The Making of My New Tent - Thread, Velcro & Waterproofing

Got my upholstery thread, heavy duty sewing machine needles and Velcro today while at Jo Ann's.

For thread I got 3 spools (150 yds each) of darker khaki for the canvas and 2 spools of off white to stitch on the twill tape. I also picked up Vecro for the top of the tent wall corners and lower edges of the roof corners so they can attach to the easy up's frame. The original roof has Velcro and it should work well for keeping my canvas on my frame.

This evening I was reading emails from 1 of the Yahoo SCA encampment groups and there was talk about waterproofing tents. Someone posted a link for NikWax and after checking out their site I decided to purchase 2 - 500 ml bottles of Nikwax Tent and Gear Solar Proof instead of the waterproofing stuff at Academy. My thought was, considering the price, the extra solarproofing was worth the extra money. Hopefully while it's making my tent last longer it's also keeping the rays out of my tent, thus keeping it cooler.

5 spools of thread @ 2.49 11.98
1 yd ex wide Velcro 10.58
Sewing machine needles 5.28
1,000 ml Nikwax 28.93
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Post Script: The Nikwax was a complete waste of money. It was of absolutely no value.

The Making of My New Tent - Twill Tape

I ordered 100 yards of 1" twill tape tonight from Wm Booth, Draper. I will be running 2 rows down the length of each wall section. The placement of each will from the grommets at the top where the walls attach to the frame down and through a corresponding stake loop at the bottom of each 10' wall section.

Once the 'load tapes' are in place, I will use the remaining tape to bind my hem edges.

100 yds 1" twill tape $38

The Making of My New Tent - A Trip to the Laundramat

3 washers, 2 dryers $19.50

The Making of My New Tent - Canvas Fabric

After buying a canvas drop cloth at Lowe's to use for banners, etc, I got to thinking about using them for my tent fabric. They're canvas and you can get 10 oz weights.

I was familiar with the brand Trimaco, so I called MyTarps.com, asked what brand drop cloths they sold and was told Trimaco. What I failed to realize at the time was that Trimaco uses at least 2 different types of canvas for their drop cloths. While the "SuperTuff premium contractor grade" drop cloths I purchased will work beautifully, I really wish I had known about their "quality heavyweight" Frama line. The canvas I purchased (sight unseen) is a coarser weave, while the Frama cloths are made from "tightly woven twills, sateens, drills and ducks".

Lesson learned.

4 - 12' x 15' 10 oz. drop cloths $138.88
Shipping & Handling $ 28.91