No-Sew Curtains

[Pamela S.]

I was going to make glue gun curtains for the Fiber Stream. I found the type of fabric I wanted at JoAnn Fabrics, and when I told the clerk my plans she suggested I use an adhesive called Fabri-Tac, instead. No hot glue gun, easy to use, makes a permanent bond, and can be washed after 24 hours. What's not to like?

It took me considerably longer than 20 minutes, (for starters, I had to borrow an iron from my kind neighbor) but I am thrilled with the results. Photos attached below. (Ignore the date; forgot to reset it on the camera.)

[Kevin K]

Nice job.
More info on FABRI-TAC here
http://www.beaconadhesives.com/cgfab.html

[Darnelle]

Thank you for the post Pamela! We are going to be making curtains for the Scamp we just brought home.

BTW, I love that cute litte puppie!

[Pamela S.]

That cute little puppy is our spoiled-rotten Italian Greyhound, Isabella. She's pushing nine years old now. We've had her since she was about six months old. When we were camping at Starved Rock State Park in IL last summer, my husband fell asleep in his chair and she fell asleep on his lap. They both looked so cute I just had to take a photo or two. It seemed like the perfect avatar for a camping forum.

[Dave Bese]

I love the bright colors


But I finy it ironic that a woman takes the short cut while I actually sewed mine

[John Clayton]

you just saved me some $!
Thanks Pamela!

[theresa p]

hi pamela.....glad to hear that the curtains project turned out well....and glad too that the no-sew/iron idea was a good one!

[Pamela S.]

Dave,
You need to understand that I am seriously "sewing-challenged". Can't sew to save my life. On the other hand, I'm good with wiring, carpentry, I'm a ham radio operator, and I can even knit. And after this weekend, I now know how to repair fiberglass cracks, too. Just don't lose any buttons around me because I'll never get them re-attached.

[Dave Bese]

OK, I grew up on a small farm (dirt poor) and learned to sew on a Singer treadle. I also spent 36 years as a machinist/toolmaker; Boeing Comercial Airplanes, so I pretty well schooled.

[Pamela S.]

I have a good friend who has two Singer treadle machines; they belonged to her mother and her grandmother. It sounds like it's a great machine. (I'm getting a little bit off topic here, but she's going to help me make cushion covers for the camper so I guess it's kind of related.)

[michaelhilda1]

Originally Posted by Darnelle

Thank you for the post Pamela! We are going to be making curtains for the Scamp we just brought home.

BTW, I love that cute litte puppie!

Hi Darnelle,
We just bought a 16' scamp and need to make curtains that make it dark at night. I saw your pictures and love them. Did you line them with something to block light? How do you open them in the daytime?
thanks, Hilda

[Nicole Angell]

I sew all the time and I still find the fabric tack to be a wonderful aid to my sewing. Great example- sometimes I want a cute little cut out on something, but I don't want to sew it on- so out comes the glue!

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by michaelhilda

Hi Darnelle,
We just bought a 16' scamp and need to make curtains that make it dark at night. I saw your pictures and love them. Did you line them with something to block light? How do you open them in the daytime?
thanks, Hilda

You can purchase a thermal window fabric to put on the back side of the fabric to make it darker. It comes in different thickness - I went with a very light one due to the small size of the curtains and I wanted them to hang correctly. The thermal fabric has a little bit of a plastic type film on it which also helps to stop the window condensation from getting into the good side of the fabric and it also stops the curtain fabric from fading from the sun. here is a link to how to use it: How to Make Thermal Window Fabric Liner | eHow.com

[rgrugg]

Pamela...how did you hang your curtains?

[kygould]

OMG!!! I am PTSD from sewing classes (40 years ago), so when I saw this post, I went off to the fabric store. Got beautiful drapery fabric and wahlah!!! They are fabulous. I will take some photos and post. Thank you thank you thank you! As "O" would say Love that!!!!
kay

[Tim Wood]

My wife just made some for our Scamp, wish we knew about this. Would have been much easier way to do it. Thanks

[kygould]

Originally Posted by Tim Wood

My wife just made some for our Scamp, wish we knew about this. Would have been much easier way to do it. Thanks

Here is a photo of one of my curtains. Loved doing it. I felt like I was cheating!!

[Tim Wood]

Kay, Nice job and I like the pattern you choose also.

[Pamela S.]

We just have standard round curtain rods over the windows. I think they're called cafe rods. They are between a quarter and a half inch in diameter. Threaded the rod through the folded-over sleeve at the top of each curtain and there you are. Planning on using something similar to twist ties to fasten the rods to the holders, though. They tend to fall out of the holders if we hit a lot of bumps on the road.

Sorry for the delayed response. I haven't checked in to the forum in way too long.