Curtains

[Theis]

I have located material for curtains that has the newest technology - an instant fade feature. It reminds me of the old disappearing ink. Buy the material with the neat multi-colored pattern, go to the trouble of having it made into curtains, put the curtains on the boat, and two weekends later they are pale yellow with blotches of what used to be color.

Question: Does anyone have any recommendations of the old type of material/fabric/curtains with which they have had multi-season success? Sunbrella material is not what I had in mind. And Joanne Fabrics/Minnesota Fabrics, although they have an infinite variety of materials, they apparently all have the new, hi-tech instant fade feature.

[Bill]

That's why window curtains are made with linnings on the back (sun) side!

[Theis]

Understood. But those linings are visible from the outside and can look worse/less attractive/more boring than the vibrant high tech instant fade fabric.. The Ariel is blessed with big windows by today's standards and I would like to avoid klutzing exterior visuals with blah fabric. Perhaps it is not possible. There may be a UV spray for high tech throw away material that might help. West Marine has curtains that are expensive and routine and are UV protected - hopefully don't fade. Perhaps I should find out what material they use and look for the material in other pattterns. I just have to believe someone out there has interesting UV protected, non fade, mildew resistant material.

[Bill]

Speak with those people who supplied your cushion fabric. They may have some suggestions, but I think you will find that Sunbrella was created because you can't have everything in one fabric :(

[Theis]

Good suggestion. They may have something to suggest, but in talking to them, since they are wholesalers, I have to lead them to believe that I am looking for thousands of yards, but to not have a sales representative call. And you may be right that such a thing is not out there - which is worth knowing. I'll get back after contacting Keystone (they are impossible) and looking at the West material.

[commanderpete]

You might want to check places that sell curtains for RVs.

I came across this one awhile ago. Not sure how UV resistant they are

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/products/index.cfm?prodID=1947&src=SRCH&tcode=37

[commanderpete]

They also sell this UV spray

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=11461&src=SRCH&tcode=37

[Theis]

The spray is interesting and may be the cat's meow and do the trick. The problem with premade curtains is that a) the Ariel takes 6 of them, and the cost in the recommended catalog is $50 plus each - $20 plus in the West catalog b) the size of each is relatively custom, and c) the snap-on connector placement may be as well. The bottom line is that I don't see much of an alternative to buying virgin material, and having my favorite ethnic storefront sew somthing up for me. But this time I don't want them to complain when I return a few weeks after installation to get warranty service that the curtains were'nt the same ones they made because they look so different and then, even worse, be accused, in some strange language, of perpetrating a fraud. It is really tough out here.

[Mike Goodwin]

Saying Sunbrella is like saying General Motors , There are more kinds of sunbrella than what your dodger and sailcovers are made from . My wife ( who was a pro boat interior specialist ) just made new cushions for #45 and covered them with sunbrella that is made just for cushions .
She says Sunbrella Spun Splash is good for curtains also Sunbrella Sling .
You need to see the sample books .

[Bill]

Hey Mike, what does she charge for cushions? Does she do out-of-town boats? :)

Bill (no cushions)

[Mike Goodwin]

She is somewhat retired from that biz and signed a non-compete clause with her former boss and friend who's shop she still uses when we need work .
The shipping would kill any saving , but they were never the cheapest shop , just the best . They won several awards year after year at the Miami Boatshow and Marine Fabricators Convention .

[Theis]

Mike:

That is good info about Sunbrella. I had thought that Sunbrella was only the ir0nclad stuff that sailcovers and dodgers were made from - super heavy stuff that doesn't flap in a hurricane or when hit by canonballs. I'll follow your suggestion and get a colorsheet or whatever of fabric suitable for curtains. If there is some variety, other than plain colors or little anchors or sailboats on a baby blue background, that should be perfect. To get a Sunbrella catalog, who do I contact? I could probably dig up the address/email but suggestions would be appreciated if it is handy.

[Mike Goodwin]

They have swatch books of fabric but they don't just give them out . Good upholstry shops should let you see them , we used a stripe as you can see and kept the color muted .
The sunbrella you know is awning fabric , just the tip of their iceberg .

[Theis]

Thanks. I'm on my way to my favorite ethnic upholstery shop and will report back with news (It may take a week or two or longer, the way I am moving these days - or is it that the days are moving faster.?

[Theis]

Here's the latest scoop on Sunbrella. They have an excellent selection of colors - the selection being available on their website at www.sunbrella.com. They also tell you how to get small quantities through a distributor. In response to the question about the weight of the material, this is what they had to say:
-----Original Message-----

Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 10:32 PM
To: cs-sunbrella@glenraven.com
Subject: curtains

Q: I am interested in Sunbrella for curtains on a sailboat. What weights
does the fabric come in? What weight should I specify for curtains (I can
not imagine awning/sail cover material for curtains? Can it be used for
curtains, or what would you suggest?

Thanks.

Dear Peter,

Happy to help! We have six types of Sunbrella(r) Fabrics...It's all best
explained in comparison -

Sunbrella(r) Awning fabric - 46" wide, "slit" selvages, highly water
repellant finish. 5-year Limited Warranty. 9.25 ounces per square yard.

Sunbrella(r) Marine fabric - identical to above except it is 60" wide and
only available in solid colors. 'Breathable' and comfortable as in Marine
applications. 5-year Limited Warranty. 9.25 ounces per square yard. Makes
for a fine, sturdy, market umbrella, too.

Sunbrella(r) "Plus" fabric - identical to Sunbrella(r) Marine fabric with
the addition of a polyurethane backcoating that makes the "Plus" fabric VERY
water repellant and highly dimensionally stable. Not as breathable, though.
5-year Limited Warranty. 10 ounces per square yard.

Sunbrella Firesist(r) fabric - 60" wide, inherently flame retardant fabric
(it is NOT a finish, and can't be washed out), awning 'weight" fabric.
5-year Limited Warranty. 9.25 ounces per square yard.

Sunbrella(r) Firesist "Plus" fabric - identical to Sunbrella(r) Firesist
fabric with the addition of a acrylic/urethane backcoating that makes the
"Plus" fabric VERY water repellant and highly dimensionally stable. 5-year
Limited Warranty. 10.25 ounces per square yard.

Sunbrella(r) Furniture fabric - 54" wide, lighter weight construction with
less of a 'finish' in order to make the fabric soft and supple for use in
casual (outdoor) furniture, boat cushions, and market umbrellas. Excellent
'hand' and drapes well. Available in over 150 beautiful styles. 3-year
Limited Warranty.

Thanks for your inquiry!


Sincerely,


---
Sunbrella Customer Service
cs-sunbrella@glenraven.com <mailto:cs-sunbrella@glenraven.com>
Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, LLC




So, it looks like the furniture fabric is my alternative.

[Mike Goodwin]

That's what my wife's shop always used !

[Theis]

Here's some more information from Sunbrella:

Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 8:24 PM
To: cs-sunbrella@glenraven.com
Subject: Re: Sunbrella(r) Fabric

Thanks for your response. But there are now a couple more questions. From what you said, it would appear the furniture fabric is what should be used for curtains.

1. You mentioned over 150 styles. On the web there are fewer that 150 styles for furniture fabric. How do I find out what is available?

2. The "boat" fabrics on the web are much spiffier - and more to my liking - than the subdued "furniture fabrics". For the furniture fabric weight, do I only look at "furniture fabric" or are the boat fabrics available also in the furniture fabric weight?

Thanks. Sorry to bother you with petty details and I do appreciate the prompt response.

Peter

No problem!

1) We show 132 'stock' styles on the web, but many designers offer 'special' styles and patterns of Sunbrella(r) that we weave just for them - most notably Joe Ruggiero ( http://www.ruggieroideas.com/home.html ), and The Astrup Company has a Sunbrella(r) Marine Interior collection called
Argonaut(r) ( http://www.astrup.com ). There is a lot out there!

2) No, the Awning/Marine weight fabrics, especially the awning stripes, have no direct counterpart in the Furniture line - but many folks make cushions and umbrellas out them anyway - it makes for a nice crisp looking cushion, it's just a bit stiffer in 'hand' than the furniture fabrics.

Hope this helps!

Sincerely,

---
Sunbrella Customer Service
cs-sunbrella@glenraven.com <mailto:cs-sunbrella@glenraven.com>
Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, LLC