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TH1P mark-1 simple tarp

May 18, 2021 — BarryK

I have posted about interesting ideas for a tent, that I named "TreeHugger 1P":

https://bkhome.org/news/202105/th1p-tent-design-using-solvespace.html

However, as I am a neophyte at tent construction, and indeed anything to do with sewing and fabrics, I decided that baby-steps are in order...

So have modified the outer skin of the tent to not have the spreader-pole, and just be a simple tarpaulin. I made the foot-end a bit higher -- want poles that fold to no more than 25cm long, but can have two poles at the foot-end, that lock together, achieving about 49cm length.

This simple tarp can still be tied up as a "tree hugger", and later could add an inner mesh tent. Just want to create this tarp first, to learn how to do it.

So, from SolveSpace, figured out the required dimensions of the tarp. Here they are, and sequence of marking the fabric shown in green:

img1

I marked it with a clay fabric pencil, this one, which marks OK on the silicone surface:

https://www.spotlightstores.com/sewing-fabrics/scissors-dyes-accessories/sewing-tools-accessories/fabric-markers/semco-fabric-pencils/BP80401344

Used normal general-purpose scissors, new and sharp, to cut out. It isn't easy, this stuff is so slippery, can't cut very straight. It doesn't have to be a perfect straight line, as all edges will be folded.

I bought new scissors, as they have to be sharp. Scissors get blunted when used to cut paper. These ones:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-240mm-general-purpose-scissors_p0191105

The fabric is 10D silnylon, silicone-coated on both sides. In fact, it is impregnated right through with silicone. So it is not only incredibly thin, but also incredibly slippery. I wasn't able to source it in Australia, so bought it from these guys (7 metres):

https://www.adventurexpert.com/product/10d-silnylon-fabric/

I then used the first one as a template for the second:

img2

Marked out with fabric pencil and cut the second. Very difficult, as my lounge room is too small. A large floor area is required, so can walk all around the sides.

Next step will probably be to sew or glue the side and bottom hems. After that, join the two pieces together along the ridgeline. Note, the reason that the ridgeline has to be cut along the side of the fabric, is that ripstop fabric is more stretchy when pulled diagonally. We want minimum stretch along the ridgeline.  

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