LightWeight Tent

[kingsax26]

does anyone know where to find material for a lightweight tent? I am only looking for a piece of tight cotton approx 8x8. I do not want canvas. I ahve Heard that egyption cotton works well. I really dont think bed sheets from amazon are what I am looking for lol

 

[Black Hand]

You may wish to consider linen instead of cotton - much tougher. Should be available at your local fabric store, though you may need to sew a couple of pieces together to get 8x8 feet. Wash/dry on hot several times to shrink the weave before cutting and sewing.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Big Duck canvas has 7oz cotton duck. Not sure how tight the weave is or how well it would make a tarp....but you can always get a sample...

I have often thought about trying to make one from Dacron. But that wouldn't be HC/PC

Crewdawg made a nice one out of a bed sheet....maybe he'll chime in...

 

[kingsax26]

good idea sir, had not thought of that

 

[Loyalist Dave]

For light linen you will want something like this 7.1 oz. Natural Linen which comes in pieces 3' x 4' 9" before washing. So for a 9' x 8' tarp with a little extra material to make loops on it if you wish... you will need 6 yards. Cut the piece in half and sew together. Should weigh slightly more than 2½ lbs. before you add something to make it water resistant. It's already an authentic, brownish color so no need to add pigment. If you do want a different color you might want to dye and then water proof instead of adding pigment to the water proofing.

For a little more durablility, the same basic fabric is offered an ounce heavier 8 oz. Nautral Linen.

I have bought similar stuff though a bit more coarse 10.2 oz. Natural Linen Canvas, for a hunting shirt, and a couple of packs, and this would be my choice for shelter fabric. A 9x9 tarp would be about 3¾ lbs. before water proofing, and will cost you about $70 for the fabric and shipping.

LD

 

[Crewdawg445]

Yes! I made one from a 100% cotton bedsheet. After multiple trips in rain, wind and storms I can certainly recommend it's worth and time to create.

I personally can't afford the amount of linen it would take to create a suitable size shelter. IMO there must be a line to HC for the working man's budget and my $20.00 sheet works wonderfully.

 

[kingsax26]

thanks loyalist! thats some great info right there

 

[kingsax26]

Well the tent is under way, I happen to run into a really good deal on some twin sheet sets. I bought 2 800 thread count sheet sets for 14.99 each. two flats sheets together will give me about an 8x8 tarp...not too shabby for 30$
more to follow as it progresses..currently i am dying the sheets. not really much to look at lol

 

[Crewdawg445]

Be very detailed with your stitching of the two sheets. Be sure to use the smallest needle possible to get the job done.

I'd also recommend Japan dryer over mineral spirits if possible.

 

[Pete G]

I used a painter's drop cloth from Lowe's to make up an awning for my A frame.

 

[kingsax26]

admittedly my hand stitchin sucks terribly, I will be using basting tape to keep things straight and using a half felled seam. The half felled seam is very strong, relatively fabric efficient and makes a very good waterproof seam . i will also be using basting tape on all of the reinforments to help eliminate as much seeping as possible. I will be using a heavy weight cotton thread as well. so between the seam which is already water resistant in its own right, the basting tape, the cotton thread and the water proofing when its all done ...i feel that it should work pretty well. I also was fortunate to get a high thread count sheet so that will help as well.
heres a pic of one of the panels , the sheet must have been sitting on the bottom of the bucket as i have a tie died effect...the other sheet doesnt look like that...im kind of suprised though as it sat for 12 hours in the dye...hmmmm I may re-dye it when i get it sewed up....maybe not. its not quite the brown i was looking for ..buuuuut....trial and error. I guess my next one will ahve to be done with walnut hulls..