Cutting and draping

by John W. Stephenson

For awnings wider than 6.0, with a projection of 4.0 or over, the iron is usually made in three sections (as Figure [149]), and if more than 9.0 wide a centre support is put in like Figure [149A]. Small store awnings may be made as above, but for large sizes roller awnings (as Figure [150]) will be found much more substantial and easy of manipulation.

The roller is either made of iron tubing wrapped with canvas and the duck sewn to it, or it can be built up of wood (as Figure [150C]), the laps or joints wound with band iron and the whole securely nailed together.

Plate 155

Put an iron hoop on each end to keep the pin from spreading it, and provide one end with a spool (as X, Figure [150B]). The rope is attached to and wound upon the spool and the roller put in the brackets. If the roller is long enough to require a centre support, Figure [149B] provides an excellent bracket. The side arms are placed in position as indicated in Figure [150], so that they will throw up straight with the edge of the bar in line with the roller (Figure [150B]). The bar is made of clear straight pine 2 × 4 inches, and the duck is first tacked to the roller and then to the bar, as Figure [150].

The ends are made and attached, as illustrated by Figure [150A], and need not be further explained. The awning is manipulated by pulling the rope which unwinds, causing the roller to revolve and releasing the rope allows the weight of the awning to make the roller revolve the reverse way, winding up the rope.

Veranda awnings are constructed as are other awnings, and increase the comfort and shade of a veranda, the same rule of proportion as given above being used in the measuring and the feet of the iron attached to the posts of the veranda. In many cases veranda awnings are impracticable, and veranda curtains are used as a substitute. These are constructed to work horizontally (as Figure [151]), or mounted on rollers (as Figures [152 and 153]). Of the two styles those of Figures [152 and 153] are more preferable, because when not in use they may be drawn up completely, while the other is more or less exposed to the elements at all times.

The rollers may be a spring shade roller mounted in the ordinary way, or a roller with a spool and cord, identical in principle with the roller shown in Figure [150], and the bottom of the curtain is provided with snaps to hold it in place when down.

In Plate 154 we give a table of the ordinary sized awnings, giving the quantities of iron and duck required in their making. We have figured on thirty-one-inch reversible duck, cutting the ends as marked out in Figure [143].

The awning trade is essentially a Summer trade and the season necessarily short, and as customers usually postpone the purchase of these things until they are really needed, this work must be handled quickly to be successful. We have found it a good plan where possible to arrange for recovering and renewing this work for regular customers during the late Winter months, when the workroom is apt to be a little slack.