Wall cushions

[balrgn]

I have several “snaps” on the wall adjacent to the twin beds. From what I can tell this is for a padded cushion? They are missing and I have found no good descriptions or pictures? We are trying to keep with the 70’s styling. Is there a good resource for material? Can anyone provide a picture or detail?

Thanks in advance!

[overlander64]

Greetings balrgn!

Originally Posted by balrgn

I have several “snaps” on the wall adjacent to the twin beds. From what I can tell this is for a padded cushion? They are missing and I have found no good descriptions or pictures? We are trying to keep with the 70’s styling. Is there a good resource for material? Can anyone provide a picture or detail?

Thanks in advance!

These wall pads were called "Bedroom Wall Comfort Covers" in Airstream literature and were part of the International package on my '64 Overlander - - or as an individual option on the Land Yacht series. On my coach, they were originally tan, quilted vinyl. My coach also has a coordinating ceiling panel as can be seen in the photo below:



The material and quilting pattern were identical between the ceiling and wall panels. On my '64, the panels are attached with rivets. I suspect that Airstream probably switched to snap attachment when the switch was made to the vinyl clad aluminum for the walls.

When I had the interior of my coach refurbished, the Fowlers replaced the badly worn bedroom wall comfort covers with a fabric that coordinated with my new blue/gray interior color scheme; but I kept the near mint original ceiling panel in-place.

I suspect that you will find that making a poster board template will be the best method for creating a pattern for your replacement if the original isn't available for a pattern. I haven't run across anyone who offers a pre-sewn replacement, and I suspect that this is partly a function as no two of these installations are 100% identical.

Good luck with your investigation and project!

Kevin

[69Ambassador]

Balrgn,
On my '69, I did have a pad that was attached to the wall next to each of the mid twin beds. In keeping with the carpet, It was a nice shade of green. I've since gutted it, but I did keep all of the original interior pieces. I'll try to find it and take a picture for you.

[silver 67]

Originally Posted by balrgn

I have several “snaps” on the wall adjacent to the twin beds. From what I can tell this is for a padded cushion? They are missing and I have found no good descriptions or pictures? We are trying to keep with the 70’s styling. Is there a good resource for material? Can anyone provide a picture or detail?

Thanks in advance!

I wish I could remember who told me that if you ever rolled over at night and ran into the cold aluminum you'd know why there was a padded wall. Anyway, we haven't gotten that far yet, but I have done some searching for "appropriate" material. Try www.contemporycloth.com with search word "modern". There is also a futon covers place that sells cloth by the yard with many great old patterns. They are www.mostcovers.com.

Personally, I'm glad we're not living in the trailer today. It's only 6 here in Leavenworth.

Beth
67 Sovereign

[kposey]

In my '73 model Land Yacht, it felt like the PO had fashioned the pads by putting quilting material on top of a board of some kind, then sowed matching material over the quilting. It worked quite nicely!

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by silver 67

I wish I could remember who told me that if you ever rolled over at night and ran into the cold aluminum you'd know why there was a padded wall. Anyway, we haven't gotten that far yet, but I have done some searching for "appropriate" material. Try www.contemporycloth.com with search word "modern". There is also a futon covers place that sells cloth by the yard with many great old patterns. They are www.mostcovers.com.

Personally, I'm glad we're not living in the trailer today. It's only 6 here in Leavenworth.

Beth
67 Sovereign

Boy you got that right, wakes you right up don't it! That is the insentive for getting this done in the cold weather! Thanks for the links. I have a plan now. I think luan will be sturdy enough to use, just have to pick out a fabric. Still looking for original pics, I will find them some where. It was 60º in the AM but DID it rain. Looked like a drowned rat going from the shop to the camper. I now have the (Pergo) flooring all installed!

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by overlander64

Greetings balrgn!

These wall pads were called "Bedroom Wall Comfort Covers" in Airstream literature and were part of the International package on my '64 Overlander - - or as an individual option on the Land Yacht series. On my coach, they were originally tan, quilted vinyl. My coach also has a coordinating ceiling panel as can be seen in the photo below:



The material and quilting pattern were identical between the ceiling and wall panels. On my '64, the panels are attached with rivets. I suspect that Airstream probably switched to snap attachment when the switch was made to the vinyl clad aluminum for the walls.

When I had the interior of my coach refurbished, the Fowlers replaced the badly worn bedroom wall comfort covers with a fabric that coordinated with my new blue/gray interior color scheme; but I kept the near mint original ceiling panel in-place.

I suspect that you will find that making a poster board template will be the best method for creating a pattern for your replacement if the original isn't available for a pattern. I haven't run across anyone who offers a pre-sewn replacement, and I suspect that this is partly a function as no two of these installations are 100% identical.

Good luck with your investigation and project!

Kevin

Thanks, that has to be the coolest ceiling we have ever seen!

[fly2havefun]

I have a 68 Overlander International and I do have one of the padded covers out in my garage. I will try to take a picture of it.

When I got the trailer, one of the bedroom windows had been broken out and that side didn't have the padded cover on it. I took the other one out with hopes of making a matching set. It had a piece of heavy cardboard type paper with a bit of padded batting material, then fabric. It seems it would be an easy thing to replace. Mine was riveted on, too...if I can remember correctly.

I will try to post a picture of it and some measurements. I just bought a digital camera. I'll probably have to get one of the kids to help with the pic.!

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by fly2havefun

I have a 68 Overlander International and I do have one of the padded covers out in my garage. I will try to take a picture of it.

When I got the trailer, one of the bedroom windows had been broken out and that side didn't have the padded cover on it. I took the other one out with hopes of making a matching set. It had a piece of heavy cardboard type paper with a bit of padded batting material, then fabric. It seems it would be an easy thing to replace. Mine was riveted on, too...if I can remember correctly.

I will try to post a picture of it and some measurements. I just bought a digital camera. I'll probably have to get one of the kids to help with the pic.!

That would be great. We were out looking for fabric and ideas yesterday. No luck. That wall sure is cold when you roll up to it!

[wahoonc]

I wonder if the wall pads were an upgrade or optional? Our unit has them, they appear to be orginal to the unit. IIRC they are fastened to the wall with rivets or screws. Appear to have a cardboard stiffener in them. They are on the phase after next of the rehab, but when I get home I will take some pictures and measurements for general reference. BTW reckon the walls were left unpadded to curb armorous assaults

Aaron

[overlander64]

Greetings Aaron!

Originally Posted by wahoonc

I wonder if the wall pads were an upgrade or optional? Our unit has them, they appear to be orginal to the unit. IIRC they are fastened to the wall with rivets or screws. Appear to have a cardboard stiffener in them. They are on the phase after next of the rehab, but when I get home I will take some pictures and measurements for general reference. BTW reckon the walls were left unpadded to curb armorous assaults

Aaron

According to the literature that I have, the wall comfort covers were part of the International trim package. I suspect that they were likely available as a separate option as well. The would have also been a relatively easy upgrade for coach owners who wanted to add them on their own at about any point in time.

Kevin

[wahoonc]

That explains that, my Sovereign has the Interational designation. I wonder what the production numbers of International to base models was for any given year or size. Seems that almost every Airstream I have ever looked at has either been an International or better. I don't recall ever having seen a unit that wasn't an upgrade from the basic.

Aaron

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

I wonder if the wall pads were an upgrade or optional? Our unit has them, they appear to be orginal to the unit. IIRC they are fastened to the wall with rivets or screws. Appear to have a cardboard stiffener in them. They are on the phase after next of the rehab, but when I get home I will take some pictures and measurements for general reference. BTW reckon the walls were left unpadded to curb armorous assaults

Aaron

I have several snaps, 8 on each side. Some must be for the original curtains? A couple to hold the cushion on? Still looking for orginal photos. Have found but a few...
Just back from the RV show in Boston, all SOBs But I did find some insert trim for the molding!

[Stefrobrts]

Silver 67, thanks so much for the fabric links, those are great. I've been looking for funky cool fabrics to redo the slip covers in. That's the best stuff I've seen yet.

I think the cushions on the wall are a great idea, but I asked the hubby (because he sleeps closest to the wall, and he said he likes being next to the cool wall on hot nights! Guess it would be best to do it in fabric that can be snapped to the wall on cold nights, and rolled up and stowed away on hot ones!

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Silver 67, thanks so much for the fabric links, those are great. I've been looking for funky cool fabrics to redo the slip covers in. That's the best stuff I've seen yet.

I think the cushions on the wall are a great idea, but I asked the hubby (because he sleeps closest to the wall, and he said he likes being next to the cool wall on hot nights! Guess it would be best to do it in fabric that can be snapped to the wall on cold nights, and rolled up and stowed away on hot ones!

I got side tracked the other day when we were out looking for material. I saw some "rug runners" I got to thinking, If we could find a design that fit the era, it would be stiff enough to use then, like on the warm nights, they could easily be stored. There is not much storage in our '75.

The best prints so far are from Beth's link!

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by balrgn

I have several snaps, 8 on each side. Some must be for the original curtains? A couple to hold the cushion on? Still looking for orginal photos. Have found but a few...
Just back from the RV show in Boston, all SOBs But I did find some insert trim for the molding!

Makes sense that they are for side pads,
The curtain snaps on mine are further up, between the curtain track...at least I think they are. I will have to take another look when I get home. That is one thing that is kind of neat about the Vintage Airstreams...you never know what the PO did or had done in terms of customizing. I have seen things done that you would swear were done by the factory but were actually done by a compentent dealer.

Aaron

[j54mark]

The material used for this purpose in our '85 Sovereign was visually much like burlap. It too was stitched over a carboard material.

We replaced it with a piece made from a bound remnent of very, very plush carpet used in limosines. Not nearly as visually interesting as some of the options above, but very functional. As suggested above, we made a carboard patern first. Ours went in a location where there were compound curves making the fit a bit difficult.

Mark

[silver 67]

If anyone wants to see what the original wall pads looked like, go to www.vintageairstream.com ,go to the photo archives and look at the 65 and 66 sovereigns. Those little hummers are there for the world to see!!

[eljay]

they could easily be stored. There is not much storage in our '75.

I'm thinking they could be laid flat under the bed/gaucho cushions/mattresses for storage.

[StreamNTyme]

Well, after reading all your thoughts on wall pads I would just like to add my two cents worth. My 93 Excella had pads. I took them out because they were one more thing to get dirty. They were dirty when we bought the unit. I did check with and upholsterer before pitching them. It would have cost about $100. plus the fabric for the two pads that I took out. They really did not have much insulation value. So out they went. I like it clean. I haven't missed them one bit.
One other thing. I also pitched the dirty bolsters on the sides of the newly recovered sofa. My husband made beautiful oak (to match the rest of the cabinets) side compartments with flat tops that open up for storage. Now we can set a glass or dinner on the new arms. With the new oak floor, new recovered sofa, new side compartments and reupholstered valances (to match sofa) the unit looks like new. Love it.