DIY caravan window awning guide

There are various ways to enhance the travelling experience when touring around in your caravan, and one of these is to make some removable caravan window awnings.

A big step up from the dark tinting on many caravan windows, removable window awnings offer many benefits including increased privacy, reduced sun glare, and decreased heat penetration, and they are relatively easy to create for anyone with basic sewing skills.

Crafting these window awnings yourself requires minimal effort and typically involves measuring the dimensions of your caravan windows, cutting the fabric to size, and stitching it into place with simple fastenings for easy removal and attachment.

The DIY approach also saves money compared to purchasing pre-made awnings, and allows for customisation to suit any specific needs and preferences.

The materials needed for this project are inexpensive and widely available at most haberdashery stores.

When choosing the fabric for your awnings, consider factors such as weather resistance, ease of cleaning, and aesthetic appeal. Ideally choose a durable fabric, such as canvas or outdoor polyester. We chose a plain furniture material for the inner liner, and one with a pattern that suited the colour of our van for the outer liner.

The first step is to create a mock-up pattern from some leftover calico. This is helpful as it allows you to test the fit and fine-tune the function to suit your windows. It also allows you to experiment with the top-locating tab placement.

Beware that caravan windows are not always made accurately. We found a 10mm variance in window sizes, so be sure to measure each window individually.

Once you have the pattern sorted, lay it on top of the new material, cut out each awning, and sow them together. Overall, the whole process took us about 12 hours from start to finish.

Another handy time-saving tip is to do a section and then trial-fit the awning. This allows you to make any required adjustments and will also save you a lot of unpicking later if something doesn’t quite fit.

You don’t have to have scalloped ends on your awnings; that was our personal choice. But if you’re considering creating scalloped ends, here is how you should do it. Use a bowl from the kitchen and start in the centre of the awning; evenly marking out the scallop pattern to each edge.

The base of the awning has a 25mm piece of elastic to secure it to the window, and the upper strap has a Velcro strip to secure the upper part of the window.

The first thing to do is open the window far enough so that it stays open but has some flexibility to move. Then, unfold the awning and make sure the Velcro straps are open and not attached to each other. Once you’ve done that, grab the top corners of the awning and slide it up the outside of the window until it reaches the top. Slide the small straps over each corner of the window.

Then, place the bottom elastic strap over the window latches, and finally, grab the Velcro straps and attach them together. That’s it!

Removing the awnings is just as easy, if not more straightforward. Place the elastic strap on the outside of the window latch leavers. Then, grab the Velcro strap and pull it apart. Lift the awning up, so the top locating straps are clear of the window. It should then easily lift off the window.