Show me your curtains in your vintage Airstream

[Kdawn]

I made some fun curtains for our 65 gt. there was some broken black out binds when we bought her... Yuck! We kept the other blinds that were in good shape, but I made some matching valances. The side gaucho and kitchen window had most of the original hardware so I used that to hand the fresh curtains. We were missing the door for the bathroom, so I also made a curtain for privacy.















Can't wait for winter to be over so we can camp again!

[Disneysue925]

Very nice! Love the fabric!

[overlander64]

The photo below is of the drapes in the bedroom area of my '64 Airstream Overlander Land Yacht International. The drapes as well as the bedside comfort panels were made and installed by Fowler RV Interiors. The draperies and comfort panels were made to the same standards as the original components, but the fabrics are modern and more colorful than the originals. The original drapes were an off-white material very similar to what continues to be used in today's Airstreams while the bedside comfort panels were "square" quilted vinyl that matched the ceiling upholstery panel that was part of the International package in 1964.



The original ceiling upholstery panel remains in the coach as it still looks like new . . . .



I was very fortunate that my Overlander was very well preserved and cared for. While the original owner (1964-1980) replaced draperies on a regular basis, she insisted that all of the original hardware be maintained. The second owner was less fastidious about interior appointments, and the interior was basically a 1980 time capsule when I purchased the coach in 1995 -- it still had the drapes and bedspreads that the original owner made for the coach in 1978 or 1979 (these helped to identify the coach as the one that I remembered from childhood).

Kevin

[Mary Porat]

hi,

We own a 1988 airstream limited travel trailer. The blinds in the bathroom are falling apart. Not sure what to put in their place. Any ideas?

Mary

[c_lewis77]

Originally Posted by Mary Porat

hi,

We own a 1988 airstream limited travel trailer. The blinds in the bathroom are falling apart. Not sure what to put in their place. Any ideas?

Mary

Lowes/ home depot has cheap blinds for $3 each

[Mary Porat]

Thank you, I was looking for something other then blinds.

Mary

[Becky B.]

I put a plastic sheet that looks like stained glass in the bathroom window of my '86 Sovereign. Let in light but you couldn't see in. I bought it Home Depot. It is applied to the window like tint sheets.

[c_lewis77]

I use a roll-up shade. It hides behind the mirror when rolled up and covers the window completely when closed.

[Sheridan]

The side window curtains were made by my daughter based on instructions by Susan Tiegs from last years Restoration Rally in Albuquerque.
The bathroom window and kitchen window are laminated organic material (seaweed & ting ting). The bathroom, under sink cabinet door is the same material as the kitchen window.

[Flynavy]

We have a 1974 tradewind my husband restored last winter. I was very wary of trying to make curtains for this but decided to try. It actually was not to bad. Ours are single pleated and have the blackout lining. We had all the original hardware so that made things a little easier.

[MaxAB]

Hi!

We decided to replace the original AS (almost "see-through") curtains with a combination of mini-blinds from Lowe's and home-made curtains, a la Margaret.

She's made 2 and a half sets of curtains so far and has the formula for "light blocking material" down real good. Suffering from the occasional migraine - she's got to knock out as much ambient light as possible to relieve the effects.

So on our second rig, an '85 25-footer, the window covering works very well and looks good too, IMHO. Front wrap-around windows are covered with a midnight blue and backed with an off-white light blocker material. Back windows are covered and backed with a lighter color material.

We can have all the interior lights on at night - walk outside for a "light-check", and very little light escapes. During daylight conditions, light makes it way through the sides of the mini-blinds (bath and kitchen sink areas). The double construction of the curtains adds a bit of insulation effect, also.

Here's some pix that show them... Good luck!

[blickcd]

I made a set for the living room in my '79 about a year ago. This was starting from scratch by not having any original rotting drapes to use as a pattern, and even having to install some OEM curtain track.

I posted a description and photos of the project on my blog for anyone interested.

Christopher

[Disneysue925]

Originally Posted by Sheridan

The side window curtains were made by my daughter based on instructions by Susan Tiegs from last years Restoration Rally in Albuquerque.
The bathroom window and kitchen window are laminated organic material (seaweed & ting ting). The bathroom, under sink cabinet door is the same material as the kitchen window.

Would you and your daughter be willing to share more details? Where did you get the material used on the kitchen and bathroom windows and how is it mounted/hung?

They look like exactly what I've been searching for. Thanks for your help!

Sue

[the544man]

Originally Posted by Sheridan

The side window curtains were made by my daughter based on instructions by Susan Tiegs from last years Restoration Rally in Albuquerque.
The bathroom window and kitchen window are laminated organic material (seaweed & ting ting). The bathroom, under sink cabinet door is the same material as the kitchen window.

did you install anything on the bottom to keep your curtains tight against the wall? that is all beautiful. are your acrylic covers permanent or do you store them in the day or when you want a full view? is there a link to how you made them? very nice. ted

[Sheridan]

Sue, Susan Teigs presented a workshop at last years Restoration Rally in Albuquerque, NM. Using her handout, my daughter and I gave it a try. One of the reasons I wanted curtains on one wall is that I have used a hard surface covering for every other window in the trailer, we needed to soften it up with a little color and texture.

The material used on most of my windows is recycled plastic that encases organic material. The company is called 3form and is very near to where I live.

The material is held to the window with screen tabs or in the case of the back window, thumb screws, and the front window treatment is actually on the outside as a rock guard. I also used some of it as a door in the bathroom.

I store the interior windows and the screens in a compartment I made behind the curbside cushion of the dinette.

[Disneysue925]

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Sue, Susan Teigs presented a workshop at last years Restoration Rally in Albuquerque, NM. Using her handout, my daughter and I gave it a try. One of the reasons I wanted curtains on one wall is that I have used a hard surface covering for every other window in the trailer, we needed to soften it up with a little color and texture.

The material used on most of my windows is recycled plastic that encases organic material. The company is called 3form and is very near to where I live.

The material is held to the window with screen tabs or in the case of the back window, thumb screws, and the front window treatment is actually on the outside as a rock guard. I also used some of it as a door in the bathroom.

I store the interior windows and the screens in a compartment I made behind the curbside cushion of the dinette.

Sheridan,

Thank you for getting back to me on this. Your daughter did a great job on the curtains and they work really well with the rest of your window treatments.

It's the 3form panels I had never seen. What a great idea! Is the material opaque? I looked at the "reclaim" section on their site and really can't tell from their pictures if it would let in light while providing privacy. How did you finish your edges?

It would be a pricy choice for me. Even the 2x4 panels are pretty spendy--then add postage......But dang, it sure does look fantastic!

More great ideas to think about. The talent on the forum is simply amazing.

Take Care,
Sue

[the544man]

That Is really cool---just really. Cool.

[Sheridan]

Originally Posted by the544man

That Is really cool---just really. Cool.

Thanks, Ted.

_____________

Sue,

You were right to search the "reclaim" section of 3form's web site, it's the only affordable way to make this idea work unless you have unlimited resources. The odds of finding something that you like that is 1/4 inch thick, (this thickness fits the screen holders nicely and is thick enough to be stable), is the right degree of transparency (there are five degrees of opacity that the panels are finished in, sandstone is the best), the organic material runs parallel to the side you want it to. It's a high end design company with high end prices but I like the fact that the plastic is recycled milk cartons and some of the organic material is farmed in Africa, creating a much needed economy.

I cut the pieces for my windows on a table saw and just hand sanded the edges. On the rock guard / awning / window treatment piece, I built a frame and attached it with a piano hinge under the drip edge on the front of the trailer.

P.S. I will be presenting at this years restoration rally in Albuquerque in early May. I don't know what I'll call it, maybe; "How an average schmuck who knew nothing about restoring Airstreams got in way over his head...but survived".

[reinergirl]

Originally Posted by Sheridan

P.S. I will be presenting at this years restoration rally in Albuquerque in early May. I don't know what I'll call it, maybe; "How an average schmuck who knew nothing about restoring Airstreams got in way over his head...but survived".

Okay , seriously, I saw your trailer at the restoration rally last year and if you're the average schmuck, then I want to be one! you have one sweeet trailer!

[eljay]

Thanks for all of the great pics and advice. I made it to the fabric stores today. Got blackout lining for 40% off. Touched every bolt of fabric in two stores and just haven't found "the" thing. Will keep looking. And dreaming.