How to Sew a Patio Awning

Awnings help to add appeal and the appearance of additional square footage to your home. They also can help extend the life of your home and windows by shielding them from the sun. Awnings ordered professionally can be very costly, so some enterprising homeowners can opt to sew the awning themselves. This will save you quite a bit of money, but beware it may also cause you quite a bit of frustration. Be prepared to measure, measure, measure and plan, plan, plan.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Weather-resistant awning fabric
• Pinking shears
• Polyester thread
• Sewing machine
• Invisible silicone water repellant

Instructions

Sewing The Awning

1. Measure the awning frame. It is best to make a small diagram of the awning, then write in all dimensions as you take them. Awning fabric needs to be very tight, so it is important to take accurate measurements .

2. Purchase weather-resistant awning fabric. You can order it online, or you can try contacting a local awning business to see if they will sell you the fabric. Be sure to purchase enough fabric to cover the awning, and take into consideration any pattern your awning might have. Standard awning fabric is 47 1/2 inches wide.

3. Plan your awning strategy. Draw out your options and look around your neighborhood to get ideas. Once you have decided, draw a diagram using the awning frame measurements to figure out your fabric cuts.

4. Lay out the awning fabric and using pinking shears, cut the pieces you need. You will need one piece of fabric for the main awning, three small pieces for a hanging ruffle and three loop pieces for the awning frame to slide through. The measurements will all depend on your particular awning frame.

5. Using polyester thread and a sewing machine, sew the loop pieces to the underside of your main awning piece. Sew one first, and then try it on your awning frame to make sure that it is the right width for the frame. Continue sewing all the loop pieces on, trying it onto the frame continually to ensure a tight fit. The awning must be very tight to ensure it stands up to wind, rain and snow.

6. Attach the hanging ruffle to the main awning piece by sewing right sides together, first to the main awning and then to each other.

7. Turn it all right side out, lay it flat on an outdoor surface and spray two coats of invisible silicone water repellant to it. This will help keep it even more waterproof and extend the life of your awning.

8. Attach the awning to your frame and enjoy.

References

• Awnings