Wednesday, September 6, 2017

How To Repair A Damaged Vintage Trailer Awning

I originally made this Sunbrella Coastal Spa 15' awning for my nephew and his wife. I had informed  them to repair the awning rail on their vintage trailer, before using the new awning. However, the young couple forgot to. Needless to say, damage was incurred during their very first time out camping. Other campers, trying to help the "Newbies" set up, forced the awning through a dented, dinged up awning rail, with rough edges. So, let me use this as a reminder, to always clean out your awning rail, and check for any damage each year before going camping. 

Their trailer was beyond their skill level to repair, so it was sold within the first year. I told them I would repair their awning and see if anyone else wanted it
Another young family purchased the repaired awning, and used it extensively for 6 more years, before a severe storm took it's toll on it.
Since it was Sunbrella marine grade awning fabric, I agreed to make repairs again, knowing it had many more years of use ahead.
It was tedious removing so many stitches, but I was able to free up the fabric covered pull cord, to replace the damaged, previously repaired section again. The pull cord also was starting to fray, so I wrapped each strands with double sided Sunbrella seam tape. I am waiting on washable fabric glue to arrive, to re-twist the rest of the cord.



Repaired section of fabric covered pull cord needs replacing again after 6 years

A weakened area, from the original dented awning rail, has frayed and needs repair after 6 years

Damaged section of fabric was replaced over the pull cord

Double sided awning seam tape was inserted into the torn area, then the frayed ends tucked into the tape and down into the  cord with the tip of a seam ripper. Fray Check then was layered over the repair.

I had a scrap of fabric stored away in a dresser drawer for 7  years. As you can see the awning hasn't faded over the years, even with extensive use.

Before I replaced the popped grommets, I tucked some interfacing into the hole, reshaped the hole and placed  new grommets.

Here again you can see the fabric scrap next to the 7 year old awning. Also, see the repaired fabric covered pull cord.

Replaced a section of the fabric on the end of the pull cord.
                                                       #awningrepair
Popped two grommets during a severe storm.
Next I inserted both repaired ends of the fabric covered pull cord into my c-channel awning rail, to be sure they would slide through past the repairs. Thankfully, they did!

Repaired fabric covered pull cord slides into the c-channel awning rail, past the new section.

The awning is upside-down in this picture, because I am just testing the repaired section of the fabric covered pull cord to be sure it will still slide into the c-channel awning rail past the repair.
This repair was not for the faint of heart, so to speak!  An awning with "wounds" needing surgery, after many years of continuous use, in all types of weather. Many stitches were removed to access the areas, many more stitches were needed to replace and repair all of the damage. Weak, frayed, areas were reinforced with Sunbrella seam tape and Fray Check. Popped grommets were replaced after reinforcing with interfacing and re-contouring the holes. I hope this information is useful, as a reminder to always repair your awning rails, and clean them out each year before setting up your awning. Dings and dents will happen, while pulling into campsites, or even while stored when branches fall.  This particular awning had been repaired once 6 years ago, so I am hoping it will provide at least 6 more years for this family to enjoy, on their many travels across the great USA.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Expecting a Small Shipment Of Marine Grade Awning Fabric For Fall 2017

I will be supplementing my Sunbrella Inventory of patterns with a small shipment, to finish off the 2017 awning making season. Some patterns have limited yardage, because I just don't have room to store large quantities of fabric at this time. Be sure to inquire with the most level section of your c-channel awning rail, so I will know which patterns have a sufficient amount for that size of awning.
Contact Me: 





Burgundy Black White

Saxon Chili

Baycrest Sky


Forest Green Beige Natural

Manhattan Classic

Kiawah Spa

Colonnade redwood

Forest Green Fancy Stripe

Henna Fern

4768 Preston Stone dfoster@bellsouth.net

4878 Rodanthe Sunrise dfoster@bellsouth.net
4891 Manhattan Dune dfoster@bellsouth.net
                                     Motive Denim 4895 dfoster@bellsouth.net
I have a Ready Made Awning 10' x 8' Available for Sale SOLD
4949 Forest Vintage Bar Stripe dfoster@bellsouth.net


4994 Eastridge Cocoa dfoster@bellsouth.net

4946 Black Taupe Fancy Stripe dfoster@bellsouth.net
Gray/Black/White dfoster@bellsouth.net
          Here are other patterns that are still available too:
Clinton Granite dfoster@bellsouth.net

Mediterranean Canvas Block Stripe dfoster@bellsouth.net

Manhattan Fog dfoster@bellsouth.net 10' x 8' available for sale
Forest Green/Natural

Westfield Mushroom

5907 Taupe 5 Bar

Navy/Taupe Fancy Stripe

Black Forest Fancy Stripe

Brass Black Cherry
Taupe Tailored Bar Stripe

Heather Beige Classic

Putty Regimental

Cooper Black

4740 Beaufort Ember

Colonnade Current

Manteo Cardinal

Hatteras Raven
                         

Do A Little Research To Be An Educated Vintage Trailer Awning Consumer

Glen Raven has so much confidence in their Sunbrella line of 46" wide marine grade awning fabric, that they expect 10 years in constant direct sunlight before experiencing any fading.
Have you looked into the hours of expected direct sunlight before fading, using different brands of outdoor furniture upholstery fabric? It ranges from 300-1000 hours. So expect fading after about 4 weeks of camping during the long, hot, summer days. Why is this? Because outdoor upholstery fabric is intended for furniture cushions, and pillows protected from direct sunlight on a porch.
Of course, I have customers asking me to make awnings with 54" wide patterns, that they want to send me. However, I do not make decorative, fair weather awnings, using outdoor grade upholstery fabric.
If you want a Sunbrella marine grade awning fabric awning, that stands up to the sun, wind, and rain, for many years to come, then Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi is happy to help. More vertical striped marine grade awning fabric patterns should be arriving soon.
The color to the core technology of 100% acrylic, solution dyed Sunbrella, is what makes the difference. It is not just a screen printed layer of color, and UV protection, on top of a woven fabric. With Sunbrella, every fiber is dyed to the core before it is woven into material.
Be an educated consumer-Do A little Research-Hope this information is helpful.
 
 dfoster@bellsouth.net
Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi

Sunbrella Marine grade awning fabric is a stiff, sturdy, durable material, designed specifically for awnings