OK - easiest way to make curtains for a caravan

[LMH]

Hi

I'm going to bite the bullet and attempt to make new curtains for my caravan. Dunelm has a sale on and I thought if I bought large curtains to cut down etc.....

Can anyone please give me an idiots guide, step by step of how to make them.

Suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[brightredrover]

I have made new ones for ours. I'm hopeless at sewing and they took me ages but am really pleased with them . I took the old ones down and just copied them step by step and made them in excatly the same way. I even unpicked all the popper tape as I wasn't sure where I could get new and typical ! every caravn shop I have been in since sells it !! They look really nice although I am disappointed with the pelmets, they did prove tricky so I am thinking about having something made professionally for them. We would really like the upholstery doing too now but thats definitely NOT a job for me !!

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi lh

I have been to Dunelm this very day and bought door curtains to make into caravan curtains as they matched the upholstery the best. I am about to investigate how best to do the headertapes but Dunelm do sell the popper tape at

 

[LMH]

Thanks Chris and brightredrover I'll let you know how I get on, advice appreciated.

This will be a big job for me as my needlework skills are limited to darning the odd seam on clothes. I'm going to attempt to use the old Singer sewing machine my grandma bequeathed to me 20 years ago which I had serviced about ten years ago, then put it away and it's never moved from the cupboard since!

Lisa.

 

[sian_5062266]

I sew quite a lot, but to actually describe how to make them is not easy, because its just like making ordinary curtains except the heading tape is different and that's all, so perhaps the editor would like to run an article on how to make them with illustrations and instructions in the magazine. The main thing however is to choose the material carefully for thickness and pattern, caravan windows are small and if the material is too thick they will look too bulky, if the material is too thin they will look feeble and if the pattern is too big they will look out of place, likewise if it is too small they will look too busy. Try and get the material as close in texture and pattern to what's there already. Dark colours will show up fade marks quickly, so lighter colours are best. Measure the finished size of the curtain by lenghth and add 2" for the top hem (because you don't want a load of bulk on the header tape) and about 3" for the bottom hem. Measure the existing width of the replacement curtain - this will be the width of material needed, so if the fabric is wide cut it down, allowing 0.5" either side for the side hems. Do the same for the lining but make the lining dimension 1" shorter in the length. Hem both the curtain fabric and lining fabric, turning the hems to 1.5" twice, press with an iron, then turn them inside out and attach them together down the sides making sure that the tops line up. Turn them to the right side and press out the sides, then turn the top over by 1" press, turn over again 1" and pin the heading tape tightly to the top. Sew the tape to the top and finally press. Good luck and perhaps the succesful ones could send photos into the magazine to go with the article!!

Sian

PS for pelmets that are frilled double the fabric width to get the frill, for pelmets that are just covered use a staple gun and for the totally co-ordinated look get the cushion covers made up locally, most towns have soft furnishing businesses that will run them up at a reasonable cost.

 

[LMH]

I sew quite a lot, but to actually describe how to make them is not easy, because its just like making ordinary curtains except the heading tape is different and that's all, so perhaps the editor would like to run an article on how to make them with illustrations and instructions in the magazine. The main thing however is to choose the material carefully for thickness and pattern, caravan windows are small and if the material is too thick they will look too bulky, if the material is too thin they will look feeble and if the pattern is too big they will look out of place, likewise if it is too small they will look too busy. Try and get the material as close in texture and pattern to what's there already. Dark colours will show up fade marks quickly, so lighter colours are best. Measure the finished size of the curtain by lenghth and add 2" for the top hem (because you don't want a load of bulk on the header tape) and about 3" for the bottom hem. Measure the existing width of the replacement curtain - this will be the width of material needed, so if the fabric is wide cut it down, allowing 0.5" either side for the side hems. Do the same for the lining but make the lining dimension 1" shorter in the length. Hem both the curtain fabric and lining fabric, turning the hems to 1.5" twice, press with an iron, then turn them inside out and attach them together down the sides making sure that the tops line up. Turn them to the right side and press out the sides, then turn the top over by 1" press, turn over again 1" and pin the heading tape tightly to the top. Sew the tape to the top and finally press. Good luck and perhaps the succesful ones could send photos into the magazine to go with the article!!

Sian

PS for pelmets that are frilled double the fabric width to get the frill, for pelmets that are just covered use a staple gun and for the totally co-ordinated look get the cushion covers made up locally, most towns have soft furnishing businesses that will run them up at a reasonable cost.

Sian

Thanks so much for your reply. It will be very very useful indeed. I've just printed it off for reference.

Thanks again.

Lisa

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi Lisa

Have you started your curtains yet and if so how are you getting on? I have nearly finished but not without problems! My old faithful machine bowed out recently and the only one I had was a small one by JML!! Decided to give it a go and I was very impressed. It couldn't cope with the thick ends but I stuck those with Copydex and Blue Peter would be proud of me!

However, I am very pleased with the end result and they have really given the upholstery a new lease of life. We are having a new carpet fitted on Friday so it should look a lot better and it really hasn,t cost too much considering what a big difference it has made. Hope to hear how you are doing. Chris

 

[LMH]

Hi Chris

No I'm afraid I haven't started the curtains yet. My husband has put in a new light coloured carpet in the van and has done a good job.

I've got to get my mum over to show me how to use the sewing machine, it should work ok.

I had a look round Dunelm and they still had the sale on and I did spot several curtains which I could buy and cut down. Do you think it would be best to go for say 90 x 90 inches, or would it be easier to go for smaller sizes. My husband can cut perfectly straight and is excellent with a knife (ex butcher!!).

I'll update you although with work committments, gardening, 13 year old daughter and plenty pets, it's looking like a job for doing over winter.

Lisa xx

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi Chris

No I'm afraid I haven't started the curtains yet. My husband has put in a new light coloured carpet in the van and has done a good job.

I've got to get my mum over to show me how to use the sewing machine, it should work ok.

I had a look round Dunelm and they still had the sale on and I did spot several curtains which I could buy and cut down. Do you think it would be best to go for say 90 x 90 inches, or would it be easier to go for smaller sizes. My husband can cut perfectly straight and is excellent with a knife (ex butcher!!).

I'll update you although with work committments, gardening, 13 year old daughter and plenty pets, it's looking like a job for doing over winter.

Lisa xx

Hi Lisa

Bet the carpet looks nice. Doesn't it make a difference. The fabric which matched my upholstery best turned out to the the velour beige door curtains which measured 48" x 84". The width turned out to be great as when gathered they made a nice drape so I didn,t have to cut them width-ways. The drop of my windows was 26" so I was able to get 2 curtains from one original curtain, so I would suggest measuring your drop first.

The one thing I did discover was that if I used 2" header tape, I could do away with the side pelmets as the tops stood up nicely on their own, so I just cut the rail down. I also only put a 2" hem on the bottom as this was more in scale with the size of the curtain and the window. The front pelmet I covered with the same fabric and it looks much better - just glued it!

If when you get round to doing them, you need any help, I will be glad to do so if I can, but I am no expert. Chris

 

[petercoachman]

hi when your husband fitted new carpet in the van did he unscrew the bunks settees etc it's a job i have to do would be interested to hear how he did it thanks peter

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi Peter

Due to the fact that my carpet fitter didn't turn up twice, and having fitted a carpet before, I decided to have a go myself and started it this afternoon. We had cut the old carpet out but being an older van much was stuck under the units. I didn't unscrew them but just cut the new carpet very slowly and carefully and it did in fact tuck under some bits. However, although I say it myself, it does look good and I have probably taken more care than the fitter would, as I have to live with it!! Best of luck, Chris

 

[LMH]

Hi Peter

The hardest bit was pulling up the old carpet and then making the floor clean in readiness for the glue/carpet.

Yes he did undo the screws to place the carpet under the lockers. When he took the old carpet out he used that as a template and cut around it leaving a few inches around the outside for errors etc. Make sure you have plenty of stanley knives for the job. He used carpet adhesive which stuck it down brilliantly. We bought an offcut of carpet quite cheaply, the previous carpet was chocolate brown, we put a cream one in. I bought three rugs from dunelm (washable and colour coordinated) too. It's not a hard job (although I didn't help in any way!) but the transformation is amazing.

Let us know how you get on. If you need to know anything else, put a message on.

Regards.

lh

 

[LMH]

Hi Lisa

Bet the carpet looks nice. Doesn't it make a difference. The fabric which matched my upholstery best turned out to the the velour beige door curtains which measured 48" x 84". The width turned out to be great as when gathered they made a nice drape so I didn,t have to cut them width-ways. The drop of my windows was 26" so I was able to get 2 curtains from one original curtain, so I would suggest measuring your drop first.

The one thing I did discover was that if I used 2" header tape, I could do away with the side pelmets as the tops stood up nicely on their own, so I just cut the rail down. I also only put a 2" hem on the bottom as this was more in scale with the size of the curtain and the window. The front pelmet I covered with the same fabric and it looks much better - just glued it!

If when you get round to doing them, you need any help, I will be glad to do so if I can, but I am no expert. Chris

Hi Chris

Thanks for your posting.

I bet your carpet looks good too. What colour did you go for?

I did see the door curtains in Dunelm if that's where you got them from they looked nice. Think I will go for either cream or ivory eventually.

I've copied your posting and save it. Thanks for the offer of future help I'll take you up on that.

Regards

lh

 

[CaptainKangaroo]

Hi lh, you asked for an idiots guide to making curtains, and here you are:-

1, buy a sewing machine

2, buy a sewing machine needle

3, buy some cotton thread ( make sure it matches the curtain material

4, measure old curtains to get size for new curtains

5, buy material for curtains (see step 4)

6, read instructions on operation of sewing machine

7, make new curtains

8, hang new curtains

there, that should do it, don't think i have left anything out ................ my sincerest apologies if i have.

cheers

 

[LMH]

Thanks Captain

Well written. Have you made any curtains yourself?

lh

 

[TheSimpsons1]

Thanks Captain

Well written. Have you made any curtains yourself?

lh

i think maybe you have never made curtains as it is not that easy especially if they are fitted top and bottom !!

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi Chris

Thanks for your posting.

I bet your carpet looks good too. What colour did you go for?

I did see the door curtains in Dunelm if that's where you got them from they looked nice. Think I will go for either cream or ivory eventually.

I've copied your posting and save it. Thanks for the offer of future help I'll take you up on that.

Regards

lh

Hi Lisa

I ended up with a flecked carpet with shades of mushroom brown and cream and it has really given the caravan a new lease of life. It went with the upholstery nicely which is a sort of dusty pink and I thought it shouldn't show odd bits of mud or crumbs - either white or brown bread!!!

I did get the curtains from Dunelm and although I wouldn't have chosen the velour by choice, I figured it would tone in with the upholstery rather than making it look even more dated and it has worked well. I also bought two bigish cushions which have really finished it off nicely, so altogether I am well pleased, and I'm sure you will feel the same when you do yours. Anyway have some good breaks and keep me informed. Chris

 

[antony_5072970]

hi

if your going to the trouble of making new curtains i would recomend buying some blackout material and sewing this onto the curtains as it stops all day light if your van has no blinds .my wife did this when she made our new curtains.she advised going to the libary to loan a curtain making book and told me they are easy to make so i'll believe her sewings not for me

regards ant

 

[LMH]

Hi Anthony

Thanks for the tips, they are very useful. I will remember them when I actually start the job!

lh

 

[AnnM1]

I would suggest you take down the old curtains and lay them flat on the floor. Measure them carefully, allowing for seams top and bottom. Buy wome Vilene 'Wundaweb' which is designed for hemming dresses, skirts, trousers, curtains, etc. The best bit if there is NO SEWING, and garments can be washed up to 60 degrees without any problems!!!

Hope this idea is helpful.

 

[LMH]

Hey Ann

That's brilliant - why didn't I think of that? Of course that's what I will do.

Many thanks.

Lisa - infact - as we are going away on holiday soon, I might even attempt to do it then.

Thanks again.

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi Lisa

Just one point about measuring your curtains - are the present ones wide enough or do you need to make them wider. My old ones were the original ones with the van and when drawn they were just two more or less flat pieces of material - very attractive!!

I also did not sew the hems but used copydex and no sewing definitely does speed the job. Have a good holiday too. Chris

 

[LMH]

Hi Chris

Thanks for your reply. No, a couple of the curtains are not wide enough and when drawn are like you say, like two flat pieces of material!

p.s. I'm ok on the wonderweb and blackout linings but how do you get the old curtains off the original curtain slide along thingy (poppers) and do you have to sew the popper plastic into the curtain.

Apologies if this reply sounds a bit daft but I have been on the wine. Anyway, I've decided that I am going to attempt this whilst on my hols.

p.s Hope you have a good holiday, are you off anywhere nice?

Lisa xx

 

[petercoachman]

Hi Peter

Due to the fact that my carpet fitter didn't turn up twice, and having fitted a carpet before, I decided to have a go myself and started it this afternoon. We had cut the old carpet out but being an older van much was stuck under the units. I didn't unscrew them but just cut the new carpet very slowly and carefully and it did in fact tuck under some bits. However, although I say it myself, it does look good and I have probably taken more care than the fitter would, as I have to live with it!! Best of luck, Chris

hi thanks for your advise will have a go in a couple of weeks cheers peter

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi Lisa

There might be little end stops with a small screw which you can undo at the end of the rails which should then enable you to just slide the old curtains off.

I didn't use the popper tape on the bottom front window curtains as my machine wasn't strong enough so I sewed curtain tape onto the bottom too and just put the hooks in upside down in order to hold the curtain tight. I replaced the rail with just an ordinary one to match the top and this worked ok. If you have a big enough sewing machine you probably could use the popper tape and rail if that is what you have already. The hardest part was getting the curtain the right length so it was tight enough not to sag but loose enough to move and it did take a few goes with pins before I got it right.

We are off to the CC site at Knaresbrough as we have a few house jobs to do this year whilst we have an income as my husband is hoping to retire this time next year - very scary!! How about you - where are you going. If we have some of this lovely weather then it will be great. Anyway good luck with the curtains and if you need any help, if I can I will. I,m sure you will be ok once you start and have the things in front of you. Have a good holiday and keep me informed. Best of luck

Chris

PS if this posts twice, I pressed the wrong key and thought I had lost it!!