DIY Bimini Top…lesson learned.

I learned a lesson making this bimini top for my paddle boat today. After mowing the grass this morning, I decided since I was already sweaty and dirty I might as well go ahead and tackle this bimini top project. I’ve had this marine fabric in my stash for a couple years, and the boat hasn’t had a bimini top since it was given to us. A good cleaning was the first order of business…the paddle boat sat full of rain water for a good month so it was growing green fuzz.I brought the fabric outside to drape the bimini frame to get an idea of the shape I needed to cut it. Rather than pin the fabric onto the metal frame I used these clamps to hold it in place and then drew a chalk cutting guide.

I brought the fabric into my workroom and cut about 3″ from my chalk line to leave enough space for my fabric to fold over the metal bimini frame and allow room for me to install velcro.

After I cut one side, I folded my fabric in half lengthwise and cross wise and cut the opposite side of the fabric using my first cut as my guide.  This way the front and back match exactly, since the metal bimini frame is the same front and back.

I installed the velcro using Sunstop Polyester thread.  It is VERY important that you use 100% polyester thread because cotton thread won’t last outside. Especially here in Florida. You can buy Sunstop polyester thread here. I didn’t bother to enclose my raw edges of fabric on this bimini top project because the fabric is so tightly woven (I think this marine grade fabric is actually more plastic than fabric) it will never fray at the edges.  I just used pinking sheers to cut it just in case.

I learned that I actually cut the fabric wrong.  You see how the center of the bimini top is sagging in the middle?  I should have cut the fabric concave on the front and back instead of convex(the way I cut it). Had I cut the fabric properly, it would be a nice tight bimini top.  Oh well.  You live and you learn.  I have enough fabric left to make another top. For now, I’ll live with this droopy bimini top until it rots from the brutal Florida sun. It still does the job of shading the passengers, and that’s really all I wanted.

Anyhoo, this was another project that I procrastinated for no good reason. I was just a little unsure of where to begin…but after all was sewn and done, it only took a couple hours.  Now I can peddle til my hearts content in shaded comfort.No video with this post because I just wanted to get this done, as July 4th is quickly approaching and we host a fairly large group for the holiday, and I have quite a few more projects to tackle before then.  Stay tuned…I think my kayak seats are next.