I haven't but I will be very interested in the replies! We are thinking of a pergola cover for outside. We saw one in a big-box store, but the cover only came with a pergola. It laid over the top and hung down the sides a bit. I'm thinking it might work better with some type weights in the hem or attach somehow. The shade I saw, the fabric looked more like those window sun shades that you see in some restaurants - if you know what I'm talking about. I think Sunbrella would work also.

I've purchased Sunbrella fabric locally and on eBay. It is like heavy canvas. Make sure you have the right needles.

Crispy is a perfect description!

Looked into it but didn't....agree with what is above. Jo-Ann's also sells some Sunbrella by order or online and you might find it on an outdoor fabric sale. You could use an outdoor canvas, but I think I would probably use Sunbrella if I was going to put the time and effort into something I wanted to last.

fabricguru.com often has deals on Sunbrella. There are different weights of Sunbrella, the heavier canvas may be hard to roll/fold if you want to move it out of the way. Recommend ordering samples first to be sure you are happy with the choice.

Thanks everyone. I think I can handle sewing crispy canvas. I'll look into the places suggested. I've found some good deals on ebay, but I'll need about 20 yards and ebay sellers are usually getting rid of smaller quantities (or really ugly large quantities).

One other thing...you will need a thread that can hold up to outdoor conditions..normal sewing thread will break down very quickly outside.

Good point, Donna and 1929 Spanish. I will look for proper needles and thread. I will likely take my machine up to the cottage and sew it there. I would have been peeved it I'd arrived and found I had the wrong equipment.

Tinam, I've seen lots of pics online of adding grommets and just doing a flat cover (maybe this is what you're thinking of? We want to be able to cover and pull back through out the day as the sun crosses, so need something retractable (and therefore more difficult to make, of course :).

Thanks for suggesting the samples maggie. I had noticed some were more expensive and that probably explains it. I think I'd like to do a lighter weight since it won't actually be exposed to the elements and I'd like it to be as easy to sew as possible.

Lascatx, did you end up getting them made for you or didn't do them at all? I'm tempted to just use canvas, but you're right, it wouldn't last and all that sewing for one season would be a waste.

Donna, thanks so much for the tip on the coupon. I think I will have to shop around for the best deal as I'm in Canada and shipping is usually ridiculous.

If this works, I'll post pics (if it doesn't, I will keep my shame to myself). Really hoping it does work since I was the one who insisted on not doing a solid roof and if it makes the room uninhabitable on hot days, well ... it better work.

Joann.com carries sunbrella. They usually have samples in the store.

If it won't be exposed to the elements, what about using painter's drop cloths? Seems like the weight be right, they're cheap and light in color.

I have not used this company, but it might be a source for you: sailrite.com. They sell marine grade canvas.

Olychick, it won't get rain and snow and the plastic roof is suppose to block 99% of UV. I wonder if maybe I could get away with using an indoor fabric? What do you guys think?

Thanks practigal. Unfortunately the nearest Joannes is about 3 hours away from us, but I think our local fabric store does sell it - they just dont have the sales and coupons.

If you want to check out the weight and look of the Sunbrella (or other) fabric, you can drop by an upholstery shop as they have loads of sample books you can look through or even borrow to take home.

Sailrite.com is an excellent suggestion. Very helpful on the phone. May want to chat with them on a recommendation. They sell Sunbrella. Also sell thread that stands up to outdoors, and can recommend best one to use for your project/with your fabric.

I think you are very brave! Though I've sewn drapes and curtains and bedspreads, and wedding gowns, a prom dress with FORTY YARDS of chiffon, outdoor cushions and at least one fttled slipcover, your project would scare me half to death.

I'd use flat felled seams. I can't wait to see it.

I made a few drapery panels with Sunbrella for a sun room. I used upholstery needles and waxed the thread and the needle. Where the fabric was doubled I had to use pliers to pull the needle through.

I believe you can purchase Sunbrella fabrics through Costco's website under the outdoor furniture replacement cushion section. I haven't compared prices, but it might be worth looking into.

As for using other fabrics, if they get a lot of sun, you will have to line them, or they will fade ...

Have you thought of roman shades? You basically buy the "tape"...thread a rope through it, and you can raise and lower them. Just be cautious if you have small children, those ropes are dangerous. Here's a link...

https://www.onlinefabricstore.net/white-roman-shade-tape-1-inch-wide-5-inch-spacing-.htm?gclid=CMrc98eS9swCFZNbhgod5IEH7Q

never ordered from that store, so no idea if price is good or not..just to show you what it is.

Do you think they will they fade even if the UV is blocked? I will have to do some research on this (but I'll likely use an off-white anyways - more worried about it disintegrating than fading). It would be way easier and cheaper if I could just use a heavy cotton or poly fabric. I'm kind of leaning away from the Sunbrella - not sure I'm ready for waxing and so forth. My machine is sturdy, but it's not industrial or anything.

My plan is to basically do a roman shade only running horizontal instead of vertical. The way the rafters are built, I couldn't do a roman to fit in between. And the roof is 10 feet so I don't think it will feel too low going across. Instead of plastic loops and ropes, I'm going to use metal key rings and aircraft cable but the idea will generally be the same as the link you posted.

Sheesh - 40 yards of chiffon? Wedding dress?! Now you have me scared! I think this should be fairly doable. Just lots of long straight seams (I will try flat felled). The key is that the room is long and fairly empty so I can lay out everything on the floor. At home I never have enough room to layout fabric properly.

Here is a link to instructions I'll be using. I'm going to refine a few things, but the general principal will be the same Retractable Pergola Cover DIY

I will definitely head over to sailrite. I was wondering where on earth I'd buy outdoor thread.

Thanks again everyone for your great suggestions. I tried talking it over with my DH and he just rolls his eyes - you guys are much more helpful.

I don't want to seem like a broken record, but really, look at painter's drop cloths. If you google them, there are some tutorials showing them being made into outdoor curtains, too.
drop cloth curtains

Sorry, olychick I should have responded. I have used painters' drop cloths for some projects (mostly slipcovers), but I find the quality of the drop cloths to be really variable these days and prefer to buy cotton duck off the roll. That way I can choose the weight and quality of the weave. I know people seem to have great success with drop cloth curtains, but the last time I tried to sew with one, it pretty much fell apart as I was working with it. Maybe I'm just buying them from the wrong place?

I don't have experience with them (because I'd rather poke a fork in my eye than sew), just relating the enthusiasm people seem to have for using them for oversize projects.