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Post by surfingyogini on Nov 10, 2010 19:22:20 GMT 10
Just wondering if anyone here has made their own annex/awning? Are there plans to make one in any of the Keith Winser books? I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine but would like a few guidelines!
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 10, 2010 22:12:19 GMT 10
G'day surfingyogini, I'm not aware of any plans in the Keith Winser books for annexes or awnings. I think your best bet is to take measurements from somebody's existing annexe and make your best copy. Do you have a sewing machine that will handle heavy canvas? You'd be looking for either 16oz or 14oz canvas for the roof, and 14oz or 12oz canvas for the walls (the heavier in each case, the better). The machine has to have the guts to punch the needle through 5 layers or so of canvas at times. The normal household machine won't do it. I have a Singer dressmaker's machine from the 1970s or 1980s... ...which has allowed me to do these sorts of things for a non-vintage caravan I restored... The downfall of my machine is the number of stitches per inch it can do. Professional canvas-maker's machines do four stitches per inch. Mine won't do less than six per inch, which has a tendency to make the seam end up shorter in length than the surrounding canvas. So I have to do a lot of fudging with the overall measurements to make things fit together in the final product. There's a bloke on ebay who has been selling shorts lengths of canvas for a number of months now. You probably won't get enough of the one pattern and colour to make a full annexe, but if you keep watching his items, you might strike it lucky to get enough to make an awning. I did. ebay canvasHope this helps. (...and no, I'm not a dress-maker, or a canvas-maker. Before I started the jobs above, I couldn't sew for nuts really. Just learnt as I went along. Took my time. Days and weeks later I ended up with something that looked "pretty good". Gotta start somewhere, eh?? ) cheers, Al.
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Post by surfingyogini on Nov 10, 2010 22:41:04 GMT 10
Thanks Al, your awning looks great! I've got some canvas from a huge old tent i found at the tip shop - its just a plain colour so I was considering getting eBay offcuts for the edging (like yours!). Thanks for the link. I am hoping to push my sewing machine to it's capacity! I've got an old industrial overlocker but am a bit jealous of your machine! Do you have another annex that you copy the design from or do you come up with it yourself? I'm not sure I'm up to that!
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Post by cobber on Nov 11, 2010 7:35:03 GMT 10
G'day surfingyogini..... & Al, You're a talented old git aren't you Al.... no way would I attempt to do my own upholstery. I had a look at that ebay link you gave surfingyogini and on the site they give a sneaky hint as to how you can pick up items. They have a web site that is very interesting if you are after canvas products..... it might be worth looking at surfingyogini . I might add them to the vintage Restoration Parts Suppliers Thread. Have any forum members had first hand experience with their products ? Cobber.
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 11, 2010 9:03:27 GMT 10
G'day cobber, This forum is FULL of talented old gits...and gitesses Some of the stuff people do on this forum just blows me away! And yes, you could do your own upholstery...if you set your mind to it! I like to keep the costs of the restoration down to a minimum wherever possible. If I think I can do the job, I have a go...stuff it up...have another go...stuff it up...have another go...until finally, "hmmm, that don't look too bad". The second item has always ended up being easier to do than the first. I had a quote from the local canvas-maker to make a new canvas skirt for the pop-top roof. They had a standard charge of $880. I managed to make it using canvas from ebay for $150. (We won't talk about the 16 days of labour to do it though. ) -------------------------------------------------- G'day surfingyogini, No, I just looked at photographs on this forum and made my awning based on those. You can make contact with sutcac who has a collection of about a thousand photos of awnings (that's an in-joke), or you can have a look at this thread. The mistake I made with my awning is the scalloped fringe isn't long enough to hang down properly. I only had a limited amount of canvas left over from the pop-top skirt, so I was trying to ensure I had enough to do the job. When the awning is set up on the van, the fringe doesn't hang down nicely, so it should really have been a couple of inches longer. But... next time...I'll do it differently! Your overlocker should go close to being able to do the job. Cut a strip of canvas off and fold it on itself to make five layers. Depending on the sewing thread you use (I use Gutermann upholstery thread), you'll need a size 16 needle or larger, to punch through the five layers. If your machine can't get through the five layers without stopping, then it doesn't have enough 'grunt' in the motor. I managed to find my machine in a local Salvos store for $60. Couldn't grab it fast enough when I saw it on the floor. It's paid for itself many times over since I've had it. ;D Finally, Yes you are! All ya gotta do is have a go! What's the worst you'll do...stuff it up? cheers, Al.
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Post by surfingyogini on Nov 11, 2010 11:39:24 GMT 10
Ok, you've convinced me, I'll give it a go! ;D ;D ;D
Another question though, what's the purpose of the fringe? It looks great aesthetically but why would you need it longer? I was thinking of putting the zip for the sides oin the same seam as the fringe (figured this would stop rain going through the zip) but does it have another function?
I bow to your wisdom in all things annex-related! ;D
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 11, 2010 12:32:18 GMT 10
Hahahahaha, surfingyogini...sometimes you just crack me up!! I think the fringe is used mainly as a "frill" around the edge, although it probably also helps to deflect water off the roof and stop the water from wanting to run back inwards on the underside of the canvas (' inwards on the underside'??...wot sort of speak is this?? ) My fringe should have been longer because it wants to fold under the canvas roof and stay flat up against the underside. In the following picture, you can see on the front looping awning edge how the fringe doesn't hang down, however around on the long side with the centre pole it does... The fringe on mine was made out of 12oz canvas, which doesn't have a whole heap of weight in it to begin with, so a longer length of fringe would have helped gravity do her bit. I've got another full-size annexe that came with the van when I bought it, but I've never used it. It has the zip-off walls like you're describing. I could take some photos of it to show how the zippers and fringe are constructed, if that's any help. Or maybe somebody else on the forum already has some photos they can share. cheers, Al.
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Post by DC3Td on Nov 11, 2010 15:10:50 GMT 10
Geez Al, you`re not just a pretty face. Hang on. Never seen ya. Tell you what though, you`ve done yourself proud doing all the canvas bits & pieces. cheers gordon
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Post by surfingyogini on Nov 22, 2010 21:29:20 GMT 10
The gods of VVs were smiling upon me and the tent I found at the tip shop is the perfect size for an annex - all I've had to do was chop it in half and sew a seam for the rope (the overlocker wasn't quite up to it but the ol' Myer Victor came through with the goods). I'll post photos once we trim some of the surrounding trees!
You inspired me Al so many, many thanks! ;D
A (ok, another) quick question though... is there some trick to getting the rope through the sail track easily? Hubby had to stand on the wheelie bin and grunt and groan as he pulled it through - obviously we can't travel around with a spare wheelie bin so I'm wondering what is the secret here? It went through smoothly, I just can't figure how to feed it and then pull it through with ease? As always, your wisdom is appreciated! ;d ;d ;d ;d ;d ;d
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 23, 2010 8:14:07 GMT 10
G'day Liz, Good onya for having a go with the annexe! ;D ;D I'll have to let someone else answer your question about threading the rope through the sail track. As you can see in the photo of my van above, the sail track is on the lower roof of the van, and is only about 6ft 6ins above ground, so it's easy for me to walk along the side of the van pulling the annexe through the track as I go. Other people with a full-size van will know the tricks and tell you how they do it. Got a photo showing your handiwork with the annexe? cheers, Al.
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Nov 23, 2010 10:57:48 GMT 10
hi liz we have a full sized van with sailtrack fitted and don't really have a problem fitting the annex roof. to help the annex feed into the track, we expanded the leading edge of the track width using a large flat head (cobber will be pleased) screwdriver then filed a good lead in radius on the start of the track. if you make sure you have a long enough end on your rope, pulling it through should not be a problem. (no need to tow the wheelie bin behind your van). one other thing we did was to tie a knot in each end of the rope. one knot pulls against the front end of the sail track groove, the other knot is pulled up (under tension) to the rear end of the sail track. if the knots are positioned correctly, the roof of the annex will always line up to the correct position to fit the sides to their sailtrack or clips. hope this helps. geoff 'n jude
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Post by philouise on Nov 23, 2010 11:59:45 GMT 10
Hi.
If easy sliding is required, a talcum powder applied to the annex part also helps.
Phil
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Post by surfingyogini on Nov 23, 2010 12:59:37 GMT 10
Ah, that's great, thanks! Looks like you also have a fairly long lead rope at the front which would probabl help too.. You guys are a font of wisdom... No photos yet Al, will see if the weather permits some this arvo.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Nov 23, 2010 14:12:39 GMT 10
If all else fails with the pullthrough of the annexe line, you might consider stowing a folding stepladder in the van - always handy anyway for any other sorts of repairs on the high bits.
Were you aware that Larry Mc, who was at Canungra last weekend makes those sorts of things for a living. Although he lives in Wangaratta Vic, you should catch him while he is in Qld. boblor would have a contact number for him if interested.
Good luck
Ray
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Post by stampsrd5 on Oct 4, 2015 5:54:33 GMT 10
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Post by cobber on Oct 4, 2015 7:37:04 GMT 10
G'day stampsrd5, Welcombe to the forum and thanks for resurrecting this old thread, there are lots of old threads here worth looking at so it's good to have this new info added to this one. I should do one of those video things showing how easy it is to use Marconi track incorporating the same principle shown in that YouTube link. Cobber.
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Post by akeepsake on Oct 4, 2015 9:46:10 GMT 10
I should do one of those video things showing how easy it is to use Marconi track incorporating the same principle shown in that YouTube link. Cobber. I look forward to that one Cobber!!!
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Post by DC3Td on Oct 4, 2015 10:00:31 GMT 10
Cobber being alternatively known as Mr Hollywood (from the myriad of happy snaps taken of his `vans) to take charge of directing movies.Look out Clint!.
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Post by cobber on Oct 29, 2015 18:31:06 GMT 10
OK Andrew 'n Gordon, I chickened out on doing a video but, using the same principle as shown in that video I made up this gadget that you attach to the end of the Marconi track, screw down the thumb screw ( well it would be a thumb screw if I had one ) to lock the gadget in place, tie a Manila rope to the awning, thread it through the pulley and take it back to where you're feeding the clips onto the track and give it a tug when you've fed a few clips onto the track. Works a treat if the bride isn't talking to you after problems backing the van onto the site Cobber.
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Post by moparman on Oct 29, 2015 18:46:21 GMT 10
Well there Mr Cobber that's one high tech gizzmo you have there!..................Hope you have patent or a copyright on that, your going to make a fortune when they go in to production aye!
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Post by akeepsake on Oct 29, 2015 22:27:32 GMT 10
Cobber if you whip up a dozen of these you'll flog em off easily.....especially if you throw in a set of famous cobber cuff links! Well done !!
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Post by chelsearuthireland on Aug 13, 2021 17:15:52 GMT 10
Hay everyone I am new to the forum and only started a couple of years ago restoring a 1978 16ft viscount.
I am wondering if I can reuse/repurpose the original annex canvas to make a rollout/fiamma type awning??? Or is the canvas too heavy??
I have just read how some of you have repurposed your annex canvas's into awnings and thought you might be able to tell me if my idea is possible or not.
Thanks
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Post by Mustang on Aug 14, 2021 8:43:53 GMT 10
Hi chelsearuthireland, This forum caters for vans 1970 back. You are welcome to list your reno on the sister forum Classic Caravans, link which caters for 1970 to 1980 caravans. Register your story in The Hall of Fame. Personally I think the effort of using an old canvas on modern hardware would be an issue with weight & the canvas remaining damp when rolled up. Cheers Mustang
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