An article on tentmaking, by Mistress Baroness Merlinia


This was my original tent; 30 years later, I still have the poles. I have had 3 covers. 

Go to a good Lumber yard in Spring, and check out their really long tomato stakes- the 1"x1"x7'', go thru them carefully ,and find the hardwood ones. They are usually a darker brown than softwoods, and much heavier. As I am making another one, I know that Jager Lumber in Union, N.J., had what I needed (6) for a 40 min. hunt and $2.49 each. 

The cover - my first one was made of 9 yds of 60" polyester knit that I found at a dollar sale at a fabric store. (yes, the stuff of 'polyester leisure suits'- it was the 70's) It actually worked in all but really hard rain. The second was made of sheets I got at a church sale. I don't recall what they cost, but the 3 I picked up this year were .50 each-so, $1.50 there. 

My newest cover is going to be pure linen; the sheets are ok for SCA, but my Reenacting Legion is much more strict. I'm checking the Church sales for plain, unbleached linen table clothes. I got a beauty last year, 90"x 10' for $3.00, but I'm wearing it. I may have to go shopping at Pennsic or the Internet for what I need. 

If/ Before it rains, get some wide plastic sheeting - the stuff that comes on rolls. A roll costs $14. You will also need some thin rope or cord or leather thongs (4 should do it). Also, either large grommets or marbles (my pref). Stakes can be of thick twigs, large 8"nails, or bamboo garden stakes. 

To put together- go into your yard. Poke 4 poles into the ground where the corners of a twin bed would be. Pull the 2 at the 'head' together & tie, leaving a small X at the top. Do the same at the 'bottom'. Take the other 2, lay them along one side, points in, and size to go over the head & foot poles, plus 6"-8" over on each end. Tie these together at at least 3 places. This is the roof beam. Put it on the Xes. Tie the beam to the Xes. Rock it a bit; it should be pretty stable. If not, More rope. 

If you have 3 twin sheets, sew 2 at the long sides together, measuring on the framework to center the fabric. Cut large triangles out of the 3rd sheet for 'doors'. They can be tied on before, or after the top goes on. 

Remember the plastic? Before the top, run some from the ground on one side, over the top, and down to the ground on the other. Give a little extra. Lay 3 pieces of rope on the plastic, both ends and middle. Put the top on. Go in, & tightly roll up the plastic to either side of the pole. Tie the rolls up with the ropes hanging there. If it rains, untie and drop the plastic, pull it out to cover the walls and the ends (do this once at home, so you know how to do it!) then stake it down inside with the nails. Also be sure you can 'storm lash' the tent by staking a rope in an X pattern over the top, and a rope staked from the ground 3-4' away from the head end, looped around the poles, then over the roof pole to the other end, looped there, and thence to the ground again. This helps keep it from billowing in winds, too. Also use a piece of plastic still mostly folded for the floor. 

To stake down the fabric cover, either measure & add grommets, or use the Marbles. (Put marble under the spot of fabric you want to attach a tiedown to, tie rope around neck of fabric under marble, and pull tight) Tie down all corners and 3 along each long side. 

This mini 'viking' tent can cost under $20, sleeps 2, can hold a lot of gear in the end, is light,and is very portable.