Minivan curtain rod answer

[TWIH]

Ok, this idea was completely “stolen” from YT user Kelly Doyle, a single lady who lives in a Toyota Sienna minivan. Her channel is pretty low key, she’s not slick and polished but everything is “family friendly”. She was interviewed by BW on his channel recently.

Anyway, the issue of minivan rooflines is the curves, the contours and it’s very hard (apparently) to have a curtain that will not allow light to escape. Her solution? A flat aluminum “stock” piece that is available from HD or Lowes. The aluminum is soft enough to be free-formed to fit, and the curtain (takes some sewing skill) will slip over it. She holds it up in the center with a common binder clip tucked in under the DVD player plastic trim. The ends are so thin that they slip under the side wall trim.

The bar works and perhaps this is an answer for others. I too have watched many YT videos where people have tried many different combinations of ways to hold up a curtain on a curved surface. This is the only one that I have seen to work, simply.

I don't have a van but I could use this in my Prius, and I might just try it out.

[MN C Van]

Good idea- Drivers and Passenger's seat also are to the rear of the 'B' pillar, so unless you slide them forward every stop, the headrest is going to be into the curtain

[ratfink56]

TWIH your timing is excellent! This is one of the next projects in my 3500 Dodge. Should be the perfect answer for a full size van too. Thanks.

[TWIH]

Just have to make sure they sell it in longer lengths, I believe she used a 48” piece, a FS van may need up to 72” depending on interior trim width.

Its the actual “sewing” of the curtains, especially how to fold it over the bar, that would be an issue for me. Is there a seam sealer or adhesive that would work if you folded the curtain material over the bar then glued it together (allowing slack so that it can slide)?  I don’t work with fabric so dont have any ideas on that.

[Blacktank]

thats where i am stuck with my curtains,sewing,been asking around and the best i have gotten is "theres a machine in the attic",tried stick on velcro=fail,contact cement would work,maybe one of those cheap handheld sewing machines?

[Cammalu]

Gary, you can buy liquid thread in the sewing section al Wally World. Works. Might be called something else but it’s there

[Motrukdriver]

Sewing a straight line with a sewing machine is easy peasy. Hardest part is getting it threaded correctly and there are a gazillion YT videos on how to do that. I have three machines, 4 if you count my 1871 New Home treadle machine. My great aunt Geneva made all my great uncle Shorty's clothing on it. Hillbillies are resourceful folks...

[Snikwahjm]

Dang it you can run a power saw you can sew...

[GypsyDogs]

thats where i am stuck with my curtains,sewing,been asking around and the best i have gotten is "theres a machine in the attic",tried stick on velcro=fail,contact cement would work,maybe one of those cheap handheld sewing machines?

Gary: If memory serves, I'm in your woods-neck. I can sew, and have machine/s. (recently made an quilted coffee pot cozy.. for "fun")
Msg me and maybe we can figure out how to make something work for ya..