Building a Circus Tent

[spankybird]

HI All,

I would like some different opinions on building a circus tent. I have seen some great tents from time to time on our forum and some of you have e-mailed me pictures of your circus tents.

It’s time to share it with all.

I started my with a base (1/4 plywood and glued wood spool to the base and then add the dowels. From there I cut pieces of craft paper to make a pattern for when I make the cloth tent. Some of the was cut by trial and error and redone once or twice.





The wood spool and dowels and craft paper came from Michaels.


be sure to click on the pic to enlarge it.
Lets see some of your tents and how you made them


tom

[FJ and G]

The way you did it sounds good, Tom. Is there something you are not satisfied about with the process or outcome. Looks like a good job.

As a matter of fact, circus tents are made of canvas, same material, I believe that went on sun shades on 1st gen. diesels. Accepted method for making those is paper as well.

If you want to really get fancy, you could cut up some canvas (like painter's drop cloth); dye the material pieces different colors and stich them up. Have the wife do this or ask her ideas.

dav

[spankybird]

I have found some oil cloth material that is red and white. I look like it will be great for the tent. That is my next step is buying the materail and having my mother-in-law make it from the craft paper pateren. When she does, I will take some pictures of it.

tom

[Anonymous]

Spankybird are you clowning around again,
looks good

[cnw1995]

What is craft paper - like construction paper - it 'hangs' pretty well - looks like canvas to me.

[spankybird]

Yes Doug, it’s the same difference. It comes in 18” x 24” sheets and many different colors.

tom

[spankybird]

Here is a circus tent and layout that one of our forum members e-mailed me. This was done by “bobo3”.

He did a really GREAT job on these.







tom

[FJ and G]

Tom,

I was thinking this over and a lighter material like cheesecloth would be even better than canvas.

Also, Bobo's circus is very colorful too.