Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 10:02:03 -0700
Reply-To: Gail Fitzpatrick <redwood@SPEEDLINK.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Gail Fitzpatrick <redwood@SPEEDLINK.COM>
Subject: Curtains -- update
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Hi all,
Awhile back, I sought suggestions on replacing curtains. I received a few
responses, and found more info in the Archives, when they came back up.
I deliberated for awhile, stymied in part by the puzzle of how to retain or
replace the hardware [2 kinds of snaps, hooks, etc]. I took one of the
curtains into several fabric stores to explore possibilities, and finally
one woman suggested that, since the curtains, themselves, were intact, and
only the linings were shredded, I could just replace the linings. That
appealed, both because it obviated the hardware problem, but also saved
money on curtain fabric. I found a 5-yd remnant of a drapery fabric that I
thought would look good from the outside of my van, and had more than
enough. It's considerably heavier than the original linings, but I thought
it might add a little to the insulation--both temperature and sound.
It did necessitate finding a way to clean the original curtains. Following
list suggestions, I presoaked and then washed them gently, on 'Cold,' in the
machine, with Woolite, and then dried them on the 'air' setting [no
heat--took forever, but they came out fine]. Later, after I stripped out
all the linings, I finally discovered a small tab that had care
instructions: the fabric is "Viskose," and use of an iron is ~verboten~.
There's a washing temp indication of 30 degrees Centigrade.
I had the illusion that re-lining would be easier, but I don't think so, at
least for someone without sewing skills. For one thing, although Kenyon
Fairly kindly posted the dimensions of all the curtains to the list [see
Archives], I found that my actual curtains were a little different. Instead
of making 3 pairs of the same size [i.e., 6 panels], I found only 2
identical panels, with each of the others slightly different in size, in one
direction or another. And the way the original linings were sewn in, it
seemed necessary to make each one individually. the remaining 3 panels were
each of a different size altogether, and finished differently--elastic on
the bottom of the slider curtain; a free-hanging hem on the lining of
another... The curtain for the inside of the front windows, having spent
most of its life folded up in the closet, was reasonably intact, and I
decided to keep it as is, replacing only the elastic.
Once I figured out a way to do one of them on my recently inherited sewing
machine, the rest did go fairly easily. Sewing around the hardware [snaps,
etc.] was a little tricky, but probably easier and cheaper than all new.
In the end, they turned out pretty well, I think. Finished Fri., just in
time for the trip to San Jose, to meet all the vanagoners in Kelley Park :~|
--Oh, well, another time. At least, I'm ready to look good for all my
anticipated camping trips this year :).
Happy trails,
gail
__________________________
Gail Fitzpatrick
'87 GL Westi, 125k [Frieda]
Sacramento, CA
<redwood@speedlink.com>
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