Of course, being a residential architect in mundane life, I’m Very Interested in how tents work.  And  small cabins.  And yurts.  And sunshades.

I took pictures of an arming tent that someday I’d like to copy.

And drew a sunshade that I’m making.

The owner described her process, and it’s very easy, and inexpensive.  It’s a painter’s canvas dropcloth, (4) 6′ pressure-treated 2x2s, (2) 8′ pressure-treated 2x2s, 6 spikes for the tops of the poles, 8 stakes, 8 tie-offs thingys and some rope.  I’ve bought the materials for $60.

Here’s an interesting site about period tent building.  It says those little wood thingys on the ropes are called sliders.  Well, that’s logical.