[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #288

[MaryDotson@xxxxxxx]

Thanks to all for the suggestions on the interior paint removal and the  
upper cabinets.  I will be doing a work weekend on our darlin' toaster this  
weekend, so I will report back about the results.
 
As for awning, we have a similar case of  former zipdeeitis.  I am going to 
go the dirt cheap and lazy way,  since spening $500+ for a custom job is just 
too much for a  rather optional item.  
 
At Home Depot, I bought two painters tarps (plan to use  only one--keep the 
other for paint removal inside).  Most tarps there  are heavy rough canvas, but 
the ones I bought are both white, of a  lighter weight but finer grade 
canvas.  My biggest choice is picking which  one--one is backed with rubber.  
However, having looked at a vintage awning  (belonging to a friend who has a canned 
ham) the not-backed one feels like the  vintage one.  I opened the cloth one 
up--and to my delight I found that  they flat felled the seams joining the 
selvages of the fabric!  However,  there was also a big dirty footprint in the 
middle, so I'm planning to wash it  (anyhow, it needs to be pre-shrunk).  Then I 
plan to sew a piece of rope  into the end, like welting or piping.  In the 
vintage ones, this fit into  the awning channel. For poles, I have ordered a 
bunch of retractable poles  from _www.campmor.com_ (http://www.campmor.com) .  I 
will sew a  bit of heavier canvas at the stake-out points as reinforcement, 
then pound in  big brass grommets for pole insertion at those points.
 
 I'll also seam a channel in the front and sides (leaving a bit  to flop down 
as valance), to insert lateral reinforcement poles (in the vintage  one, this 
stoped it from slumping down at the sides).  Then I will miter  the valance 
sides and paint stripes on it (that was done on the vintage  one!).  Then if I 
feel really ambitious, I may cut a wavy edge on the  valance (or leave it 
straight) and sew on some cotton bullion edging.
 
Did I say cheap?  Here's my estimate based on materials  gathered:
 
Tarp:  22.00   (rubberized version is $20, I  think)
3" masking tape:  6.95
Paint:  1.00 ("oops" item returned to Home Depot then resold at  
discount--aclyd [acrylic] exterior paint)
Cheap foam paint brush:  .50
Grommets:  2.00 (already own grommet tools, fwiw)
3 steel telescoping tent poles (at 8.00 each):  24.00
thread, rope, reinforcing material, stake out line, tent stakes etc. will  be 
scavenged from stuff I already own.
 
Optional items I may add in:
Dye it a fun color:  about $5.00
Wash-in water repellant (2 bottles at 10):  20.00
 
4 steel ridge poles (at 22.00 each):  88.00 (for lateral  reinforcements)

11 yards cotton 3" bullion fringe (so far, see for best price  $3/yard):  
33.00 
 
So, my basic option is only $56.45!  Plus, since the  tarp came with felled 
seams, all I have to do is sew the valance,  reinforcements and rope 
edge--painting on the stripes will be the only  labor intensive job.  For $5 more, I can 
pre-dye it a fun color with a  handy package of rit dye.  I will probably 
also run it  through the machine with a bit of wash-in (nikwax) water repellant.  
I  am not sure about using the ridge poles for reenforcement ones since they  
are so expensive (yes, I am cheap)--so I think I'll try it without them at  
first.  The bullion trim may be my downfall though.  It would look so  neat 
with a nice fringe and wavy valance!  
 
Mary