How To: Make an Awning

One of the key design elements in the baby’s nursery was an indoor awning hanging over her crib.  Usually, awnings are over windows, but not today! 

Here’s the tutorial!

Materials:

1/2” plywood

10-ft 1x4 pine board

fabric lining- 2 1/2 – 3 yards

drill and drill bits, screwdriver and screws, pencil, measuring tape, staple gun/stapler, L-brackets

2 1/2 yds fabric,or more

sewing machine (serger optional- I finished all my edges)

Let’s Begin!

Figure out what dimensions you want your awning!  I wanted mine to extend halfway over the crib, and a good 18” down the wall.  Connect those lines to make your hypotenuse.

You will be cutting off the top point and the front point to make room for the 1x4. 

It is a good idea to first make a cardboard mock-up, and then use it as a template.  Keep the template for later.

Using a jig saw, cut out your plywood pieces.  Ok, I let my husband do it, but you can too!

While you are in the cutting mood, cut your 1x4 into two lengths, each 58” long. 

You will want to cover all these cut wood pieces with lining fabric and your staple gun/stapler.  The side plywood pieces require some creative wrapping, but it isn’t very difficult.  (**you’ll see I have three wood pieces; only two are necessary and we ended up taking the third one out later, so just ignore it.)

When all your pieces are wrapped, it is a good idea to pre-drill your holes where your screws go so the fabric doesn’t get all twisted or go crazy.  We cut slits in the fabric with an x-acto knife too, just to be on the safe side.  We opted to do two screws per wood board.

Then, screw the pieces together!  Ignore that back piece- it was nice keeping the frame sturdy while working with it, but we didn’t want to see it when it was hung on the wall, so we removed it

When the frame is put together, cover that big gaping hole with lining.  Pull the lining nice and taut so the patterned fabric will lay nice and flat against it.

It looked so awesome at this point, I was squealing.  I knew it would be perfect for the nursery!

Ok, you’ll have three pieces to cut from your fabric.  First, the big rectangle- the super easy part.  Measure the width of your awning and add 1” for seam allowances.  Then, measure the height, or in this case the angled side, and add the top width and the scallop drop, plus 1”.  I wanted the scallops to hang 5”, so I added 6” to the height and top measurement.  You’ll have a big rectangle when you are done.

Next, pull out that cardboard template you used to cut the wood pieces.  Put it on your fabric to trace out your two side pieces.  Add 1/2” seam allowance on all sides, and add that 6” scallop length to the bottom. 

I did a trial run where I just basted the side pieces to the rectangle starting at the bottom (just pin well when the rectangle has to turn around the side angles,and make small clips in the fabric if you have to and you’ll be fine), and it fit like a glove.  PERFECTLY.  Awesome!!  Then I sewed the pieces all together.

From the remaining fabric, cut long pieces that are longer than your scallop (I cut 8”) and the same width as your three main awning pieces.  I pieced my strips together to get the right measurement.

On this long strip, trace your scallops.  I did lots of math and figured my scallops at 5” wide apiece. 

Next, line up your scallop strip right sides together along the bottom of the awning fabric. 

I matched up my seams to make them less noticeable, but it was bulky.  I worked with it and you can’t even tell from looking at it.

Sew along the scallop lines you traced. To get a nice scallop, stop right before you get to the inside point of your scallop, put your needle down and your presser foot up, and pivot your fabric.

Stitch ONE stitch, and stop and pivot again.  Continue sewing along your drawn line.

After you have sewn along each scallop, trim closely to each scallop.  Use pinking shears if you have them, or just have fun cutting all those v’s!  It will be worth it when you turn it inside out.  When you get to the inside points, cut a small “Y”, careful not to cut into your stitching.

Turn inside out and iron.

Fit the fabric over your awning frame again, and staple the fabric to the frame along the top and back, wherever it won’t be seen easily.

Hang with some L-brackets securely on the wall (or above a window), and you’re done!

I hope someone out there uses this and makes an awesome awning too!  I love it; it is probably the best thing I’ve made in a long time. 

Yay! 

I’m sharing this with some of my friends, at

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