How to Make a "Vintage" Travel Trailer Awning

                                            Striped Olefin outdoor fabric.

Doubled over, and then folded in half - here are the cuts:

The strips closest to you is for the cording - (there are 2pcs total).

The next 3 strips are for the front and side drop downs - (there are 6pcs total).

The large piece is the body - (there are 2pcs total).

The two body pieces were sewn together at center after matching up the stripes using a flat fell seam.

The seam was then top stitched. 

NOTE:  It is important to use outdoor thread becuase it is UV resistant and will not rot in an outdoor environment like regular thread.  Outdoor thread is made of polyester, and it is thicker and tougher than regular thread.  It will cost a bit more, but it is well worth it. 

TIPS:  I used a longer stitch length, at 6 stitches per inch, and made sure the needle I used was for heavy fabrics.  Increasing the top tension on your sewing machine is recommended also.  I had no problems what so ever, until my needle started to dull.  I replaced the needle two times during this project. 

A sharp new needle is the key to happy sewing!

The strip for the awning rope has been zig-zag stitched and hemed.

Nylon rope is ready to be sewn inside the fabric using the zipper foot of sewing machine.

I made this awning for a trailer with the old fashioned "C" channel awning holder.  I bought the rope one size down from the size of my channel to allow for the fabric covering, which made the diameter larger.  I did do a test piece first, to make sure it would go into the channel easily, yet fit snuggly so as to not pull out when the tension of the tent poles was applied. 

Here it is, ready to be sewn to the top of the awning, top stitched to each side for durability.

The tent pole corner grommet reinforcement pieces and the tie down loops.

Corner reinforcement piece going in under the olefin straping reinforcement piece.

Another view.  Only outdoor UV thread is used in an outdoor fabric project like this.

The Olefin straping is double stitched - here is the center reinforced fabric and tent pole tie down loop.

Another view.

The rope is sewn at the top.

The sides and the reinforcing Olefin welting are on.

A template for the drop can be made out of most any sturdy cardboard or plastic!

Hemming the sides - they were zig-zag stitched, and then turned once and stitched.

Top stitching the interior trim piece.

This took two go arounds - once on the yellow stripe, and once on the blue to cover the hem.

When sitting under the awning, this is what will be seen.

The outside, or "right side".

Pom Ball Trim being top stitched.

Close Up of attaching the retro pom-pom fringe trim.

One heck of a lot of fabric to maneuver around the machine!

Close up of the Pom Pom Trim.

I will attach a picture of the awning completely folded out when the weather here improves enough for me to take it outside and show it off.

Here is a picture of a different canopy I made set up with a trailer the year before....

...and the view from underneath of the canopy....

Thanks for looking, and Happy Camping!

Assorted Travel Trailer Cushions

Tropical

Rear Bed of 1957 Cardinal:

Another View:

Raspberry Pink & Chocolate Brown

Flip side of the same cushions as above:

Raspberry Pink and Chocolate Brown In a Different Mix

The Shasta Cushions:

Shasta - Dinette seats

Installed:

The rear bed:

Installed:

                                                     The Little Western Winnie Cushions:

A Room Full of Cushions! 

Dinette Bench Seat Upholstery

The dinette seat upholstery - completed, but not attached to the wood frame yet. (Curtain fabric is sitting on top).

Duck cloth is sewn on (top stitched) down the middle of the seat fabric. It tucks in between the seat back and the seat to secure tightly to the frame.

My particular piece was the width of the seat x 18" - divided in half at 9" - then sewn to the bottom of the upholstery fabric at 16 inches down.

Here you can see the duck cloth sticking out the crack in the back between the two seats - not secured yet.

Prior - with lining attached.

Close up of back of seat detail - red is darker than in picture.

Side gusset - upholstery is still loose from the seat frame.

Fitting the sewn seat upholstery.

There are 7 fabric pieces in this dinette seat upholstery:

#1 - The top of the seat and back rest (the largest square).

#2 - The accent piece (red upholstery fabric in this case).

#3 - A long strip for the sides (front) of the seat.

#4 - A long strip for the sides (top) of the back.

#5 - A piece of duck cloth the width of the seat by approx. 18" is sewn down the middle (at the 9" mark to the correct area and is attached to the back to slide in between the seats to secure the crevace between them to the frame - this is what will keep it looking upholstered and tight instead of a "slipcovered" look. (photos above about that).

#6 & #7 - Side gusset pieces (2).

The accent piece was top stitched to the top of piece #1

Gusset - tacked on, not sewn down yet.

Retro Fabric Curtains in The Shasta

This "Malibu Palm" Retro Floral Upholstery / Drapery Fabric is by Waverly. The Shasta required 10 yards x 54" wide, as I made them very full.

I washed and dryed the fabric on high heat prior to sewing - yes, it shrinks! It shrunk 2" in width and 3" per yard in length. I did do a test yard first, because sometimes the manufacturer means it when they say "Dry Clean Only". I decided that since this fabric was 100% cotton, there was no good reason to not wash and dry it on high and see what happened. Another thing washing accomplished was making the fabric appear even "nubbier" and older. This was exactly the appearance I was going for. The gold brush fringe is a must for this look - it gives it that "authentic retro" appearance in my opinion.

Here are the front curtains, shown drawn.  The lining really does help block the light, and protect the fabric from fading as well. I would always suggest lining your trailer curtains.

The drapery lining fabric is a light pinkish red and white acetate in a basket weave pattern, and was used for all of the tie-backs as seen below as well. 

Here We Have a Heaping Helping of Curtains. It looks like they could have come straight out of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo's place. Vintage 50's Tropical....The flowers and palm fronds are fabulous!  This is one of my all time favorite favorite fabrics!

The selvage edge - and a close up of the weave of the fabric - it is nubby and has a nice thick feel to it - it really does resemble vintage barkcloth.

And here they are shown with the cushion fabrics - A raspberry chenille basketweave for the chevrons, and accent trim pieces, and a chocolate brown cord upholstery fabric for the main body of the cushion covers. I also used the curtain fabric to make the cording shown on the chevron below.  Still sewing the dinette covers in this photo. (I will upload another post on the cushions shortly).

With the rear bed cushions below.

Thanks for looking, and Happy Camping!