my Argosy... and was sent to a strange computer sight... nothing to do with "drapes"

Try this link -- it'll do the trick:

J P Drapes

[Lunar Module]

I made my own curtains. I didn't do pleats on mine. It didn't seem like they needed it. I used the old curtains as templates and it was pretty easy, but time consuming.

[netlace]

Here is a link to what I am going to try to make. Does this seem correct? At first I thought it was a traditional pinch pleat. But after getting the ebay curtains, I know better. Are the snaps still available? Let me know if this looks correct. Scroll to bottom of page for picture of top view.
Google Image Result for http://www.homespunfabrics.com/images/FanPleatSample3.JPG

[Maryw164]

Keep in mind a fan pleat will have the curtain being further into the room than a traditional simple pleat on the inside only, facing the interior of the trailer. So if space is an issue, you'd have to make your pleats very small, like 2" instead of the typical 4 or 5".

Mary

[sanmill]

Hi, I made my own. I looked at other AS,and decided to use pinch pleats. I spaced mine 4inches apart. pleated them on top and bottom. They turned out really nice. They are not that hard, just time consuming. You can buy pleating tape at any fabric store.

[sd90mac]

ours were made by "silver threads", Tammy, here on the forum, and she did a beautiful job.

Marie

[Flying Pig]

Our 19' is only a year old...white curtains that are fine but dull. Has anyone ever painted or dyed these factory issues drapes? I'm tempted....