"74" Awning Fabric Repair

[Roadrunner]

The awning fabric on our kids "74" Tradewindwas separating at the seams. Rather than spend $$$ for new fabric (the old was in decent condition) we decided to try and repair the existing awning fabric. We were able to pick up heavy duty "pacific blue" thread and heavy duty needles at JoAnn Fabrics. You will need three people to make this repair: one to pull and hold the awning strap, one above and one below the awning to "pass the needle". When the new seam was finished we topped it off with boot waterproofing spray. Looks great...and best of all we saved money and did it as a family. We also decided to replace all existing awning straps with "pacific blue" 1 1/2" strapping we purchased on Amazon. A job well done...

Cheers...Bob "Roadrunner
Indiana, PA

[blickcd]

Nice repair job and I like the team effort. Smart to sew it up before a gust of wind blows out the seam.

I'm currently repairing some seams and have to do the job solo, and thought I would post some photos of my rig the holds the awning partially open, for anyone else in my situation.

A tie-out stake for a dog is used as the anchor point in the ground, and it is connected to the awing pull strap with a rope. If you remember your taught line hitch from Scouts, that is the knot to use so you can easily adjust the position of the awning. I also had a taller step ladder so I could sew from above.

One final comment. My problem, and I suspect yours too, is that over time the hinges on the aluminum slats which form the awning cover, chafe on the threads and break them. The first 12" - 18" of almost all of my seams needed some attention.

[GCinSC2]

Any thoughts by folks to try using a sewing awl to make this type repair with?

[CRH]

My seams were rotten. I took the awning off and took it to an upholstery shop. Every seam was restitched using a machine. It cost me 75 bucks