Copying Camper Curtains: A Step-By-Step Guide

Camper curtains are a great way to add a homely feel, extra warmth, and privacy to your campervan. They are not too hard to make and can be done on a budget. You can choose from a variety of options, such as sewing your own curtains or using adhesive methods like Velcro or magnets. Before installing your curtains, it is important to measure and cut the tracks to length, ensuring they fit your window size and shape. You will also need to decide on the type of curtain rod or wire you want to use and the fabric for your curtains. This can be a thick blackout fabric or a combination of fabric and reflective window insulation.

Choosing the right fabric

When choosing the right fabric for your camper curtains, there are a few key factors to consider. Firstly, decide on the functionality you want from your curtains. Do you want them to block out light, or are you more concerned with climate control and insulation? Perhaps you want a combination of both. In that case, consider using blackout fabric as a liner for a patterned fabric of your choice.

Blackout fabric is an excellent option for privacy and light control, especially at night. It can be challenging to find patterned blackout fabric by the yard, but you can easily attach a blackout liner to any fabric. Alternatively, you can purchase premade blackout curtains and cut them to size, which may be more cost-effective and save time.

If you're on a budget, simple fabric will work just fine. You can even repurpose bedsheets or buy premade curtains and adapt them to fit your camper windows. Consider the weight of the fabric and the mounting method. For example, heavy fabric won't stay in place with adhesive velcro. If your windows tilt outwards at the bottom, you may need to use velcro tabs or magnets to hold the curtains against the window frame or siding.

When choosing a patterned fabric, ensure that you cut the pieces correctly so that the pattern hangs in the same direction once completed. Additionally, if you're particular about symmetry, cut the fabric pieces so that they look good together when lined up in the windows. Wash and iron the fabric before cutting to avoid any surprises later.

Finally, consider the durability and ease of maintenance of the fabric. Camper curtains can get exposed to sunlight, condensation, and stains, so choose a fabric that is easy to clean and resistant to mould and mildew.

Measuring and cutting

Measure Your Windows:

Before you start cutting your fabric, you need to measure the windows in your camper. Measure the length and width of each window you want to cover. Decide on the style of your curtains, whether you want them to cover all the windows, or just specific areas. For example, you might want curtains for the side windows and drop-down curtains for the front and back.

Plan Your Curtain Placement:

Consider how you want your curtains to hang. Will they be mounted at the top of the window, or do you need to allow for tilted windows? If your windows tilt outwards, you may need to add some extra length to your curtains to ensure they cover the glass adequately.

Measure and Cut the Curtain Track (if applicable):

If you're using a curtain track system, like the Silent Gliss system, you'll need to measure and cut the tracks to the appropriate length. These tracks are usually made of aluminium and come with plastic sliders and curtain hooks. Cut the tracks roughly to size, but it's best to fine-tune the measurements before drilling any holes.

Measure and Cut Your Fabric:

Use your window measurements to cut your fabric to size. Be sure to leave enough room for hems and, if needed, a tunnel at the top (and bottom) of the curtain for the curtain rod or wire to slide through. If you're using patterned fabric, ensure that the pattern is level and that the curtains will hang with the pattern facing the right way up.

Wash and Iron Your Fabric:

It's a good idea to wash and possibly iron your fabric before cutting. This will prevent any shrinkage after the curtains are made, ensuring a perfect fit.

Consider Blackout Fabric:

If you want your curtains to block out light, consider using blackout fabric. You can either buy premade blackout curtains and cut them to size or attach blackout curtain liner to your chosen fabric.

Measure and Cut Other Materials:

If you're using other materials like reflectix (reflective window insulation), cut them to size as well. For reflectix, measure slightly beyond the size of the glass if you plan to wedge it into the window track.

Double-Check Your Measurements:

Before cutting, double-check all your measurements to ensure they are accurate. It's better to measure twice and cut once to avoid any mistakes.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating well-fitted DIY camper curtains that enhance the comfort and privacy of your campervan.

Attaching the curtains

There are several ways to attach your curtains to your campervan, depending on your preferences and the equipment you have available.

If you don't want to use nails or screws, one option is to use small rare earth magnets sewn into your curtain lining. These will stick to the metal window frames. If your window frames are not metal, you can epoxy some magnets onto the shell or glue a strip of ferrous metal just above the window for the magnets to stick to.

Another option is to use Velcro. For this, you will need to cut fabric to the same shape and size as your window. You can then use strips of Velcro on the fabric or magnets in the hem to attach it to your existing vehicle headliner or window frame. If you are attaching the fabric to the window frame, you will need to sew one side of the Velcro onto the fabric and adhere the other side to the frame. If you are attaching it to the headliner, sew the scratchy side of the Velcro onto your fabric and attach it directly to the headliner. If you are using lightweight fabric, you can also use self-adhesive Velcro, although this may not be as strong.

If you are happy to use screws, you can attach your curtains using a set of popper sets, which come with self-tapping screws. You will need a popper tool to fix the press studs together.

Another option is to use a curtain rail system, such as the Silent Gliss system. This involves fitting an aluminium extrusion to your campervan and attaching plastic sliders, which the curtain hooks then attach to. You will need to cut the rails to the right length and drill holes to screw them into place.

Finally, the cheapest option is to use wire and clips (also called a curtain rod). You will need to drill holes and screw the wire into place, then attach the curtains using clips.

Sewing tips

• Measure twice, cut once! It's always better to be cautious and double-check your measurements before cutting your fabric.
• Wash and iron your fabric before cutting and sewing. This will ensure your curtains hang nicely and you can get rid of any potential creases.
• If you're using a patterned fabric, make sure the pattern is level and that the fabric pieces you cut will look good together when lined up in the windows.
• Consider the weight of the fabric and the method you're using to mount the curtain. For example, heavy fabric won't stay in place with adhesive velcro.
• If you're using adhesive velcro, don't use a sewing machine to sew it to your fabric—it will gunk up the machine.
• If your windows tilt outwards at the bottom, you'll need to take this into account when deciding on your curtain design. For example, you can use velcro tabs or magnets to hold the curtain against the window frame or siding.
• When attaching velcro to your curtains, position it 1/2 inch in from the edge. This creates a cleaner look once the curtains are mounted, as the velcro pieces and the frame will be covered by the fabric.
• If you're using a sewing machine, opt for sew-on velcro rather than adhesive velcro. It creates a stronger bond that will withstand the test of time and it won't damage your machine.
• If you're hand-sewing your curtains, make sure to use a needle and thread that match the colour of your fabric. Black and white thread are good staples to have on hand.
• If you're sewing by hand, consider using a tutorial to help you get the hang of it.
• If you're using a sewing machine, be mindful of the type of needle and thread you're using. Make sure they're suitable for the fabric you've chosen.
• Take your time and be careful not to sew over any pins you're using to secure your fabric. Sewing over pins can damage your machine and break your needles.
• If you're drilling holes to attach your curtains, be mindful of the drill bit size and screw length. You don't want your screws to be too long and protrude from the tracks.

Installation

There are several ways to install camper curtains without screws or nails. One option is to use small magnets sewn into the curtain lining, which will stick to metal window frames. If your window frames are not metal, you can epoxy some magnets onto the shell and check the magnet polarity before gluing. Alternatively, you can glue a strip of ferrous metal just above the window for the magnets to stick to.

Another option is to use Velcro. You can attach Velcro to the curtains and the window frame or vehicle headliner. If attaching to the window frame, use both the hook and loop sides of the Velcro, with one side sewn onto the fabric and the other adhered to the frame. If attaching to the headliner, use lightweight fabric and lightweight Velcro, as this bond is not as secure.

If your camper has tilted windows, you can use additional Velcro tabs or sew magnets into the bottom hem of the curtain to hold it against the frame. You can also create a rod at the bottom of the window to hold the curtain in place.

For a quick and easy option, you can use Reflectix window covers. Cut the Reflectix to the size of the windows and wedge it in the tracks. This provides insulation and complete privacy, but it does not allow for partial opening and must be stored when not in use.

If you are installing curtain tracks, run a single slider all the way around the fitted tracks to ensure there are no kinks and everything runs freely. Check that you have all the necessary parts, including the track, sliders, hooks, screws, and end stops. Measure and cut the tracks to length, and drill holes to attach the tracks to the window frame. You may need to bend the tracks by hand to fit certain sections of the window; be careful not to put a kink in the track, which will stop the sliders from moving.

Frequently asked questions