How to Make a Rain Fly Screen Tent

The basic design of a tent can be adapted to fit your project.

A rain fly tent is one of the most basic types of tents to construct and can be a great project for anyone looking to begin making their own camping equipment. A rain fly tent is made using only the rain fly portion of a regular tent. Pitch it by tying it to trees at the top and staking the corners down. A tarp is used for ground cover, and with the addition of screen mesh on the sides, this tent can provide almost complete coverage with minimal sewing and a lighter overall product.

Things You'll Need

• 10 foot by 10 foot square of tent material such as canvas, nylon or plastic
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Grommets
• 4 feet of nylon webbing, 1/2 inch
• Hammer
• Screen mesh

Instructions

1. Sew the perimeter of the tent material with a 1/2 inch hem using a double stitch for extra strength. This will increase the strength of the material and prevent fraying from regular use.

2. Cut the nylon webbing into 6-inch lengths, and overlap the ends to form a small loop. Sew a loop to each corner of the tent material so that the loop extends over the material and the ends are firmly attached to the material with a 1-inch double stitch. Attach loops to the center of each side of the tent material as well.

3. Hammer grommets into the corners of the tent material, just behind the loops. Grommets are hammered by placing one half of the grommet under the material, and the other half above the material before hammering them together, an action which punches out the material inside the circle of the grommet. Install grommets evenly along the sides of the tarp as well, every few feet.

4. Sew screen mesh onto the center of two opposite sides of the tent, about six inches in from the edge. The mesh should extend along about six feet on each side of the tent and extend down about five feet to reach the surface of the ground when the tent is pitched.

Tips & Warnings

• The shape of this tent can be adjusted to fit your needs. For example, flooring, doors or windows can easily be added with a little extra material.

• Depending on the shape of your tent, you may require more or less screen mesh to ensure complete coverage.

• If desired, the screen mesh can be attached using Velcro to make it removable. Fasteners can also be installed at the sides of the tent material to allow you to roll up the screen mesh and tie it securely to the sides of the door opening.

• Never allow your ground tarp to extend beyond the perimeter of your rain fly, as water dripping on exposed tarp surface may run into your tent and soak your sleeping bag and gear.

References

• Tarp Shelters: An Introduction by David B. Macpherson: Equipped to Survive (tm)
• Make Your Own Inexpensive Tarptent