Friday, April 10, 2015

How To Make A 16' Vintage Trailer Awning

Organize the necessary supplies for making an awning:
1) A commercial sewing machine, or a cast iron vintage sewing machine, supported inside of a sewing cabinet.
2)A cast iron spool stand for a 16 ounce spool of strong, UV, weather and chemical resistant thread.
Cast iron spool stand and raw edge binder sewing machine foot

3) A raw edge binder sewing foot.

Finish the raw edges of the facings and edge binding, using the edge binder foot.


4) A sewing machine walking foot.
Walking foot that evenly pulls both layers of fabric, when sewing large panels of awning fabric together.

5)A spool of vinyl welt.
Vinyl welt,  and edge binding showing raw edges before using the binder foot.

6)Grommets, seam ripper, scissors, pencil, hammer, and grommet tool.
Supplies for installing brass grommets
7)Measuring tape, ruler, chalk, sharp scissors, marine grade awning fabric, and strong, weather resistant thread. 
16' x 8' awning


8) Several large tables set up end to end, for measuring and cutting the awning fabric. 
9)A sewing space that is approximately 24' long. You will need at leat 8' of table space in front of, and in back of, your sewing machine cabinet.


Are you still considering making your own rope and pole awning? Shall I even continue?


10)For a 16' x 8' awning, more than 17 yards of Sunbrella 45" wide fabric is needed. This does not include the extra yardage  necessary to make custom matching edge binding and facings for the underside.

Once you have assembled all of your sewing supplies, have prepared your work stations for measuring and sewing, then it is time to begin. You still with me?


1) Sew your main panels together and then top stitch. If your fabric has not been heat sealed along the raw edges, then use flat felled seams.
2)Sew the valance sections together.
3)Sew one side valance to the side edge of the awning.
4)Attach the edge binding, for the scalloped valances, under the facing.
5)Sew through the three layers.



Layer awning, valance, edge binding and facing, then sew through all layers.

Open out facing and stitch close to the valance.
Open out the valance and topstitch through all layers.
Draw out the scalloped valance design with chalk.

Cut out the scalloped valance. Save the edge for a pattern for the other sides.

Sew the custom made matching edge binding over the scalloped edge.
 
Repeat these steps for the other side valance, on the opposite edge of the awning.
 
Now, with the awning folded to access the 16' front valance and trailer edge, we continue on.
Trace the valance pattern onto the front valance and cut out the scallops.
Continue sewing the edge binding over the front scalloped valance's raw edges.
Measure up 8" from the edge with a ruler, then chalk a 16' line, as a guide for sewing on the front facing.
 
Make a chalk line 8" from the bottom of the valance.

Sew the facing in place ,using the chalk line as a guide.
 
Now, on the trailer edge, either cover the raw edge with edge binding, or fold it over and sew.
Next, sew the vinyl welt onto the prepared trailer edge.
 
 
 

Measure out the placement for the four grommets.
Mark the spots, cut out the openings, insert the grommet, place in  the base of grommet maker, set the grommet ring, insert the other half of the grommet maker and hammer to form the finished grommet.
Hammer the  grommet maker to form the grommet into the awning.

Use a lint roller to remove any loose threads, while folding the awning. Spray Blaster Dry Lubricant on the welt for an easy glide through the c-channel.
Fold the awning the rest of the way, in preparation for shipping or storage.
Boxed and ready to mail.

Of course there are much easier ways to make a vintage trailer awning. This demonstrates the quality differences in a Vintage Trailer Awning by Kristi.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Awnings to Compliment the Aluminum Airstreams, Silver Streaks, Avions, Clippers and Spartans

Are you looking for a rope and pole awning for your Airstream, Silver Streak, Avion, Clipper or Spartan?
Here are some classic, timeless, patterns to select from, for a Vintage Trailer Awning by Kristi.       dfoster@bellsouth.net  


Ginza Onyx dfoster@bellsouth.net
Cooper Back dfoster@bellsouth.net

Clinton Granite dfoster@bellsouth.net
Heather Beige Classic dfoster@bellsouth.net








Yardage available for the "Big Boys",
Contact:  dfoster@bellsouth.net
https://www.facebook.com/vintagetrailerawnings

Thursday, April 2, 2015

The Ranchero Is At Maximum Capacity!

The marine grade awning fabric was delivered by freight, to a local family business, with easy access for large trucks.
So, we had to unload it from a large pallet into our Ranchero, and then unload it again, once we returned home. Oh, my aching back!
Image of marine grade awning fabric that arrived for Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
dfoster@bellsouth.net

 
A full load of Sunbrella marine grade awning fabric for Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
dfoster@bellsouth.net

 
Image of vertical striped marine grade awning fabric for Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
dfoster@bellsouth.net
 

 
Over 20 patterns to choose from, with quantities for large awnings.
Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
dfoster@bellsouth.net

 
1967 Ranchero XL
Brought it all home!

Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi

Awning Fabric Images for Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi 2015

Sunbrella 4806   Beaufort Forest Green/Natural
Awning Fabric Image 2016
Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
 dfoster@bellsouth.net

Sunbrella 4985 Havelock Brick
Awning Fabric  2016
Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
 dfoster@bellsouth.net 

Sunbrella 4774 Ginza
Awning Fabric 2016
Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
 dfoster@bellsouth.net

Sunbrella 4921 Mediterranean Canvas Block Stripe
Awning Fabric Image  2016
Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
dfoster@bellsouth.net

Sunbrella 4916 Navy Taupe Fancy
Awning Fabric Image  2016
Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
dfoster@bellsouth.net 
 




Sunbrella 4909 Plum Fancy
Awning Fabric Image  2016
Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
dfoster@bellsouth.net




Sunbrella 4988 Cooper Black
Awning Fabric Image  2016
Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
dfoster@bellsouth.net 



Sunbrella 4907 Taupe 5Bar
Awning Fabric Image 2016
Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi
 dfoster@bellsouth.net





Sattler Emerald

Friday, March 27, 2015

Ready Or Not, Here It Comes!

Over a 1000 yards, of Sunbrella Marine Grade Awning Fabric, have been ordered. So, ready or not, here it comes!

dfoster@bellsouth.net

It is time to pull out those vintage trailers and go camping.
Vintage Trailer Rally season is already upon us, here in the South.
Many new Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi will be setting up for the first time, since 25 vintage trailer awnings have already been mailed out just since January.

Need an awning for later in the year?
Here are some Sunbrella patterns to consider:
https://plus.google.com/photos/102508300905463390757/albums/6126641495297701185?banner=pwa









Thursday, March 19, 2015

More Vintage Trailer Awning Fabric Is Being Ordered

UPDATE For 2018: Be watching for my next load of Sunbrella Marine Grade Awning Fabric to arrive in November 2017. I will be receiving Sunbrella marine grade awning fabric in classic, traditional, timeless, vertical striped patterns, made from 100% solution dyed acrylic. Sunbrella marine grade awning fabric is 46" wide. I do not use 54" wide outdoor furniture upholstery fabric, for awnings. Here is a sneak peak at a few patterns I am considering.










Contact Me:


Facebook Page:










Friday, March 6, 2015

When The Fads Fade Away

When the fads fade away, as crazes often do, you'll be glad to have a classic awning that's been tried and true!

When the fads fade away, as quickly as they came,  your Vintage Trailer Awning by Kristi will still look the same.

When the fads fade away, with each passing day, a true vintage style will be here to stay.

When the fads fade away, because trends come and go, your  vintage striped awning will still steal the show.



 dfoster@bellsouth.net 

http://www.facebook.com/vintagetrailerawnings

April 2015 Sunbrella Marine grade Awning Fabric has been ordered: https://plus.google.com/photos/102508300905463390757/albums/6126641495297701185?banner=pwa


http://www.facebook.com/vintageawning 




Sunday, February 15, 2015

Designed For Endurance

Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi uses fabric, thread and edge binding designed for endurance. Marine grade awning fabric can withstand the harshest environments, because every acrylic fiber has been solution dyed and treated to withstand moisture, UV rays, mildew, stains, rot, fading, tears, plus chemicals, and then woven into a strong fabric that is equally vibrant on both sides.


The awning thread has a strong tensile strength against breakage, resists abrasion, and is protected against fading and rotting from ultra violet rays.

Many shades of Sunbrella edge binding are available, made from the same acrylic fibers, and treated for moisture resistance and UV protection from fading and rot too.
 

With so many shades to chose from, some times it is hard to decide which one looks the nicest!

Marine grade awning fabrics have high UV rating, as a bonus, to protect you from the harmful effects of the sun as well.

http://www.facebook.com/vintagetrailerawnings

April 2015 Order of Sunbrella marine grade awning fabric link: https://plus.google.com/photos/102508300905463390757/albums/6126641495297701185?banner=pwa

Enjoy Your Vintage Trailer Awning In All Types Of Weather

Vintage Trailer Awnings by Kristi are meant to be enjoyed in all types of weather. So get out there, and have some fun, protected from the ultra violet rays from the sun. So whether it's wind, rain, or sunshine, under your vintage camper awning you'll be just fine.


                                               dfoster@bellsouth.net
Adding springs to your tie-down lines, can help to weather a storm.
Graduate your tent poles or Tee-Pee them, because getting caught in a downpour like this, the weight of the water could bend your tent poles!



Sunbrella marine grade awning fabric has an expected 10 years before showing signs of fading, or leaking. It has a high UV rating to protect you from the harmful effects of the sun. The color to the core of each fiber, is woven into each pattern, using breathable 100% acrylic fabric, for comfortable air flow.