canvas tent material ...

[Maureen Martinez]

>From Jenny Winslow...

Connor,

I have made several pavillions over the years, and have a few words of advice on
materials selection.

1. As Stefan indicated, check out other companies for prices.  I usually use 
Triton fabrics out of Florida  I can get the ph # if you want.  They can be a 
little flakey to deal with, but have always sent me my order relatively quickly.

Also, you can sometimes find good deals on 'high and dry' canvas at Hancocks or 
Cloth World locally -- it comes in three or four colours.

2. ALWAYS use pre-treated canvas.  It is not worth the trouble to try to treat 
it yourself, and it NEVER gets as good of a seal as the factory treatment 
(Thompson's waterseal also makes the fabric VERY flammable!).  

I have used the water-resistant and mold resistant fabric, but never the flame 
retardant -- your choice will depend on what is important to you and what you 
are willing to pay for.  All are probably good provided it is a good weight.

3. Use cotton or cotton wrapped thread.  When wet, the cotton (or other natural 
thread) will swell and help seal the seam.  An all polyester thread will not.

4. Make sure your tent is dry before storing.  This will help reduce the mildew,
etc.
 
Best of luck, and I assure you, pavillions are well worth the effort!  We have 
gotton many good years enjoyment out of ours!

Jenny Winslow
MKA Maureen Martinez
-----------------------------

Connor Mac CLure announced:

Greeting to all,

     First may I ask for you pardons as I am new here in this forum.
I have been inquired by many persons as to how and of what material to
make period tents. Here in Bryn Gwlad I have found a Sail and canvas shop
willing to sell with a discount for quanity, canvas and canvas type water
and mold resistant materials. One of the owners said to me that they
maybe interested in taking on making pavillions in the winter months
only.

          May my Baron forgive if I have be ofensive, but as soon
as she can get new samples she is prepared to attend fighter practice to
let all see and get pricing. This will proboble be within 2 weeks.

>>>>
You might also want to get a look at some of my files to find out what
others have used in materials and why. Two files that might be useful
are:
tent-fabrics-msg  (41K)  9/ 4/96    Fabrics and treatments to use in tents.
tent-sources-msg  (59K)  9/20/96    Pavilion and canvas merchants.

If you check with the other canvas merchants you will have an idea of
what the going prices are as well as the various wieghts. It is also a
good idea to buy or obtain catalogs from various tent merchants since
they often highlight what they think is important in construction or
materials. These catalogs are also a good place to find style ideas.
<<<<

          I will have some factory perpared samples tue night at
fighter practice, Sept 24.

>>>>>
Connor, thank you for pursuing this. I am also posting this message to
the bryn-gwlad list since this appears to have been written more for an
Austin audience.

Stefan li Rous

Oh yes, my files are available at:
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/rialto/rialto.html
<<<<<

               Inguires too:

     Carey McCLure, Apple Safe & Lock, Austin, Tx.

     aka Connor Mac CLure, Blacksmith of Ayr, Scotland

     God / King / Barony / Self