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Old 06-25-2014, 10:10 PM   #1
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I wanna try making a vintage style awning

With the 59 Pacer, we have an awning rail. I ordered the awning rope and got some fabulous fabric to make a 8' by 8 or 9' foot awning. Does anyone have good sites to look at to figure out the easiest and best way to do this? I love sewing and want a unique awning for our little gem. Leads would be welcome. Thanks.
Sandy
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Old 06-25-2014, 10:51 PM   #2
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Take a look at Sailrite.com. They specialize in all things boat awning for the do-it-yourselfer including sunbrella fabric, heavy duty sewing supplies, canvas fitting (grommets, snaps etc.) They also have an extensive library of DIY videos for a variety of awing types. Perhaps they have a video that would help with a design for an RV awning
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Old 06-26-2014, 06:30 AM   #3
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I have a Vintage Trailer Supply awning. If you need close up photos of any part of it, just let me know.
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Old 06-26-2014, 07:17 PM   #4
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Yes please.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Journalist View Post
I have a Vintage Trailer Supply awning. If you need close up photos of any part of it, just let me know.
The big questions I have is how the thing is put together. Where are the straps and how far away from the edge, where is grommet and how is it reinforced, etc. A sketch would be great. Thanks.
Sandy
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Old 06-26-2014, 09:01 PM   #5
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There are no straps. VTS sews a plastic bead on the edge to go into the awning rail to make it easier to slide into the rail. Original awnings had the canvas sewn around a piece of rope to go inside the rail. I have the largest size VTS sells at 15' wide, so there are four support poles. Smaller ones have only three. The poles have a sharp tip that sticks through grommets evenly spaced along the outer edge. To hold the awning up, ropes are looped over the top of the poles and staked down. The ropes have military rope tensioners on them to take up the slack. It's an extremely simple design. There is a decorative scalloped edge that drapes down around the outer three edges.
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Old 06-26-2014, 09:07 PM   #6
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Grommets are reinforced with a small patch of material sewn at each one.
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Old 06-26-2014, 09:11 PM   #7
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Thanks

I have formulated my plan of attack. I only have a bit of a difference of opinion between DH and I on style. I want side panels and a front panel where he wants nothing but the main awning piece. Opinions?
Sandy
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Old 06-26-2014, 10:13 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by ND10CentCan View Post
I have formulated my plan of attack. I only have a bit of a difference of opinion between DH and I on style. I want side panels and a front panel where he wants nothing but the main awning piece. Opinions?
Sandy
I made mine and bought just about everything from Sailrite. There's a blog post on it linked below.

I made it without side and front panels so I could roll it up and store it on the side of the trailer. It has worked just great that way as I can roll it up in a couple of minutes if the wind picks up. Never have to feed it into the track because it's always there.

Cheers,
Steve
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Old 06-26-2014, 10:47 PM   #9
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Home Made Awning

I've followed and enjoyed your posts. Impressive work. With all your skills and resourcefulness, it 's hard to believe that you need help with anything.


Anyway, here's how some hillbilly made an awning for his '68GT...


Got a roll-end deal on genuine Sunbrella fabric $20
Spool of nylon thread $5
Grommets from fabric store $3
10 feet of 1/4” nylon rope for rail $2


Stitched it up with a 1920 Pfaff found in attic. It's a tarp, not complicated. How much over-hang you have is determined by how far from the edge you set the grommets. I put additional grommets in mid-way in case I ever really have to tie it down or help string lights. I didn't want a ruffled/fringed edge.


Three 8 foot long 1 ½” diameter bamboo poles from garden center $12
Two 6 inch long 3/8” eye-bolts laying around
Some camouflage rope from HF $4
six 1 ½” black rubber feet $6
Two giant nails
bungee cord ends


Cut poles to fit in under-bed storage, Drilled pole cut-offs to make rope cinches. Reinforced inside bamboo pole ends by lining with spare 1/2” PEX
Big nails work in asphalt and sand


This may not be how one should fabricate a proper trailer awning, but it functions well in all respects.


Fifty bucks and good enough for who it's for.
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Old 06-26-2014, 11:44 PM   #10
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Here are the step by step instructions from my blog. Hope it is helpful!

Do-It-Yourself Awning Instructions | projectmidge
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Old 06-27-2014, 09:31 PM   #11
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Thanks for the ideas

Quote:
Originally Posted by ALUMINUMINUM View Post
I've followed and enjoyed your posts. Impressive work. With all your skills and resourcefulness, it 's hard to believe that you need help with anything.


Anyway, here's how some hillbilly made an awning for his '68GT...


Got a roll-end deal on genuine Sunbrella fabric $20
Spool of nylon thread $5
Grommets from fabric store $3
10 feet of 1/4” nylon rope for rail $2


Stitched it up with a 1920 Pfaff found in attic. It's a tarp, not complicated. How much over-hang you have is determined by how far from the edge you set the grommets. I put additional grommets in mid-way in case I ever really have to tie it down or help string lights. I didn't want a ruffled/fringed edge.


Three 8 foot long 1 ½” diameter bamboo poles from garden center $12
Two 6 inch long 3/8” eye-bolts laying around
Some camouflage rope from HF $4
six 1 ½” black rubber feet $6
Two giant nails
bungee cord ends


Cut poles to fit in under-bed storage, Drilled pole cut-offs to make rope cinches. Reinforced inside bamboo pole ends by lining with spare 1/2” PEX
Big nails work in asphalt and sand


This may not be how one should fabricate a proper trailer awning, but it functions well in all respects.


Fifty bucks and good enough for who it's for.
Thanks for the info and I think I may steal an idea here. I am choosing to go a little wild with the awning fabric so will have to do a little bit of finagling with the pattern. My husband is impressed with the cost of your awning....don't want to say what I have already spent in fabric alone. I did use a 50% coupon off though.
Sandy
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Old 06-27-2014, 09:35 PM   #12
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Perfect!

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Originally Posted by enived2 View Post
Here are the step by step instructions from my blog. Hope it is helpful!

Do-It-Yourself Awning Instructions | projectmidge
Thanks! I checked this out and it is really helpful on specifics. I liked the cocktails and take out suggestions as well! I am so ready to try this awning that I would like to start tomorrow. I have to finish the last cushion redo on the Safari and then I can clean up my sewing room enough to try this. Should be fun.
Sandy
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Old 06-27-2014, 10:04 PM   #13
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Sewing machine type and needle?

Quote:
Originally Posted by pbearsailor View Post
I made mine and bought just about everything from Sailrite. There's a blog post on it linked below.

I made it without side and front panels so I could roll it up and store it on the side of the trailer. It has worked just great that way as I can roll it up in a couple of minutes if the wind picks up. Never have to feed it into the track because it's always there.

Cheers,
Steve
Steve,
I got the awning rope today from Sailrite and it looks like some tough stuff. What kind of sewing machine did you use (regular or commercial) and what type of needle? I don't want to risk damaging the machine to make this awning. Thanks for your help.
Sandy
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Old 06-27-2014, 10:29 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ND10CentCan View Post
Steve,
I got the awning rope today from Sailrite and it looks like some tough stuff. What kind of sewing machine did you use (regular or commercial) and what type of needle? I don't want to risk damaging the machine to make this awning. Thanks for your help.
Sandy
Hi Sandy,

It is tough stuff. We used the machine first and it was OK, but I was sewing the bag at the same time and it was really too much thickness to machine sew. Wound up ripping that out and hand stitching to the bolt rope, used a Speedy Stitcher, and that was fine but slow going. Without the bag, my machine could have done it.

Machine is an old Pfaff 130, pretty heavy duty and I used a pretty stout leather needle, can't remember the size.

-Steve
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Old 06-27-2014, 10:52 PM   #15
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? The bag?

Quote:
Originally Posted by pbearsailor View Post
Hi Sandy,

It is tough stuff. We used the machine first and it was OK, but I was sewing the bag at the same time and it was really too much thickness to machine sew. Wound up ripping that out and hand stitching to the bolt rope, used a Speedy Stitcher, and that was fine but slow going. Without the bag, my machine could have done it.

Machine is an old Pfaff 130, pretty heavy duty and I used a pretty stout leather needle, can't remember the size.

-Steve
What do you mean the bag? Are you talking an awning bag? I don't want to have to hand sew through that awning rope nor do I want to ruin my machine. If I was going to do it up right, I would buy one of those nifty Sailrite sewing machines but don't have the funds nor room for another sewing machine.

I thought I would use an upholstery needle but maybe leather is better. Maybe now is when I drag out my Grandma's old machine and see what happens. It weighs enough to sink a ship so it might be tough enough to sew the rope.
Sandy
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Old 06-28-2014, 07:53 AM   #16
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PFAFF 130



Last year, we made an appointment and took a day to drive down to Sailrite to test their machine. We met with the design engineer and toured the factory. Fantastic shop, I'd rather these workers had built my Airstream.
We took many sample fabrics to try out. The machine is great and well made, albeit the frame is cast in China. This concerned me as I grew up with a foundry engineer father, and understand the nuances of casting. I scrutinized it heavily and concluded that it's a decent cast. The sewing machine was very impressive with heavy fabric, but chewed up fine fabric. It doesn't zig-zag. The finish was attractive. I'd buy one.



When the engineer asked what machine we were currently using, we said Pfaff 130. That was pretty much when our time with him was over. He graciously thanked us for our interest, walked us to the exit and said that we didn't need his machine, Pfaff 130s Rule!
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Old 06-28-2014, 10:18 AM   #17
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Yeah, the Pfaff 130 is a great machine!

Sandy, my awning has a zippered bag attached to the bolt rope. The awning fits into the bag when rolled up, zips closed, and is ready to go down the road. I think without it, you'd only have to get through 2 layers of fabric and the bolt rope attach. I think a lighter weight machine could do it. Leather needle would help since it cuts as it goes through.

-steve
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Old 06-30-2014, 06:58 PM   #18
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Done!

I finished the awning yesterday and the bag for it today. The bag is also big enough for three small children. No idea how it looks on the trailer as the wind is about 50 mph with small gusts of 30 mph. I will try it as soon as the wind calms down to something we can approach as reasonable. I might even snap a picture or two if it is anything worth seeing.

One more item on the list towards camping in three more weeks or so. Going to be a blast.
Sandy
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Old 07-02-2014, 08:15 PM   #19
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It is up and I think it is kind of cute

Here is the awning that I fretted over for quite some time. Finally just did it and it turned out kind of cute I think. The fabric is really cool and the picture of it up doesn't do the fabric justice. Now I will have to see about making another one for practice.

True test will be in a couple of weeks when our third daughter and boyfriend take it on its maiden voyage. Hope it works well and we don't have any major disasters. If anyone is going to the Airstream Park in Clearwater, MN in two weeks, they will have it out so you can see it yourself.

DH thinks the awning is too big but once we get a table and chairs underneath it, it will be just right. I have to waterproof it tomorrow and then once dry, it has its own bag to go into for storage. Thanks to all of the people that helped with the process by providing me with hints, tips, blogs, and resources. The help makes a big difference in outcome and the time it would take to figure it all out yourself.
Sandy
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Old 07-02-2014, 08:26 PM   #20
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