| Author |
Message |
bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4719
Location: United States, Iowa
|
 Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:43 pm Post subject: Skylight screen DIY repair |
 |
|
I know there are fine products out there for just a few dollars, but had the notion that I wanted to tear it down and replace the screen and Velcro myself, since the fabric was in decent shape, and matched the general state of my curtains in the vintage condition they are in. Here is how I went about this.
Initial state of the screen/cover:
I used a utility knife, but could have used a seam ripper. It went OK.
This part concerned me, I thought I might have to replace it, so I took a measurement. It is a kind of wrapper that encapsulates the edge of the screen that is not a Velcro edge.
The result - Not super sewing skills, but its done.
If I were to do another, I would not use sticky backed Velcro. It bound up on the sewing machine needle, causing plenty of grief.
I did this series of pictures to help myself put it all back together as it had come apart. Perhaps it will help someone else down the road. Even with all my photos, I did mess up one seam, but it turned out okay in the end, only taking one additional strip of Velcro.
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8623
Location: Arizona
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: Skylight screen DIY repair |
|
|
| bobbyblack wrote: |
If I were to do another, I would not use sticky backed Velcro. It bound up on the sewing machine needle, causing plenty of grief. |
Yeah, this stuff is made for a reason:
(Edit: Image of sew-on Velcro no longer available. Sew-on Velcro is available at your local sewing and craft stores, as well as Walmart.)
You also don't want to use stick-on Velcro when sewing by hand... not only will the needle get sticky, so will the thread.
Nice job. 
Like Dave, the Velcro oozed off my roof so I made a magnetic version.
_________________
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子
Last edited by kamzcab86 on Fri Nov 14, 2025 7:14 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bobbyblack
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4719
Location: United States, Iowa
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: Skylight screen DIY repair |
|
|
| kamzcab86 wrote: |
You also don't want to use stick-on Velcro when sewing by hand... not only will the needle get sticky, so will the thread.
Nice job.
Like Dave, the Velcro oozed off my roof so I made a magnetic version. |
Kamz, I should have just used Amazon, but instead I found my materials at a local SuperStore.. inexperience on my part with sewing through the sticky stuff. It's one reason I got a second hand sewing machine instead of taking my mom's offer to user her 1940's Singer. She did teach me how to use it when I was in my early teens, but I guessed at the 40 or so years in between, and no practical understanding of sewing would end up in disaster... Better to have a $20 one I can break without the attachment issue.
Also, Yes, I really like your use of magnets in what I have seen on your awesome series of DIY projects! I actually got the gumption to do this myself through my admiration of your work. You are a great inspiration! Thanks 
I was just lucky to have the roof portion of the Velcro firmly adhered with no issues, Else I certainty would have taken a different route.
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 7334
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
