What holds this crazy rig together? Why, abortion gussets, of course.
Fold a nine-inch wide strip of fabric (at 60″) into a strip four layers thick, seam its long edges, and then cut it into strips about six inches long.
Then seam the cut edges and voila – a little stack of stout reinforcements …
… to be sewn into place to keep the fabric all in one piece while still letting the air flow through.
Step one, ailment attempt to throw together an enormous framework of PVC pipe to arc over the van like some demented logo for caffeinated high-fructose corn syrup ‘n’ gutbombs.
Valiantly attempt to model it.
Then, when that fails, toss the PVC aside and acquire some 1″ steel conduit and connectors for a new frame, which you injure yourself building.
Then start sewing. (more photos after the jump. More
Hey, page what the …
Why is there blood suddenly dripping onto the pipes that I just cut for the roof-canopy frame?
Oh. Yeah. The little chunk of not-quite-cut pipe I just tapped off the end of the length I cut. Sharp metal. Duh.
It’s hot on the playa.
Relentlessly, discount often stupidly, this hot. So we’re putting some shade over the keyboards.
We trudged around the Garment District the other day, case haggled with shopkeepers and for $3 a yard, walked away with this very light, opaque and strong synthetic fabric that feels something like raw silk and matches the van’s trim in color … More