new tent
I began this project last year, but phase one lacked the sides and wasn’t quite stable. I got more fabric and spent Thursday last week doing the sides. The idea was to have a tent I could put up without help – not something I can do with the big medeival pavilions, they take three people and I can barely lift the canvas, and even with three they take ages to put up.
I had an event at Brackley yesterday, and got to test the new one.
I got it put up in reasonable time, which I think I’ll be able to do quicker with practice, and it came down in fifteen minutes, which was great. (Taking down was more of a problem with the big tent, as it’s one thing to find people to help put up the pavilion when they’ve camped overnight and I’ve just arrived, but when everyone wants to go home it’s more of an imposition to ask), and I can lift the canvas easily.
It’s meant as a day shelter for demonstrating, rather than as a sleeping tent. Although there’s not quite as much display space as the pavilion, I think there’s still enough for a decent display. I need to make some curtains to shut off the sides so I’ve got storage space, but other than that…
Gareth did the woodwork, and I did the canvas, which is natural linen impregnated with acrylic (very waterproof) made for garden tablecloths. Total cost including ropes was about £250.
It does look a lot more manageable than a big tent would be. I remember my mother made me a wendy house when I was little, and it took two grown-ups to put it up!
it went up really easily this time, I’m quite happy with it
Oooh, wow. Looking good!
And I’m dying to know – what’s your source for the linen canvas?
doreen preston and sons, they’re online but you have to ring them to order – and they do all the garden/agricultural shows
Excellent! Thank you!