Introduction: Ultralight 2-person 3-Season 35oz Tent
The tent's design was inspired by a need for lightweight, 3
season, simple setup tent. It uses poles and guidelines for setup, has two vestibules and two doors. It is similar to Hillaberg "Anaris" or Zpack’s "Duplex" , or Gossamer “The Two”, or Six Moon Design’s “Lunar” tents or any other A frame, single walled tent.
In terms of fabric I chosen green silpoly to aid in stealth camping if required. For the floor tub I used 30D silnylon. It is not the best and most bombproof but the one I had at the time . You choose what suits you, whether it is a light weight dynema or heavier nylons.
There are two 45 minute videos. Scroll down for the 2nd part
ALL in cost was 106$. There is a detail by item cost breakdown in part 2 of the video
Supplies
MATERIALS:
Top Fabric - SilPoly 20D (10yrd)
Floor Fabric - SilNylon 30D (3.5yrd)
Mesh - Mosquito fabric (5yrds)
Reinforcement fabric (1/5yrd)
Mesh Zippers (2, 8ft each)
3/4” Webbing (3ft)
1/8” Thin Webbing (30ft) optional
2mm Shock cord (5ft)
Toggles (8)
Linelocs (2)
Tension locks (4)
D Rings (8)
SilNet Seam sealer (1tube)
Polyester thread (2 Rolls)
Step 1: Cut Materials
Cut materials
THE PATTERN IMAGES ARE ALL IN CM SO YOU SHOULD CONVERT THEM TO INCHES IF THAT IS WHAT YOU NORMALLY USE
CONVERSION 1 " = 2.54CM
a. Cut roof panels
b. Cut side door panels
c. Cut Floor tub material
d. Cut side and foot/head mesh panels
e. Cut reinforcing patches
Step 2: Make Cat Cuts to All 4 Side Door Panels
Make cat cuts to all 4 side door panels and head and foot roof panels.
Attach material to the wall using tape. Also attach string to both ends. Lower until center is 8cm or 2.5" . Mark and cut it out
Step 3: Adjust Cuts for Reinforcement Materials
Adjust cuts for reinforcement materials on 4 corners and 4 doors
Step 4: Stitch Reinforcement Patches Onto Doors
Stitch reinforcement patches onto doors. Use spider web design
a. To All 4 bottom door corners
b. To tops of 2 doors (larger patch for pole placement)
Step 5: Hem Central Parts of Doors
Hem central part of doors. Use ½ seam allowance. 2 folds
Step 6: Join Left and Right Side Doors Together
Join left and right side doors together. This steps will need to be repeated twice , once for each side of the tent. Use pins or clips to join materials together, then stitch at the top. Best to start at the top or crest and move down. Do 2 lines of stitching and reinforce well
Step 7: SEAM EXPLAINER
Modified flat felt French seam. Use this seam for attaching central and head/foot roof panels , as well as later on side and roof panels together. The created lip will be used to attach mesh panels or loops
Step 8: Stitch Top of the Roof Panels Together
Stitch top of the roof panels together using a modified seam. 3 stitch seam.
- ¼” inch from edge, wrong to wrong side.
- Turn inside out and ¼ “ from the edge.
- Stitch from top, leaving ½ flap lip on the inside of the tent
Step 9: Attach Loops to Main Inner Roof
Attach loops to main roof lip to be used for inner roof cord. Useful for hanging light, socks, glasses etc. First burn off or singe ends of webbing, then stitch to inside of the roof
Step 10: Stitch Head and Foot Roof Panels
Stitch head and foot roof panels.
a. use same modified seam as in step earlier
b. Add a loop midway for a high wind conditions guideline
Step 11: Attach Side Panels to the Main Roof Panel
1. Attach side panels to the main roof panel. Use modified seam involving 3 stitches. This step twice, once for each side of the tent
a. Start at the top and do a line along each side going down first. Wrong to wrong sides
b. Reinforce well at the ends
c. Turn inside out (you will be stitching on the inside of tent) and add a 2nd line of stitch ¼” from edge
d. Do a 3rd line of stitch from the top, leaving usual ½” lip on the inside (this will be used to attach mesh)
Step 12: Stitch Reinforcement Material Patches for All 4 Corners
Stitch reinforcement material patches for all 4 corners. Use spider web stitch pattern
Step 13: Hem All Bottom Sides of the Door Panels and Roof
Hem all bottom sides of the door panels and head and foot roof boxes. ½ seam allowance, rolled twice. 2 stitching lines. Use hot iron and pins or clips to aide in holding fabric down
Step 14: Attach Rings to Doors and Corners
Attach webbing and rings to reinforced door corners , these will be used to be held by stakes
Also attach similar webbing to all 4 corners of the tent. Feed D rings before stitching.
You may use metal or plastic just make sure d rings are strong enough as a lot of force is going to pass through here.
Proceed slow with caution as thick material may break needle
Step 15: Attach a Webbing Piece With Lineloc Guideline Tensioner
Attach a webbing piece with lineloc guideline tensioner 2” from the edge of the roof. This will be used to hold pole in place during operation
Step 16: Reinforcement Patch on Side Mesh Panel
Cut and stitch in reinforcement patch on side mesh panel. Stitch on the “outside” side of the mesh. It should face the same patch on side door, forming a pocket out of the reinforced material. This is where pole handle would fit
Step 17: Stitch Thin Webbing on Mesh Perimeter
If using a thin webbing, stitch on perimeter of side mesh panels and head nad foot panels. This will add strength and make it easier to attach to roof panels
Step 18: Attach a Zipper to Side Panels
Attach a zipper to side panels
a. Measure correct length (usually 8ft)
b. Lay flat on the OUTSIDE side of mesh
c. Pin down
d. Stitch from top. Do at least 2 lines and use narrower seam width
e. Cut open the mesh from the other side of zipper. Cutting some extra mesh bits off
Step 19: Install Zipper Sliders
Install zipper sliders. Use 2 and facing opposite sides
Stitch close the ends to prevent sliding off
Step 20: Hem Floor Tub Material
Hem floor tub material. Use ½” seam allowance with 2 rolls. 1 stitch line is enough
Step 21: Fold and Cut Corners in Floor Tub
Fold and cut corners in floor tub.
Draw lines to help as a guide. Touch or join material 20cm to form triangle
Measure 5cm from formed crest and cut off excess off
Fold 2-3 times. Stitch 2-4 times , use same wider seam
Step 22: Sew in Webbing Loops to the Tub
Sew in webbing loops 1/3 from the bottom. These will be used to attach shock cord and or stakes to keep tub stretched
Step 23: Attach Mesh Panels to the Floor Tub
Attach bottom of mesh panels to floor tub. Use 2 stitch lines
Attach head and foot mesh panels to floor tub
Step 24:
Attach top of mesh panels to main roof panels. Do two stitch lines
a. Start at the top on side panels. Move down from each crest. Do two lines
b. Continue to head and foot panels. Also two lines
c. Connect side and h&f panel corners. If you have one side a little too long just roll it up and stitch together
d. Connect all parts into tub corner, both side and head and foot mesh panels . Stitch together well , adding reinforcement
Step 25: Make and Attach Inner Pockets (optional)
Make simple mesh pockets by folding one mesh piece in half and attaching to side wall of the floor tub
Step 26: Cut Guidelines, and Cord and Attach Locks
Cut guidelines and shock cord and attach locks
Lines should be at least
1m for the corners
1.5m for the wind lines on the roof
and 1.5m for the sides
30cm for the shock cords
Step 27: Make a Tent Bag (optional)
The simple bag can be made by cutting a one piece of fabric (leftovers)and rolling it in a tube like form.
At the top fold 1 inch and stitch over towards inside. Feed cord and add lock
Step 28: Seam Seal the Tent
Seam seal the tent using a silicon sealant like silnet. Either use it on its own or dilute with white spirits thinner. I recommend to dilute at 1:1 ratio to make sealant soak well into threads. It would need at least double the drying time but it will soak into threads and holes well.
Dry time for silnet is about 24hours, double for diluted. Wait until sealed seams are dry
Step 29: Go Out and Enjoy Your New Tent
Go out and enjoy your new tent!
Below are some of my photos