DIY California Dodger - Making the Top (1 of 3)

Make your own California dodger by following this in-depth, three-part video series. Compared to a standard dodger, a California dodger provides maximum visibility because its front and sides are removable window panels. These curtains are easy to install and remove thanks to zippers, snaps and Twist-Lock Fasteners. You’ll need a two-bow dodger frame to make our California Dodger Skin Kit. Don’t have a dodger frame? Sailrite carries a high-quality, stainless-steel 2-Bow Dodger Frame Kit (SKU: 121918) that’s perfect for this project series. Every item you need to make your dodger is included in the California Dodger Skin Kit (SKU: 124251 for a standard color and SKU: 124252 for a premium color), minus the tools and the two-bow frame. Links for Ordering Kits: California Dodger Skin Kit: Dodger Frame Kit: California Dodger Skin Kit Series Links: Part 1 - Making the Top (this video) Part 2 - Making the Front Curtain Part 3 - Making the Side Curtains Intro - 0:00 Patterning on the Frame - 1:20 Patterning the Top - 16:58 Cutting Hang-Down Tails - 19:45 Creating Zippered Pockets - 23:00 Sewing Hang Down Tail & Pocket to Top - 45:40 Sewing Inside Pocket Zipper to Top - 56:22 Sewing Binding Around Top - 1:00:17 Sewing Side Zippers for Curtains - 1:07:52 Sewing Front Zipper for Curtain - 1:14:59 Installing Top - 1:19:11 Materials & Tools List - 1:27:51 Materials List: (All material list items are included in the California Dodger Skin Kit) Filament Strapping Tape 3/4“ - SKU: 5643 Seamstick 3/8“ Basting Tape for Canvas (50 yds.) - SKU: 129 Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material 74“ - SKU: 103134 Sunbrella® Marine Grade Fabric 46” from Sailrite - (pick a color at Sailrite) V-92 Polyester Thread White from Sailrite - (pick a color at Sailrite) Lenzip® #10 White Single Pull Finished Zipper (Molded Tooth) - SKU: 123744 (white or black) Seamstick 1/4“ Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (36 yds.) - SKU: 122065 Sunbrella® Acrylic Bias Binding Tape 1“ - (pick a color at Sailrite) YKK® SNAPCAP® #10 White Zipper Top Stop (VISLON®) - SKU: 123706 (white or black) Lenzip® #10 White Double Pull Finished Zipper (Molded Tooth) - SKU: 123746 (white or black) DOT® Snap Fastener Cloth-to-Cloth Stud (Stainless Steel) - SKU: 444100 Blind Rivet for SnapRite® Surface Die (Stainless Steel) - SKU: 103755 DOT® Snap Fastener Cloth-to-Surface Set 3/8“ Screw (Stainless Steel) - SKU: 444002 Shelter-Rite® White 61“ Fabric - SKU: 112011 Leather 4-5 oz. Chrome Pearl Grey - SKU: 559111 DOT® Twist-Lock Fastener 2 Screw Stud Cloth-to-Surface Set (NPB) - SKU: 777400 DOT® Twist-Lock Fastener Extended Legs Eyelet (NPB) - SKU: 777006 Strataglass™ 30 Gauge Vinyl Window Material 54“ x 110“ Clear - SKU: 791123 DOT® Twist-Lock Fastener Double-High 2-Hole Screw Stud (NPB) - SKU: 777035 Trimmable Butyl Tape 1“ (30 Feet) - SKU: 103689 Sample of Boat Blanket Gray 72“ Fabric - SKU: 100111 Polyester White Hook 1“ - SKU: 473100 Tools List (Not Included): 2-Bow 1“ Dodger Frame Kit with Rigid Supports & Hand Rails 84“ x 40“ x 40“ (Stainless Steel) - SKU: 121918 Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8“ - SKU: 101017 Clear Acrylic Ruler 6“ x 24“ - SKU: 102400 Soapstone Fabric Marking Pencil White - SKU: 102766 Sailrite® Tempered Cutting Glass - SKU: 121915 Sailrite® Edge Cordless Hotknife 18V Package - SKU: 122177 Tape Measure 120“ - SKU: 102986 Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler - SKU: 107040 Scribe-All® Water Soluble White Marking Pencil - SKU: 120681 Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ-1 PREMIUM Sewing Machine With WorkerB® Power Pack (110V) - SKU: 311603 Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table - SKU: 120934 Basic Thread Snips - SKU: 123222 Deluxe 5-1/2“ Magnetic Sewing Guide - SKU: 103597 Prong Bending Tool for Twist-Lock & Lift-The-DOT® Fasteners -SKU: 120445 Sailrite® 1“ Swing-Away Binder - SKU: 100103 Spring Clamp - SKU: 50211 Sailrite® Professional Rotary Hole Punch - SKU: 123274 Professional Rivet Tool - SKU: 103520 SnapRite® Surface Mount Stud Die - SKU: 103754 Pres-N-Snap Installation Tool - SKU: 109011 Scribe-All® Black Marking Pencil for Vinyl - SKU: 121977 Chalk Pencil Cartridge Set - SKU: 121669 McLube™ Sailkote 8 oz. - SKU: 120679 3M™ Specialty Adhesive Remover 32 oz. (Quart) - SKU: 108984 Rubber Cutting Block 10“ x 10“ - SKU: 378100 Sailrite® Twist-Lock Eyelet Hole Cutter - SKU: 108001 Barry King Mallet Hammer Style 3# - SKU: 68563 Sailrite® #5 Drill Hole Cutter 5/8“ - SKU: 121824 Seam Ripper Deluxe - SKU: 18104 Triangle Tailor’s Chalk - Red - SKU: 121914 Tape Measure, Permanent Marker, Yardstick, Straightedge, Fine Point Marker, Center Punch, Hammer, 1/8” Drill Bit, Drill, Packing Tape, Countersink Drill Bit