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walter1 · 10-23-2007, 12:46 PM

My ’64 Safari is about to get new drapes, thanks to Tammy. I don’t have the originals.
The top rail and gliders are still in place. It appears there was no bottom rail. It used snugger cords that must have passed through pockets or loops on the inside of the drapes then snapped to wall.

Does the installation of a bottom drape rail make the drapes hang
straighter / better? It seems they may fit closer to the wall with bottom rail in addition to top rail.

Does anyone have a source for the bottom railing material and glides?

Has anyone installed bottom drape rail on ‘60s Airstream?

Does bottom rail interfere with dinette or gaucho cushions?

Thanks

InsideOut · 10-23-2007, 12:50 PM

Bottom rails hold the drapes closer to the curved wall. This can also be achieved with a cord that you tuck the drapes into. Our '64 GlobeTrotter never had a bottom rail...it had the standard pleated drapes like at home.

Yes, they do hang out from the wall abit...but it's not a big deal.

You can get replacement or new aluminum extrusion rails & sliders at Vintage Trailer Supply - the rails are about $18-20 for 6-8' long sections - depending on the extrusion and the sliders are under $10 for 25.

Shari

walter1 · 10-23-2007, 01:03 PM

Thanks Shari,
That looks the same as my ’64 Safari side gaucho area, only very nicely redone. That’s the way I’d like mine to look, someday soon. Very clean job.

When you made your drapes how long did you make them?

Do they hang to just above the gaucho cushion? How far below the bottom of the actual window? I’ll bet your measurements would be the same as what I need.

I think mine also had a “shelf” riveted to the wall that ran the length of the gaucho at one time. PO mentioned it. It’s no longer there but signs of it are.

Thanks for the help

InsideOut · 10-23-2007, 01:10 PM

Thanks!

I made the drapes to hang about 1-1/2" below the sill...just long enough to not drag on the back of the gaucho. I know that's not much help - but your rail position and window sizes may vary from mine...they are not all alike and I don't recall my exact length.

We have the shelf behind the gaucho you are talking about - it keeps the back from leaning back too much. It's hinged so it lays flat against the wall when the bed is made out...you can see it here in the "up position":

It's on a piano hinge though so it will lay flat too as you can kinda see here:

That space behind the gaucho back, below the shelf is perfect for stowing pillows and I made a bolster to stow our bedding.

I have lots of pictures that may help you on our "Maxwell" website linked below. a '64 Safari and a '64 GlobeTrotter are very similar...yours is just a couple of feet longer so you have more room!

Shari

uwe · 10-23-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walter1

My ’64 Safari is about to get new drapes, thanks to Tammy. I don’t have the originals.
The top rail and gliders are still in place. It appears there was no bottom rail. It used snugger cords that must have passed through pockets or loops on the inside of the drapes then snapped to wall.

Does the installation of a bottom drape rail make the drapes hang
straighter / better? It seems they may fit closer to the wall with bottom rail in addition to top rail.

Does anyone have a source for the bottom railing material and glides?

Has anyone installed bottom drape rail on ‘60s Airstream?

Does bottom rail interfere with dinette or gaucho cushions?

Thanks

I used modern drape channel and standoffs while remodeling my 63 Overlander. Using bottom drape rail and the appropriate drape sliders makes the drapes nag quite nice, and against the inner skin. The new sliders work great, one haded opening is entirely possible. The parts are available from Airstream or InlandRV. I have attached some pictures that show the drapes mounted with new style drape rod. I used the curtain tabs with the elastic strip, so the fabric has a slight bit of pre-load on it, making it look well-tailored against the wall. The front window drapes need adjustment, since I mounted the drape rod too low, not allowing the table to release from it's wall mount.

InsideOut · 10-23-2007, 01:22 PM

Uwe...that's what we are planning on doing with our '56 Safari, it has both the top & bottom rails.

Looks nice!

Shari

uwe · 10-23-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Uwe...that's what we are planning on doing with our '56 Safari, it has both the top & bottom rails.

Looks nice!

Shari

Thanks, Shari.
btw. the new style G-and/or T-tabs will work very well on some of the small, extruded vintage drapery rails. I reused abunch of mine, especially the shower curtain one. I used G-tabs on that.

InsideOut · 10-23-2007, 02:00 PM

I don't have any existing tabs - just the rails. I'm a ways off before I need them - but I was going to buy some of each to figure out which ones work best - then go back and order what I need. I figure I'll need about 200-225 of them...sound about right?

I have about 24 LF of windows, one tab every 3-4" at each top & bottom:

24' x 12" = 288" / 3" = 96 at each top & bottom rail

Shari

uwe · 10-23-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

I don't have any existing tabs - just the rails. I'm a ways off before I need them - but I was going to buy some of each to figure out which ones work best - then go back and order what I need. I figure I'll need about 200-225 of them...sound about right?

I have about 24 LF of windows, one tab every 3-4" at each top & bottom:

24' x 12" = 288" / 3" = 96 at each top & bottom rail

Shari

I will have to take look later, trailer's at work, I am home watching the house because of the fires being so close by.
The distance of the tabs depends on the style of drape. I opted for flat panel drapes, to achieve a clean look. When closed, the drapes have the lok of soft waves of fabric over the windows. I did not specify pleats. If you are doing pleats, then 3-4in might suffice. Just clip each one of the pleats. It really depends on the type of fabric, and the style of the finished drape.

walter1 · 10-23-2007, 03:26 PM

UWE,
Who made your drapes for you?
They look great.

How did you attach the bottom drape rail channel to the wall? Screws, rivets?

walter1 · 10-23-2007, 03:29 PM

Shari,
Thanks, great photos. Ah, I remember now, the Maxwell site. I'll cruise it again.

How does the shelf stay in the up position when raised? What supports it? Do you bonk your head on it at night? That was my PO reason for removing it.
Thanks, Walter

uwe · 10-23-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walter1

UWE,
Who made your drapes for you?
They look great.

How did you attach the bottom drape rail channel to the wall? Screws, rivets?

There's a variety of fasteners, but mostly stainless steel screws and aluminum rivets.
A close friend made my drapes. She's a most excellent seamstress.

InsideOut · 10-23-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walter1

How does the shelf stay in the up position when raised? What supports it? Do you bonk your head on it at night?

There are sliding bolt catches on each end...no bonking when the shelf is down.

Shari

Silver Threads · 10-23-2007, 05:46 PM

Curtain Track System Hardware - RECMAR Products Here is a website that sells curtain rails.

InsideOut · 10-23-2007, 06:59 PM

Looks like the same rails VTS sells - just more options. Do you know if RECMAR sells direct or do we have to go through a dealer/distributor? I didn't see any pricing online...which leads me to believe they may only sell to dealers with quantity.

Shari

Silver Threads · 10-23-2007, 07:27 PM

If you click on one of the products, it says you can order online or get a quote.

summitsmum · 10-30-2007, 08:48 PM

now i remember "Maxwell" if you haven't received my e-mail i am very interested on how to hang my shower curtain on the existingt rail system. seems to me that it would require some sort of plastic piece?
your web sight by the way is AWESOME you have been such an inspiration and have taken many notes. thank you so much for sharing! summitsmum

InsideOut · 10-30-2007, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summitsmum

<snip> if you haven't received my e-mail i am very interested on how to hang my shower curtain on the existingt rail system. seems to me that it would require some sort of plastic piece?

Yep, I just received your email tonight...I'll reply here to benefit anybody else interested.

As you probably saw on our website, we used these little plastic tabs for our shower curtain. Ours came with our trailer and Vintage Trailer SUpply has some very similar. The type of plastic looks different but the shape looks the same....although I haven't seen them side-by-side. The fat end of the tab fits in the track and the flat end is sticked to the shower curtain. I just used a plastic/vinyl one from Bed Bath & Beyond or someplace like that and cut it down to fit the curve of our shower area. I think I used butcher paper or light weight cardboard to get the template for the curve right. It's been about 6 years and it's holding up just fine...

Let me know if this helps or you have any other questions...thanks for the kudos on my webpage.

Shari

Silver Threads · 11-06-2007, 08:03 PM

Thanks Shari for the heads up on the rails at Vintage. I didnt know they sold them. I think I will add them to the bottom in my TW.
Also, I have weird hooks on my shower rail. I will take pictures of them tomorrow to see if anyone has some like them!

mrmossyone · 11-06-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Threads

Thanks Shari for the heads up on the rails at Vintage. I didnt know they sold them. I think I will add them to the bottom in my TW.
Also, I have weird hooks on my shower rail. I will take pictures of them tomorrow to see if anyone has some like them!

Hi Tammy, I would like a quote on some drapes. I tried to do this on your website but whenever I tired to create an account it said page not found. I have the curved top and bottom rails in the front of my Argosy the opening in the rails are 2/8ths of an inch, the openings face out towards inside of camper not towards each other. The measurements are 26 inches from top rail to bottom rail and 130 inches long. I believe I would like 4 drapes to cover my front windows. If you could give me a quote I would greatly appreciate it. I looked on the fabrics website you said you like on your homepage and found the fabric I like at 6.95 per yard.

Are there still a lot of antique stores in Kingston? I miss East Tennessee, thats God's country up there.

Thanks for the quote in advance. My email address is snmoss1@hotmail.com.