Title: tent-dsguises-msg
Subject: Ideas for disguising mundane tents.
Author: Edited by Mark Harris
Last saved by: Mark S. Harris
Keywords: tent, disguise, modern, walls, hiding, disguising

tent-dsguises-msg – 8/16/05

Ideas for disguising modern tents.

NOTE: See also the files: tent-alt-msg, decadence-msg, tent-fabrics-msg, tent-sources-msg, pavilions-msg, tent-rental-msg, p-tents-msg.

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                                          Stefan at florilegium.org
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From: arborimg <arborimg at mail.ic.net>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: I have a question about tents...
Date: Tue, 24 Sep 1996 20:51:25 -0400

Nils K Hammer wrote:
> Someone suggested covering nylon dome tents with cloth to
> look better, although the shape might be suspect.
> 
> Previous discussion of the subject here included late period
> pictures of dome tents, so the shape should not be disagreeable.

I did once see a small dome tent completely "thatched" with twigs. 
Looked great. I also saw a campsite in which a convenient tree with
a high limb was used with a rope attatched to the top of a dome tent.
During the day, the tent was hoisted up and out of sight.

Gunnbjorn Gunnarsson

From: parkerd at mcmail.cis.McMaster.CA (Diana Parker)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Hiding a mundane tent
Date: 2 Mar 1997 17:09:12 -0500
Organization: McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Womyn2me <womyn2me at aol.com> wrote:
>how do I hide my very nice mundane tent??

Here's a few suggestions, feel free to pick & choose:

- make a number of pennons or dags to string on a rope & encircle the roof 
  line 

- do you have outside poles?  Make decorative hangings to slip over those
  poles as you put up the tent.

- spike poles that stick up through the canvas?  make toppers for them.

- make a pair of banners to hang from each side of your awning.

- place a rug & nice pair of chairs & a table with cloth under your awning.

- go for ambience inside, starting with a rug or carpet on the floor

- don't worry about your tent, enjoy your first event & decide later if 
  you want to commit to a period tent if and as this one wears out.

cheers
Tabitha 
-- 
 Diana Parker           parkerd at mcmaster.ca     (905) 525-9140 (x24282)
 CUC - 201               Security Services       McMaster University

From: lshumar at iquest.net (Laura Shumar)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Hiding a mundane tent
Date: 3 Mar 1997 03:32:10 GMT

I'm not sure if a mundane tent can be effectively hidden...if I had
the equipment/space/ability to build a tent cozy, I'd use it to build
a real period tent.

If you're camping in a very small pup tent, then it might be possible
to stretch a cheap fabric structure over it, but I wouldn't try it
for anything large.

What I do is try to make other things more noticable than my mundane
tent.  I bought one of those sunshades with a frame made of tubes;
and I'm planning to make a fabric cover to replace the striped 
vinyl one, or maybe even to go over it.  This will be easier than a
tent, I think - it's only nice, not necessary, for it to be waterproof
and structurally sound.

Try nice, eye-catching banners and such too.  It's a lot easier to
overlook the mundane stuff if there's some really intersting period
stuff to draw your attention :-)

     -Laura

From: wmdcarr at aol.com (WMDCARR)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Hiding a mundane tent
Date: 3 Mar 1997 08:51:40 GMT

Womyn2me (womyn2me at aol.com) wrote:
: I will be making my first trip to an SCA event this spring...I do a lot of
: camping mundanely and am not so committed yet to the SCA that I wish to
: spend money on a period tent or pavilion...so how do I hide my very nice
: mundane tent??

And Tangwystyl sagely replied, in part:

<<Well, the easiest answer is that you "hide" it in plain sight among all the
other obviously-modern tents present at the event. While it is delightful
how many people are making the effort to use medieval-looking tents, they
are still far from the majority, in my experience.

I've occasionally seen people try to make a "medieval-looking
'tent-cozy'", but I've rarely felt that the results were worth the
effort....<snip>

So, in summary, save your ingenuity and energy for the possible day when
you take fabric and thread in hand and decide you want a medieval-style
tent. In the mean time, don't worry too much about it.

Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn>>

To these wise words I would add that a good modern tent is designed with
the tent and rainfly acting as a unit.  Adding a "tent-cozy" is likely to
at best make it unbearably hot in warm weather, and at worse may result in
excessive internal condensation.  I suppose with a cheap cabin tent from
K-Mart it probably doesn't make much difference, but after paying some
$300 for a one person backpacking tent (two if they are very friendly) I
should at least be able to get some snob value out of it!

In terra pax,
Rouland Carr

From: sthomas728 at aol.com (SThomas728)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Hiding a mundane tent
Date: 3 Mar 1997 08:51:57 GMT

I very much agree with the Lady Tangwystyl on her accounts that covering
may cause attention more than hide (think of teenagers trying to cover
acne with heavy make-up and instead making the situation worse! :)
However, if you are set on hiding your tent, I have a solution that is
fairly cheap.  Many Fred Meyers or "department stores" have a camping
aisle in which they carry "shades". They are basically four poles and a
roof with a thin fabric covering the roof and sometimes down each leg.  I
have found them as cheap as $25 for a 10x10', but more sturdy ones can run
to $70 (still at LEAST 1/10th the cost of a bought pavilion so far). 
Attach to this four walls of either canvas or another natural looking
fabric (basically curtains) and inside this place your mundane tent.  It
need not be waterproof (although I suggest water/mildew resisting the
added fabric so it is easier to maintain) since you ar sleeping inside a
waterproof mundane tent anyway.  I've found this method also tends to cut
back on rain and wind somewhat, and as it has shading properties, will cut
back on the "oven factor" in the middle of a hot day which tends to occur
with modern tents.  

If your tent does not fit inside one 10x10', you may choose to buy two
(with straight walls so they can be pushed together).  Also, sometimes
Costco and other warehouse stores carry a sort of pavilion without walls
(the roof tends to be waterproofed and is often intended for sales booths
at fairs) which comes in a 10x20' size for about $150.  They are
freestanding and very sturdy.

I hope this helps!  Wither option is still amazingly cheaper than a
pavilion itself, and it should do the trick!
If I can be of any more help, feel free to e-mail me.

Sincerely,
Genevieve

From: sunrise686 at aol.com (Sunrise686)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Hiding a mundane tent
Date: 3 Mar 1997 09:23:40 GMT

I heard that people have been using those India bedspreads to cover their
mundane tents, and although it isn't period, it "looks" period.  They
would also be light weight.  

Eleanor Courtenay

From: gileshill at aol.com (Gileshill)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Hiding a mundane tent
Date: 3 Mar 1997 09:43:21 GMT

Laura Ite Ghorm said:
>I will be making my first trip to an SCA event this spring...I do a lot of
>camping mundanely and am not so committed yet to the SCA that I wish to
>spend money on a period tent or pavilion...so how do I hide my very nice
>mundane tent??

Laura, assuming that a) you don't want to make any structural alterations
to your very nice (read: expensive) modern tent and b) that it isn't over
six feet tall, I'd recommend acquiring some portable holes* and making a
fabric screen to surround your tent.  You can use patterned material, or
paint your heraldry on it, or just leave it natural.  If you're likely to
encounter high winds, consider cutting windflaps into the cloth, to lessen
the wind resistance.

Giles

*That may be local idiom;  I mean 'pole holders you can pound into the
ground, useful for holding poles for banners, lanterns, pavillions, list
ropes, and so on, coming in a range of sizes and lengths.'

From: mdmmalice1 at aol.com (MdmMalice1)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Hiding a mundane tent
Date: 4 Mar 1997 04:26:09 GMT

All this talk of a tent cozy is making me extremely warm at the mere
thought of it.  Here in Trimaris, it sounds like you might end up with a
canvas pressure cooker instead!  So rather than that..might you not
consider freestanding side walls?

Just take poles equal to the height of your tent, set them in the ground
in a rough U shape with your tent in the center,  and run a rope from pole
to pole.  Then simply drape the rope with a light weight fabric.  It need
not be the same fabric all over and can even be painted with your device
or other special symbols.  Just anchor them down so the wind does not blow
them out.  

With that done..take 3 more and place them in a line before your tent, the
width of the tent itself (leaving enough room to walk out of your tent and
not hit the poles).  Again..set them in well, run the rope and drape the
resulting two panels with your fabric.  This would be a nice place to
display you and your lady's devices.

When this is all done..just step back..the mundane tent has vanished and
you have a nice compound for yourselves.

Melistra
Lady Melistra D'Ombree, AoA Trimaris

From: flanna at pobox.alaska.net
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Hiding a mundane tent
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 1997 11:24:12 GMT
Organization: Internet Alaska Inc.

gileshill at aol.com (Gileshill) wrote:
>Laura, assuming that a) you don't want to make any structural alterations
>to your very nice (read: expensive) modern tent and b) that it isn't over
>six feet tall, I'd recommend acquiring some portable holes* and making a
>fabric screen to surround your tent.  You can use patterned material, or
>paint your heraldry on it, or just leave it natural.  If you're likely to
>encounter high winds, consider cutting windflaps into the cloth, to lessen
>the wind resistance.

>Giles

Actually, one of the best or at least most amusing covers for a
mundane tent or dining-fly, or even an 11x11 screen house that we've
ever found has been a surplus parachute a friend gave us, in ivory and
orange panels yet. I know it sounds horrid, but you would be surprised
at how nicely it can make your structure look once it goes over it.
Add some pennants and personal banners and the effect is really pretty
spiffy!  Do cut the shroud-lines off about 18" from the chute so you
don't have them to trip on, and they can then be pegged to the ground
a bit to the outside of your tent walls to provide air flow and
storage for coolers, etc. Some friends were talking about using one
over those really big "market umbrellas" with the wrought-iron stands
that one can find in Costco and slitting it appropriately for a
sun-fly. I find that concept fascinating and plan to give it a shot
for day-trips this summer if possible...will let y'all know how or if
it works!

Flanna

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Hiding a mundane tent
From: una at bregeuf.stonemarche.org (Honour Horne-Jaruk)
Date: Wed, 05 Mar 97 07:11:49 EST

tyrca at aol.com (Tyrca) writes:

>      Since this is your first camping event, you may not realize that only
> the rich or obsessive among us has a period pavillion.  This is just one
> of the irresistable truths we have to deal with.  My first tent was one of
> those "earth pimples" that is vaguely shaped like an igloo.  There is no
> way to make it look "period", but it held my stuff, and gave me a place to
> sleep.
        Respected friend:
        Actually, I figured this one out... See below.

        (snip)
>     Go and enjoy yourself, and come back and report to us here on the
> bridge.
> 
> Tyrca Ivarsdottir,oleander,  AoA, OPN, ASTA
> 
>     Barony of Namron, Ansteorra

        If you wait until the end of beach season in your area, grass-cloth
mats (the kind sold in a lot of oriental specialty shops) go down to $1-3 US
each. Even if your dome tent is HUGE, $12 US or equivalent should get you 
enough mats to circle the bottom of your tent.
        Then you measure your tent from peg-to-peg across the top point. This
is the diagonal measure of the "tarp" you make from cheap plain cloth- dark
for cold areas, white for hot ones. A large sheet from a secondhand store 
works fine.Sew loops to each corner for pegging.
        Practice at home first. Set up the tent. place the mats around the 
bottom, overlapping ends and fastening tops so they stay wrapped. (DON'T
pin them to the tent.)
        Then throw the "tarp" over and peg the corners in an even square,
very close to the tent walls.
        From ten feet distance, your tent is now a small medieval haystack.
I've done this several times and it really does work. It also gives you a 
chance, should you wish one, to ask your partner-of-choice to go for a roll
in the hay. }:->
        Only drawback: the mats may need to be removed when it's raining.
With some tent fabrics, the mats touching the tent sides can cause leaks. 
(On the other hand, few people walk around looking at tents in the rain.)
        Placing a fake farm animal next to the tent may or may not add to
the illusion; make sure it's a very _real_ looking fake.
        My dream-of-the-week -- Seeing an entire encampment of these at 
Pennsic, scattered between the pavilions, with accompanying life-size
(medieval life-size) sheep and lambs. 
        Total cost, for a two-person dome: between four and fifteen dollars
US, depending on how good a bargain-hunter you are. And it's fun!

                                Alizaunde, Demoiselle de Bregeuf
                                Una Wicca (That Pict)
                                (Friend) Honour Horne-Jaruk, R.S.F.

From: alxandraod at aol.com (AlxandraOD)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Hiding a mundane tent
Date: 25 Mar 1997 20:08:36 GMT

I had an a-frame tent for years.  Having a middle eastern persona, I
covered the front of it (which was about all you could see, since we were
packed so closely) with a large sheet of heavy cloth out of which I had
cut a keyhole door.  I edged the door (for stablility), painted 6 sided
arabic stars around the door, and hung gauzy material in the opening to
keep out flies and prying eyes.  I completely obscured the mundane parts
of the tent (i'd wrap and tie the material around the frame itself) and
was a pleasant representation of my homeland in Morocco.  And it was fun
to make, to boot!

Good luck.
Suhayma

From: moondrgn at bga.com (Chris and Elisabeth Zakes)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Nylon tent into Medieval pavilion?
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 01:35:29 GMT

On 16 Apr 2001 00:00:04 GMT, an orbiting mind-control laser caused
motleysong at aol.com (MotleySong) to write:
>At this year's Pennsic, I would hate to detract from my household's encampment
>with my blue-grey nylon dome tent, however I cannot afford to purchase/make an
>entirely new Medieval pavilion.  I had considered stitching together a canvas
>tent-covering, but I'm not sure if that would work or if it would look any
>better.  This would just be a temporary thing until I get my pennies together
>and come up with an actual pavilion of some sort.
>
>My question to you folks is this: Has anyone out there has had any success with
>disguising their modern tents?  Do you have any suggestions regarding this sort
>of thing?

Get a cover and some fabric paint (or see if you can find the right
sort of camo-fabric) and paint it up so it looks like a haystack.

        -Tivar Moondragon
                Ansteorra

From: "Mira (Tanya Guptill)" <tguptill at teleport.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Nylon tent into Medieval pavilion?
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 10:47:12 -0700

Tivar wrote:
> Get a cover and some fabric paint (or see if you can find the right
> sort of camo-fabric) and paint it up so it looks like a haystack.

I've seen a dome tent done beautifully as a pile of sticks, and also as a haystack,
by having a 'cosy' made to fit over the tent, which has sticks or straw thickly
attached all over it.

Mira
http://www.teleport.com/~tguptill/tent.html

From: jmcadams at yin.interaccess.com (James Mcadams)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Nylon tent into Medieval pavilion?
Date: 19 Apr 2001 15:01:05 -0500
Organization: InterAccess, Co. - Chicagoland's Full Service Internet Provider

JE Anderson <eirika at telusplanet.net> wrote:
>> I've seen a dome tent done beautifully as a pile of sticks, and also as a
>haystack,
>> by having a 'cosy' made to fit over the tent, which has sticks or straw
>thickly
>> attached all over it.
>
>Mira, wuoldn't that be awefully hot inside????

        As someone who used a nylon dome tent for several years I'm
very doubtful that you can make one of them warmer in the summer.

        For those who haven't had the experience - a normal dome
tent doesn't block the sunlight, it lets just enough through
to create a greenhouse effect.  I've left the "shade" of one
such tent for the relative coolness of 100+ degree sunshine.

        Of course, I'm willing to be proven wrong (again).

                                        Louis Xavier
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Jim McAdams                        |       Do,
  jmcadams at interaccess.com           |       or Do Not.
  630-859-6902                       |       There is no "Try".   - Yoda
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Mira (Tanya Guptill)" <tguptill at teleport.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Nylon tent into Medieval pavilion?
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 22:30:10 -0700

Eirika,

I thought so, too, until I realized that I was unable to see if they had done
any sort of different venting/alterations due to the extra layer (such as a new
flap(s) that could be opened to let heat escape, and sealed up against bad
weather.)

Warmly,
Mira
fellow An Tirian :)

JE Anderson wrote:
> "Mira (Tanya Guptill)" <tguptill at teleport.com> wrote in message
>
> > I've seen a dome tent done beautifully as a pile of sticks, and also as a
> haystack,
> > by having a 'cosy' made to fit over the tent, which has sticks or straw
> > thickly attached all over it.
>
> Mira, wuoldn't that be awefully hot inside????
>
> Eirika

From: pyotr filipivich <phamp at mindspring.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Nylon tent into Medieval pavilion?
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2001 20:15:16 -0700
Organization: Fortesque Labs

        I've always considered getting a hold of some cammo netting. "It's not a
tent, it's a hermits hut.  Nicely done, with mud and moss ..."

Nikolai Petrovich Flandropoff
Whimiscal Order of the Ailing Wit
General Secretary for Clan MacFlandry
Loose Canon, Heavy Opera Company of An Tir

From: satyrsong at aol.comLEAD (SATYRSONG)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Date: 05 Jul 2001 21:16:04 GMT
Subject: Re: Medieval-izing EZ-UPs

I've seen everything from a simple add-on of dagging to the comercial roof to a
fully remade roof.
As I use mine as a shop at Ren-faires, I had Panther Pavillions make a custom
roof for me, with extra long rain flaps that fold up to hide the racks around
the edges of the tent and to better help secure the roof to the frame. Little
tie-on "drapes" hide the center racks and do not impede air flow. "Socks" hide
the metal legs.
All depends on how far you want to go!

SS
Trimaris

<< With mundane EZ-UP (pop-up shade pavilions) prices dropping and
dropping and the EZ-UPs themselves getting lighter and easier to put
up, EZ-UPs are becoming a very popular shade pavilion at events and
tournaments.

Does anyone have any suggestions/hints for making these EZ-UPs look
more medieval-ish so that they'll fit in with the rest of the
surroundings?

Katheline van Weye
Atenveldt >>

<the end>

Edited by Mark S. Harris	tent-dsguises-msg	Page  of