What a great build thread! I've been getting the van "itch" again, and this is just making it worse!
Quote:
Originally Posted by boywonder
The plan is to trim them with webbing or cotton binding. Our first attempt with your basic Singer sewing machine was an epic fail......
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Double-layered nylon webbing will not work with a household sewing machine. Cotton binding (and I assume you mean "quilt binding" which is significantly wider that "seam binding") will be easier to sew. If you can find poly/cotton "quilt binding," that will be more stable over time. And buy a good supply of sewing machine needles, as the stack that you are going through will dull them quickly. Change needles often.
For my last van, I made the window coverings in a similar way: black headliner (exterior), reflectix, grey headliner (interior). Cut the pieces of headliner and reflectix larger than the window, and larger than you need for naked reflectix covers, because sewing trim on will draw in the edges a bit.
For the trim, I used strips of vinyl (cheap naugahyde?) so that I didn't have to worry about fraying, and it was stiffer than quilt binding. That stabilized the edges nicely, and they didn't take a beating when being snugged into the rim of the window.
For occasions when I didn't need the reflectix for insulation or total stealth (and honestly, they were a pain to store and put up), I made curtains from a light cotton fabric lined with blackout cloth. I used these 90% of the time.
In case you had any doubt: yes, a sewing machine
is a power tool!
Question: how are you attaching the interior structures to the van? Like you, I left the interior wall trim in place, and so I was left with screwing into plastic, or screwing the bases of my cabinets into the plywood floor, or using bolts in the holes left by the seat brackets. I always wished I had a better way -- like screwing cabinets into furring strips which were screwed to the ribs of the van (an option cargo vans).
Honda Elements: I bought a low-mileage 2008 AWD Element EX as my non-van camping vehicle last summer, and have never been comfortable in it for drives longer than 1.5 hours. Short legs? And there are challenges making a satisfactory sleeping platform that doesn't block access to the spare. On the other hand, it is great for hauling bicycles locally! Nonetheless, I've decided that I'll sell the Element and get another van.
Yep, the van itch is getting stronger....
Cheers,
GreyDawg