sewing a tent cover

[jackrocks]

I am looking to sew a tent cover for our pop up tent for vending in June.

It's our first time, and I know, I know, covering a modern pop up tent is not period, and the actual medieval tents are preferred, but that is not an option right now.

I have a vague idea in mind that I could use darkish colored flat sheets sewn together, but looking for patterns has been an aggravating endeavor. Per the Faire owner (the sweetest woman ever ), "just throw some sheets over it." lol

Though our budget is tight, we are working hard on our creations and want it to look as nice as possible.

Would love any input, and thanks! I'm so excited!

[isabelladangelo]

No, you cannot just throw some sheets up - rain is a problem.  Dew is a problem.   Mildew (ew!) is a problem.

You need to measure the roof of the pop up to make a proper cover.   It needs to fit *perfectly* or else rain will get in the seams. 

DSCF1395 by jubileel_insaneone, on Flickr

This is my Mom (hi Mommy!) in front of my tent at Pennsic.  My tent was nothing more than a cover over a pop up.  It's lasted 5 Pennsics and still works although I don't need it anymore.  The blue and white striped is Sunbrella fabric and the green lining is indoor/outdoor fabric.  I would suggest canvas (just put it over the pop up, spray it down, and let it dry until the next day before you use it) or an outdoor fabric.  There are plenty that are cheap.   

The pattern is nothing more than four trapezoids cut like this:


                     ________________________
                    /                                                \
                   /                                                  \
                  /                                                    \
                 /                                                      \
                -----------------------------------------------

With holes on either side for windows (I used basic cotton netting for that and used extra fabric for the flaps to come down - that might be overly complicated and I'd probably change this now.  Now, I'd just do overlapping edges at the middle of each wall to pull the fabric back if I needed a breeze)

The front overlaps and has robes for ties (as you can see in the photo).  The seams are all french seams (sew so that the seam is on the wrong side first and then sew again so that the edges are encased in the seam). 

Below the tent, I have a tarp in the picture - it's not needed with all the pallets I had down and a couple of pieces of plywood for floors.  On top of that, I added carpets so the floor was always very comfy.   

For outdoor fabrics: Check out fabricguru.com
For canvas: Canvas for sails which works for tents as well.

You can also spray paint your canvas which helps to seal it even more against water.  Painting tent canvas is very period!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Weather Treating or Scotchguarding Canvas isa  must for outdoor Tenting. Many of the Pavillions sold on the Internet are made of weather proofed materials.

Isabella is correct about Mold and Mildew.

[lady serena]

Here is a site that I used when the hubby and I did some vending.

http://moirandalls.com/popup/index.htm

[jackrocks]

Thanks for all the input, guys!

This year, we are only doing 2 days, so I really can't a whole lot of money into it....if we do well, then we will scrimp and save over the winter and next year do several weekends, plan way in advance and do something really nice for a cover

This year, we are just looking for functional and budget friendly. And quick....we are vending the first weekend in June.

[Dinobabe]

For inexpensive canvas look at Home Depot/Lowe's at the painter's drop cloths.  They even have plastic backed ones.  That's what I use as a drop cloth for my Civil War tent and no one is the wiser!