I am wondering if there are any how-to articles out there on installing layout skirting. I have a relative who is handy with a sewing machine and am wondering what is the best way to install the fabric. Would velcro hold up the fabric? How long should the fabric panels be? Would it be better to hang it like curtains? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Scott
Yah, Hook em around the layout and pleat the lot. All the way around.
Now are you sitting down?
Good.
A yard of fabric is going to be expensive. So many yards are going to be needed. I THINK.... 3 feet equals a yard. So a layout 12 feet long on one side probably will take 4 yards.
If you pleat them to be nicer, it might take you 5 yards to get it done.
Now.
Think about your wiring runs. Make sure that no fabric you plan to hang is anywhere NEAR wiring or boards carrying current. YOU DONT WANT anything to generate heat around that fabric.
Course you hang Canvas Tarping on there and be fine. Who knows?
I use velcro. I prefer flat, tight skirts. When I get my sewing machine running I will add more velcro areas. The more velcro areas, the easier it is to take a section down to get at what is stored underneith. I use skirts as long as the material permits. I picked up upholstery scraps at the local materials store. People say they look ok.
If I ever get around to it, nice wood cabinets would look good, but I may never get to that.
Last Chance A yard of fabric is going to be expensive. So many yards are going to be needed. I THINK.... 3 feet equals a yard. So a layout 12 feet long on one side probably will take 4 yards.
Just to clarify, yes a yard of fabric is equivalent to three feet of fabric length as it comes off the roll. However, depending on what type of fabric you buy, the width of the fabric as it comes off the roll can vary anywhere from 44 inches for regular cotton products to 54 inches for drapery fabric. If you use the fabric as it is unrolled (like toilet paper), this is called "railroading the fabric". Generally "railroading" is used if there is not a pattern on the fabric. But if you railroad and the desired height of the curtain is less than the fabric width, you will be cutting off the excess. The edges of the fabric will need to be "hemmed" to give a nice finished edge.
Concerning price, JoAnns Fabric Stores usually have a 50% off coupon in a newspaper insert, in a mailer, or available on-line if you do an internet search. The 50% off is for a single cut length of fabric, but a cut length can be anywhere from 1 yard to as many yards as you need so long as it is in a single length.
Cheap flat bed sheets from a dollar store work too if you can find a color or pattern you like. Cheap curtain rods work to hold them up if you someone that can sow a rod pocket into the top.
You can also sew metal washers onto the material. You can then attach magnets to the layout legs, facia. etc. Easy on and off.
Use landscaping weed-block fabric. Attach it using any of the methods already mentioned. Cheap, readily available, and easy to work with.
Besides, you don't really want any color or pattern below the fascia because you don't want to divert attention from the layout itself.
Steve
Try using clothepins, glued to the benchwork or back of the facia, to hold the skirting.
I use landscape fabric:
Held up by clothes pins:
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
Landscape fabric works well, just be sure to avoid the type that has been treated to kill weeds. Those can be a bit odiferous in the train room.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Steve,
In what widths does the landscape fabric come? I think I've only seen it in 3 foot wide rolls at Lowes or Home Depot.
Bob
3 feet is the most common width. I have seen in it 4 foot widths as well, although this is usually the highed (read most expensive) grade.
I like your mounting technic Nick, simple and hidden
You can also try Party World or Michael"s Art Stores for pleated skirts for party tables, I used this for my portable display (color was not my choice but it matched our booth)
They come in different lenths and colors, all are about standard table height, this one was 9' long, so it covered 3 sides of the portable, elastic backed and we used some pushpins to hold it up but stapling velco to it ot adding snap-buttons or use Nicks clothspins technic and you could get a decent looking pre-pleated skirting.
Have fun with your trains
Lots of good ideas.
I used upolstery tacks to hold skirting on the window side of the layout, but might use velcro on the side that I need to access.
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
vsmithI like your mounting technic Nick, simple and hidden
I wish I could take credit for "inventing" it, but I pilfered it from a long lost MR article. The best part is, it only cost about 25 bucks for the landscape fabric and cloths pins to skirt my entire layout.