Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Learn how to sew a custom side enclosure curtain with a clear Strataglass window for your boat in this step-by-step tutorial from Sailrite.
This enclosure panel is built using a unique sandwich construction: the Strataglass is layered between the canvas (outer surface) and vinyl fabric (inner surface). The window material stays fully protected until most of the panel is sewn. Near the end, you carefully cut away the canvas and vinyl to reveal the clear window, leaving a clean, professional border of canvas on the outside and vinyl on the inside.
Yes, the method uses a bit more fabric, but the process is fast, straightforward, and forgiving. The leftover scraps are perfect for other projects.
The finished curtain zips securely to the bimini top skirt edge and an awning rope/track along the radar arch, then snaps to the windshield at the bottom for a clean, tailored fit. It features a large, crystal-clear Strataglass window for excellent visibility. We also show how to sew a rain flap on the adjacent panel to help keep spray and water out from the zipper opening.
Adding Zipper to Awning Rope - 0:27
Patterning on Boat - 1:55
Additions to Pattern Edges - 8:47
Cutting Canvas to Size - 16:47
Cutting Vinyl Fabric to Size - 17:55
Scoring Canvas Edge for Half-Inch Hem - 18:41
Marking for Window - 20:06
Marking Facing/Border Sizes - 21:07
Cutting the Window to Size - 23:53
Basting the Window to Canvas & Vinyl Fabric - 25:07
Hemming & Sewing Canvas Edges - 27:32
Sewing Zippers - 30:13
Cutting Away Canvas & Sewing Edge - 34:27
Cutting Away Vinyl Fabric - 36:49
Installing & Marking Fasteners - 37:31
Sewing a Rain Flap on Adjacent Curtain - 42:58
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAbM539i4biUDbQ9BaG38tOgrVeEv7BRH&si=tECE7HaYS9cCkc4V
MATERIALS LIST:
Keder Awning Rope - sailrite.com/Keder-Awning-Rope-Black-5-16
Lenzip® #5 Black Separating Molded Tooth Zipper - sailrite.com/Lenzip-5-Black-Separating-Molded-Tooth-Zipper-Metal-Double-Pull-Slider
SewReady™ Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape - sailrite.com/Seamstick-1-4-Basting-Tape-for-Canvas-50-Yds
Filament Strapping Tape - sailrite.com/3M-Filament-Strapping-Tape-3-4
SewReady™ Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas - sailrite.com/Seamstick-3-8-Basting-Tape-for-Canvas-36-Yards
Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material - sailrite.com/Dura-Skrim-2-Patterning-Material-74
Sattler® Marine Grade Fabric - sailrite.com/shop/fabric/marine-fabric?facet_popular_collection=Sattler+Marine
Shelter-Rite® 61" Fabric - sailrite.com/shop/fabric?facet_popular_collection=Shelter-Rite
Strataglass™ 30 Gauge - sailrite.com/Strataglass-30-Gauge-Vinyl-54-x-110
Bound™ Tex 90 Thread - sailrite.com/search.php?query=Bound%E2%84%A2+Tex+90
Vadney Clips for Boat Windshields - sailrite.com/Vadney-Clips-for-Boat-Windshields
Snap Fastener Stud - sailrite.com/Snap-Fastener-Screw-Stud-3-8-8-15-Self-Tap-Nickel-Key-E
Snap Fastener Button Government Black - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Button-Black-11-64-Barrel-Brass
Snap Fastener Socket Government Black - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Normal-Action-Socket-Black-Brass
Butyl Tape - sailrite.com/Trimmable-Butyl-Tape-3-4
TOOLS LIST:
Clear Acrylic Ruler - sailrite.com/Clear-Acrylic-Ruler-6-x-24
Scissors - sailrite.com/Stainless-Steel-9-Bent-Handle-Scissors
Canvas Patterning Ruler - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Canvas-Patterning-Ruler
Scratch Awl - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Scratch-Awl
Weight 2 lbs. - sailrite.com/Leather-Weight-2lbs-Brass
Utility Knife - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Folding-Utility-Knife-with-Belt-Latch
Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Deluxe-Fabricator-Sewing-Machine-Package
Seam Ripper - sailrite.com/Seam-Ripper-Deluxe
Triangle Chalk - sailrite.com/Triangle-Tailors-Chalk-White
Easy Fit - sailrite.com/Quick-Fit-Pin-Socket-Snap-Positioning-System
HandySnap® - sailrite.com/HandySnap-Installation-Tool
GENERAL MATERIALS QUANTITY LIST FOR TYPICAL WINDOW ENCLOSURE CURTAINS
(Approximately 30-foot Boat with: 3 - Front, 4 - Port & Starboard, 1 - Aft Curtain):
Awning Rope (if awning track is used) – 15 to 25 feet
Strapping Tape 3/4" – 1 roll
Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas – 2 rolls
Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material – 10 to 15 yards
Sattler® or Sunbrella® Marine Grade Fabric 60” – 8 to 10 yards
Shelter-Rite® 61" or Stamoid™ Top Fabric – 8 to 10 yards
Binding Tape 1” – 50 to 100 feet
Strataglass™ 30 Gauge – 3 to 4 sheets
Bound™ Tex 90 UV Bonded Polyester Thread 1 oz. – 2 cones
Lenzip #10 Separating Molded Tooth Zippers – 15 to 25 each
SewReady™ Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery – 2 rolls
Snapcap Top Stops #10 – 30 to 50 each
Fasteners (Snaps, Twist-Lock, Lift-The-Dot®, Loxx®) – 10 to 50 each
Polyester Hook & Loop – 10 feet
Learn how to sew a custom side enclosure curtain with a clear Strataglass window for your boat in this step-by-step tutorial from Sailrite.
This enclosure panel is built using a unique sandwich construction: the Strataglass is layered between the canvas (outer surface) and vinyl fabric (inner surface). The window material stays fully protected until most of the panel is sewn. Near the end, you carefully cut away the canvas and vinyl to reveal the clear window, leaving a clean, professional border of canvas on the outside and vinyl on the inside.
Yes, the method uses a bit more fabric, but the process is fast, straightforward, and forgiving. The leftover scraps are perfect for other projects.
The finished curtain zips securely to the bimini top skirt edge and an awning rope/track along the radar arch, then snaps to the windshield at the bottom for a clean, tailored fit. It features a large, crystal-clear Strataglass window for excellent visibility. We also show how to sew a rain flap on the adjacent panel to help keep spray and water out from the zipper opening.
Adding Zipper to Awning Rope - 0:27
Patterning on Boat - 1:55
Additions to Pattern Edges - 8:47
Cutting Canvas to Size - 16:47
Cutting Vinyl Fabric to Size - 17:55
Scoring Canvas Edge for Half-Inch Hem - 18:41
Marking for Window - 20:06
Marking Facing/Border Sizes - 21:07
Cutting the Window to Size - 23:53
Basting the Window to Canvas & Vinyl Fabric - 25:07
Hemming & Sewing Canvas Edges - 27:32
Sewing Zippers - 30:13
Cutting Away Canvas & Sewing Edge - 34:27
Cutting Away Vinyl Fabric - 36:49
Installing & Marking Fasteners - 37:31
Sewing a Rain Flap on Adjacent Curtain - 42:58
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAbM539i4biUDbQ9BaG38tOgrVeEv7BRH&si=tECE7HaYS9cCkc4V
MATERIALS LIST:
Keder Awning Rope - sailrite.com/Keder-Awning-Rope-Black-5-16
Lenzip® #5 Black Separating Molded Tooth Zipper - sailrite.com/Lenzip-5-Black-Separating-Molded-Tooth-Zipper-Metal-Double-Pull-Slider
SewReady™ Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape - sailrite.com/Seamstick-1-4-Basting-Tape-for-Canvas-50-Yds
Filament Strapping Tape - sailrite.com/3M-Filament-Strapping-Tape-3-4
SewReady™ Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas - sailrite.com/Seamstick-3-8-Basting-Tape-for-Canvas-36-Yards
Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material - sailrite.com/Dura-Skrim-2-Patterning-Material-74
Sattler® Marine Grade Fabric - sailrite.com/shop/fabric/marine-fabric?facet_popular_collection=Sattler+Marine
Shelter-Rite® 61" Fabric - sailrite.com/shop/fabric?facet_popular_collection=Shelter-Rite
Strataglass™ 30 Gauge - sailrite.com/Strataglass-30-Gauge-Vinyl-54-x-110
Bound™ Tex 90 Thread - sailrite.com/search.php?query=Bound%E2%84%A2+Tex+90
Vadney Clips for Boat Windshields - sailrite.com/Vadney-Clips-for-Boat-Windshields
Snap Fastener Stud - sailrite.com/Snap-Fastener-Screw-Stud-3-8-8-15-Self-Tap-Nickel-Key-E
Snap Fastener Button Government Black - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Button-Black-11-64-Barrel-Brass
Snap Fastener Socket Government Black - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Normal-Action-Socket-Black-Brass
Butyl Tape - sailrite.com/Trimmable-Butyl-Tape-3-4
TOOLS LIST:
Clear Acrylic Ruler - sailrite.com/Clear-Acrylic-Ruler-6-x-24
Scissors - sailrite.com/Stainless-Steel-9-Bent-Handle-Scissors
Canvas Patterning Ruler - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Canvas-Patterning-Ruler
Scratch Awl - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Scratch-Awl
Weight 2 lbs. - sailrite.com/Leather-Weight-2lbs-Brass
Utility Knife - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Folding-Utility-Knife-with-Belt-Latch
Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Deluxe-Fabricator-Sewing-Machine-Package
Seam Ripper - sailrite.com/Seam-Ripper-Deluxe
Triangle Chalk - sailrite.com/Triangle-Tailors-Chalk-White
Easy Fit - sailrite.com/Quick-Fit-Pin-Socket-Snap-Positioning-System
HandySnap® - sailrite.com/HandySnap-Installation-Tool
GENERAL MATERIALS QUANTITY LIST FOR TYPICAL WINDOW ENCLOSURE CURTAINS
(Approximately 30-foot Boat with: 3 - Front, 4 - Port & Starboard, 1 - Aft Curtain):
Awning Rope (if awning track is used) – 15 to 25 feet
Strapping Tape 3/4" – 1 roll
Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas – 2 rolls
Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material – 10 to 15 yards
Sattler® or Sunbrella® Marine Grade Fabric 60” – 8 to 10 yards
Shelter-Rite® 61" or Stamoid™ Top Fabric – 8 to 10 yards
Binding Tape 1” – 50 to 100 feet
Strataglass™ 30 Gauge – 3 to 4 sheets
Bound™ Tex 90 UV Bonded Polyester Thread 1 oz. – 2 cones
Lenzip #10 Separating Molded Tooth Zippers – 15 to 25 each
SewReady™ Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery – 2 rolls
Snapcap Top Stops #10 – 30 to 50 each
Fasteners (Snaps, Twist-Lock, Lift-The-Dot®, Loxx®) – 10 to 50 each
Polyester Hook & Loop – 10 feet
