Andrew's Van Chat: Window Covers
When updating Brakayla’s interior, we decided to discard the dirty, brown, 35 year-old curtains. In fact, we decided we were going to rid of having curtains in the van altogether. But, this posed a new problem for us. What would we use to cover the windows for privacy while we were changing clothes, sleeping, etc?
We scoured Google for ideas, browsed through Pinterest, and we even made multiple inquiries to various automotive interior shops & overloading companies. What we settled upon was pretty basic: wool fabric with neodymium (a.k.a. rare earth) magnets sewn into the hems. With a lot of the factory-installed panels removed from the inside of the van, every window had exposed metal surrounding it. So we ordered high quality Merino wool fabric from Pendleton Woolen Mills in Oregon and got to work.
We started by making paper patterns using measurements for each window cover. We measured an inch or two larger than each window to give a bit of metal for the covers to stick onto. Then we drew out our measurements on paper making sure to include extra length for each edge’s hem.
Once all the patterns were drawn and cut, it was time to cut the fabric (we invested in a really nice pair of fabric shears to ensure our cuts were precise and clean). We pinned each pattern to the fabric, and cut out our pieces.
The next step was kind of a big deal. Neither of us were adept at sewing. I have only sewn small projects way back in Home Economics class in middle school, and Becky had forgotten much about what she had learned about sewing from her grandmother (who was a professional seamstress). Regardless, we bought an inexpensive sewing machine, and Becky jumped right in. She was as nervous sewing as I was cutting wood for the cabinets (this was expensive Pendleton wool she was working with after all). After watching a handful of YouTube videos, the machine was set up, and she went at it.
I was so impressed with how natural sewing came to her. I believe she was channeling her granny during the process!
The final product of our window covers came out really great. They let in very little light in or out, and while camping in cold weather in Wyoming & Montana, the Merino wool really kept us warm. One of the best things about them is we are able to fold them and store them away in the overhead cabinet while driving. I don’t think we could have come up with a better idea.
