Make Your Own Canvas Top

Rear Curtain:



The main panel is the same size as a 2A rear curtain except for the added tail so that it can be used at the back of the half cab or the back of a full canopy.

I’ll make clearer drawings tomorrow. Sew the reinforcements around the edges.



I do my windows different than the originals. The originals are a thicker poly, the binding goes around the poly, then the whole thing is sewed to the outside of the curtain. I put the binding on the curtain:



.... then I sew a piece of poly to the inside:



Finally I trim out the excess around the perimeter:



The reason I do it this way is because I think it looks better from the outside, it leaves no open edges on the inside, and it is much easier to replace the poly if it every needs to be.



.... more

Totally awesome work!

I continue to be duly impressed with your work, Jeff, and that only pales to your willingness to share it 

I think I’ve found a source for good gray colored canvas:



It’s darker than these original examples but that’s not to say that it will fade some. It’s definitely more gray than olive drab. . .... Anywho, it conforms to the same specs as the military OD other than color.

The rear roof assembly techniques can be seen on page 2:
Make Your Own Canvas Top (page 2)

There are also drawings. Here is a drawing of the roof piece to the rear roof assembly:



Rear_Roof_Top_3A.pdf

If you are using cotton, you may add 1/2" to the length. I've said this before, and I will say it again, I can not stress enough that you should use these roof dimensions as a guideline. Same thing with the front roof. The best way to do this is:

1. Cut front roof piece and leave it extra long.
2. Sew the front face piece with coping to the front roof assembly
3. Install the roof piece on your jeep and drag it back over your bows
4. Use your front bows as an edge to mark a cut line. Leave 1/2" for a 5. hem and maybe a little more for shrinkage.

After the front roof is finished with zipper installed, you can use this same procedure for the rear roof. Make the roof piece first and leave it extra long. Sew the zipper to the front, then install everything on the jeep. Use your bows to mark the cut line leaving 1/2" for a hem.

Most jeeps are a little different. The windshield may tilt a little forward or back. The bows may tilt one way or another. If you just blindly cut your fabric to the drawings and make the pieces without checking, they may or may not fit.

I think my daughter has convinced me to turn this into a full business. If I have made you a canopy in the past, and your pictures are not on this forum, can you please take some pictures and email them to me or post them in this thread.

jpet@frontiernet.net

I will set up a website soon to separate any business dealings from this thread to be compliant with the rules of the forum. Thanks!

I hope this doesn't sour you on your Jeep hobby. I also am wondering about the manley scent of your washer and dryer------------or maybe you have a separate set to condition the tops out in the shop.

Jeff,

Edited by Stev - 28 Jan. 2020 at 7:24pm

That being said, I plan to offer custom designs.

This week we will be fabricating the front side curtains that go around the top bows behind the driver & passenger seats.