How to Sew Wall-Mount Curtains for an RV

Wall-mounted curtains for RVs install on tracks.

Sewing wall-mounted curtains for a recreational vehicle is not much different than sewing simple curtains for a regular window. The difference is in the method of installation for the RV curtains. Wall-mounted RV curtains usually connect to the wall at the top and bottom of the curtain.



Tracks are installed above and below the window. The top and bottom hem of the RV wall curtain features a row of carriers that slide or pop into the tracks. By using sew-in vinyl carrier tape within the top and bottom curtain hems, you can attach the carrier on the outside of the curtain hem and then into the wall-mounted window track.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Fabric
• Chalk
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sew-in vinyl RV curtain carrier tape
• Hole punch or eyelet tool
• Sewing machine
• Sewing machine needle for vinyl (80/12 or 110/18)
• Thread
• Carriers
• Plastic window tracks installed

Instructions

Measuring the Window

1. Measure the length of the window from the outside edge of the top track to the outside edge of the bottom track. According to Camping World, don't rely on the size of the window. You are measuring the window and the space surrounding the window frame where the tracks are mounted.

2. Measure the width of the window from one inch outside the left window edge to one inch outside the right window edge.

3. Add 4.5 inches to the window length to determine the modified length of the curtain. This extra fabric is seam allowance for top and bottom hems and for enclosing the sew-in carrier tape.

4. Multiply the width of the window by two. Divide this measurement by two to determine the width of each panel. Wall mounted RV curtains traditionally have two panels so you can open them in the center.

Measuring and Cutting the Fabric

1. Lay the fabric on a table with the wrong side facing up.

2. Draw with chalk onto the fabric. Mark two rectangles measuring the modified length (see Section 1 Step 3) by the panel width (Section 1 Step 4).

3. Cut the two rectangles from the fabric. These are the two curtain panels.

Sewing the Curtains

1. Lay one fabric panel horizontally onto the table with the wrong side facing up. Fold the left edge of the fabric over 1/4 inch onto the wrong side of the fabric, and then fold it over 1/2 inch. Pin the hem. Repeat for the right edge of the fabric. Repeat for the other fabric panel.

2. Sew the right and left hems using a straight stitch and 1/2 seam allowance. Remove the pins. Repeat for the other panel.

3. Lay one panel horizontally on the table with the wrong side facing up. Fold the bottom edge over 1/4 inch. Pin the hem. Repeat for the top edge. Pin. Repeat for the other panel.

4. Sew the top and bottom hems using a 1/4-inch seam allowance and a straight stitch. Remove the pins. Repeat for the other panel.

5. Measure and cut two pieces of vinyl carrier tape to the width of the hemmed panel.

6. Lay the panel onto the table with the wrong side facing up. Fold the hemmed top edge over one inch against the wrong side of the fabric. Repeat for the hemmed bottom edge.

7. Insert the vinyl carrier tape with the snaps facing up beneath the fold of the top edge, aligning the bottom edge of the tape with the bottom edge of the hem. Repeat for the hemmed bottom edge.

8. Locate the snap "bumps" beneath the folded top curtain panel edge. Rub the bumps with chalk to indicate where each snap is positioned. Repeat for the bottom panel edge. Remove the inserted vinyl carrier tape.

9. Use a hole punch intended for fabric use or an eyelet tool to punch holes on top of each chalk mark. Place the panel horizontally onto the table with the wrong side facing up. Fold the top and bottom edge over one inch as in Section 3 Step 5.

10. Insert the vinyl carrier tape with the snaps facing up under the folded top edge. Align the snaps with the holes in the fabric. Pin through the fabric, the vinyl tape and the lowermost layer of fabric. Repeat for bottom panel edge.

11. Insert a machine needle intended for sewing vinyl. Sew the top edge using a straight stitch and a one-inch seam allowance. Make sure you are sewing through the bottom edge of the vinyl tape to secure the tape within the fabric fold. Remove the pins. Repeat for the bottom panel edge.

12. Repeat Section 3 Steps 6 to 11 for the second curtain panel.

Installing the Carriers

1. Lay the finished panels with the wrong side facing up.

2. Snap the carriers to the exposed snaps along the top and bottom edges of the panels.

3. Insert or snap the carriers into the tracks along the top and bottom of the RV window. Some tracks require an end cap to be snapped or screwed to the ends of each track to secure the carriers. Arrange as desired.

References

• Camping World: How to Measure for Wall-Mount RV Curtains
• Sewing and Craft Alliance: Sewing Machine Needles Chart

Resources

• Camping World: Glide Tape Product
• RV Living: Give Your RV a Classy Facelift