Bilgy Light
Bilgy 1 or 2 Person Lightweight Tarp Shelter Pattern
This tarp shelter plan includes a design which features a 1.3 silicone impregnated ripstop tarp attached to a No-see-um Shelter with 1.3 silicone impregnated ripstop bathtub floor and end flaps to completely cover and protect both ends of the shelter from wind and rain. One or both sides can be lowered to the ground to shed wind and also includes an inside pocket, clothesline and light hanger.
Why Build a Bilgy Light Tarp Shelter?
The Bilgy Tent starts with a tarp. Besides being lightweight, tarps have important foul-weather features that tents don’t have:
The construction time for this lightweight tarp shelter pattern is 20 to 50 hours, depending on experience and patience.
Tools needed are hot knife or scissors, pins, size 70 to 90 sewing-machine needles, hemming gauge, duct tape (heavy duty, indoor-outdoor duct tape for best adhesion to the slick silnylon), 12-foot tape measure, yard stick, carpenter’s chalk line, fabric marker (Note: Chalkboard chalk or silver "metallic Sharpie" permanent markers work well on silnylon; remove Sharpie errors with a rag wetted with paint thinner). A working space of about 11 ft. by 16 ft. is helpful to layout the tent pattern pieces.
Materials List for the Bilgy 1 Person Light Tarp Shelter
Materials List for the Bilgy 2 Person Light Tarp Shelter
1.3 oz. Silicone Impregnated Ripstop
1.3 oz. silicone impregnated 30 denier, high tenacity, bright nylon ripstop with heat and light inhibitors. This amazing fabric has a tear strength of 15 pounds. Using this material is a great way to reduce weight. Perfect for the bilgy tarp shelter plans (as pictured to left), a stuff pack (as pictured to left), lightweight tarp shelter patterns and more! This fabric is not fire retardant.
Width: 62"
No-See-UM Mosquito Netting
A very finely woven 100% polyester mosquito netting. Keeps out even the smallest pests. Packs down to almost nothing for trips to neat places with not so neat critters!
Width: 54"
Coil Zipper Tape
Sold by the yard, this very strong and flexible continuous coil zipper tape can be cut into any length. This is the perfect zipper for bags, tents, or packs. It cannot be made into a separating zipper. At least one end has to be sewn in.
Coil Sliders
Metal slider with single or double-pull. This piece is easy to put onto zipper by the yard or can be used to replace a lost or broken slide. Please choose from black, white, or nickel plated.
Grosgrain Ribbon
This lightweight nylon tape is a perfect binder to finish off the raw edges of seams.
Polypropylene Webbing
This webbing is good for outdoors use because it does not absorb water.
Nylon Sew-on Hook Only
VELCRO® brand fasteners has many uses for the outdoors as well as many sewing and home decor projects. Whether you are bundling a sleeping bag, attaching gear to a backpack, setting up camp or customizing gear, VELCRO® brand fasteners is an ideal solution. We sell our hook and loop separately in 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1.5", 2" and 4". Our 3/4" is stocked in a variety of colors. If you'd like both sides, please be sure and complete 2 orders, one for hook and one for loop.
3/4" Colored Sew-on Hook and Loop Fasteners
Our 3/4" Nylon Hook and Loop fastener is stocked in over 25 colors! If you'd like both sides, please be sure and complete 2 orders, one for hook and one for loop.
Gutermann Thread
Thanks to its balanced elasticity and recovery, Gutermann is perfect for sewing any kind of clothing fabric. Each stitch is uniform and seams do not pucker, regardless of if the fabric is natural, synthetic, or a blend. Gutermann is washable to 200°F, shrink resistant, iron resistant to 390°F, color fast and fade resistant. Its abrasion resistance guarantees durable and long-lasting seams. 100% polyester. Stocked in over 200 colors.
*** Note: Because Gutermann Thread comes in so many colors, we have made the first color option to be “Match my Fabric." If this color option is selected, we will attempt to match the fabric that you are ordering from us as best as possible. If you chose a specific color of thread with your fabric, we will select the thread that matches the best (e.g. if you order red fabric and you select red thread, we will chose a red that matches the closest). If you chose a color with out ordering fabric, we will chose the "truest" color possible. If you would like to order a specific color, we will need you to tell us the color name and number off of the spool or our color chart.
1/16" Cording
Perfect for drawstrings or lacing. Tough, strong and abrasion resistant.
Width: 1/16"
C.S. Osborne Grommet Kits
This kit has everything needed to set grommets, complete with easy to follow instructions. Although this kit is not intended for commercial use, with a name like C.S. Osborne you know it is a quality product that with reasonable care should last an indefinite period. Kit includes grommet die, punch, cutting board and grommets. Sizes zero-zero through one include 48 grommets. Sizes two through four include 24 grommets. Available in brass, black oxide or nickel plated brass finish.
Need more grommets? Check out our refill packages!
Grommet Refill
Solid brass grommet refill packages contain two dozen plain washer grommets. Available in brass or nickel plated brass finishes, please specify.
Ellipse Toggle™
Not only does the Ellipse Toggle fit nicely in the crook of your hand, but it also comes in a large selection of colors.
Sil-Net™ Silicone Seam Sealer
Sil-Net is specially formulated for sealing seams on fabric coated with silicone based products. Repairs moderate rips, tears and areas of abrasion.
Weller 40 Watt Hot Knife
Until you buy one of these you may not understand how useful it can be! This hot knife is perfect for cutting and sealing cording, webbing, and synthetic fabrics. Make your projects more durable so that they last longer.
This tarp shelter plan includes a design which features a 1.3 silicone impregnated ripstop tarp attached to a No-see-um Shelter with 1.3 silicone impregnated ripstop bathtub floor and end flaps to completely cover and protect both ends of the shelter from wind and rain. One or both sides can be lowered to the ground to shed wind and also includes an inside pocket, clothesline and light hanger.
Why Build a Bilgy Light Tarp Shelter?
The Bilgy Tent starts with a tarp. Besides being lightweight, tarps have important foul-weather features that tents don’t have:
- Tarps are open, spacious, and well ventilated.
- Tarps have an awning that provides a covered entryway and an area to cook in. The Bilgy has vestibules on each side of the mosquito shelter to store wet shoes and bulky gear.
- Tarps are easily setup and taken down without getting the interior wet, and can be lowered to shed high winds, or raised in hot weather for outstanding ventilation.
- Tarps are setup with hiking poles or sticks to further reduce carried weight.
- The Bilgy has a no-see-um shelter (with zippered door) for complete bug protection, end flaps for complete protection against wind and rain, and a tub floor to repel puddled or flowing rainwater. The no-see-um shelter will be 10 degrees or so warmer on a cold night than a plain tarp.
- The Bilgy Tent no-see-um shelter has vertical walls for full usage of the floor and ceiling space, unlike many tents with slanted walls.
- The large Bilgy tarp overhangs the walls and ends of the no-see-um shelter to eliminate all sidewall condensation, a problem in single-wall tents and tents with a skimpy rain fly.
- Weight and bulk are reduced by integrating the Bilgy tarp and no-see-um shelter into one unit that is easy to carry, setup and takedown.
- The Bilgy Tent has only 4 reset & adjustable guys lines, which simplifies and speeds usage.
The construction time for this lightweight tarp shelter pattern is 20 to 50 hours, depending on experience and patience.
Tools needed are hot knife or scissors, pins, size 70 to 90 sewing-machine needles, hemming gauge, duct tape (heavy duty, indoor-outdoor duct tape for best adhesion to the slick silnylon), 12-foot tape measure, yard stick, carpenter’s chalk line, fabric marker (Note: Chalkboard chalk or silver "metallic Sharpie" permanent markers work well on silnylon; remove Sharpie errors with a rag wetted with paint thinner). A working space of about 11 ft. by 16 ft. is helpful to layout the tent pattern pieces.
Materials List for the Bilgy 1 Person Light Tarp Shelter
- 10 yds 1.3 oz Silicone Impregnated Ripstop Nylon
- 4 yds No-see-um netting
- 3 yds #3 coil zipper tape
- 2 ea. #3 coil double sliders for above tape
- 5 yds 3/4" Grosgrain ribbon, black
- 1 yd 1.5" Grosgrain ribbon, black (or light weight webbing)
- 1/2 yd each of red and gold 1.5" webbing used for the Ridge Pulls, easily identifies the Door end or Foot ends when orientating the Tarp Shelter and matching the poles
- 2 yd 1" Hook Sew-on Velcro, black
- 2 yd 1" Loop Sew- on Velcro, black
- Thread:
- 3 ea Gutermann standard size 110yd (same color as 1.3 oz Silicone impregnated nylon)
- 1 ea Gutermann standard size 110yd, black
- 1 ea Gutermann standard size 110yd, red (for color coding ridge pulls)
- 1 ea Gutermann standard size 110yd, gold (for color coding ridge pulls)
- 30 yds 1/16" Cording
- 1 ea #1, ID 5/16" grommet kit (comes with 2 dozen grommets and washers, setter and hole punch); need three or four grommets for a bilgy tarp shelter plan.
- 1 ea Toggle/Cord Lock, small size (for storage stuff sack)
- 1 ea Silnet Silicone Seam Sealer
- 1 ea Hot Knife (optional *see notes*)
Materials List for the Bilgy 2 Person Light Tarp Shelter
- 12 yds 1.3 oz Silicone Impregnated Ripstop Nylon
- 6 yds No-see-um netting
- 3 yds #3 coil zipper tape
- 2 ea. #3 coil double sliders for above tape
- 8 yds 3/4" Grosgrain ribbon, black
- 1 yd 1.5" Grosgrain ribbon, black (or light weight webbing)
- 1/2 yd each of red and gold 1.5" webbing used for the Ridge Pulls, easily identifies the Door end or Foot ends when orientating the Tarp Shelter and matching the poles
- 2 yd 1" Hook Sew-on Velcro, black
- 2 yd 1" Loop Sew- on Velcro, black
- Thread:
- 3 ea Gutermann standard size 110yd (same color as 1.3 oz Silicone impregnated nylon)
- 1 ea Gutermann standard size 110yd, black
- 1 ea Gutermann standard size 110yd, red (for color coding ridge pulls)
- 1 ea Gutermann standard size 110yd, gold (for color coding ridge pulls)
- 30 yds 1/16" Cording
- 1 ea #1, ID 5/16" grommet kit (comes with 2 dozen grommets and washers, setter and hole punch); need three or four grommets for bilgy pattern.
- 1 ea Toggle/Cord Lock, small size (for storage stuff sack)
- 1 ea Silnet Silicone Seam Sealer
- 1 ea Hot Knife (optional *see notes*)
1.3 oz. Silicone Impregnated Ripstop
1.3 oz. silicone impregnated 30 denier, high tenacity, bright nylon ripstop with heat and light inhibitors. This amazing fabric has a tear strength of 15 pounds. Using this material is a great way to reduce weight. Perfect for the bilgy tarp shelter plans (as pictured to left), a stuff pack (as pictured to left), lightweight tarp shelter patterns and more! This fabric is not fire retardant.
Width: 62"
No-See-UM Mosquito Netting
A very finely woven 100% polyester mosquito netting. Keeps out even the smallest pests. Packs down to almost nothing for trips to neat places with not so neat critters!
Width: 54"
Coil Zipper Tape
Sold by the yard, this very strong and flexible continuous coil zipper tape can be cut into any length. This is the perfect zipper for bags, tents, or packs. It cannot be made into a separating zipper. At least one end has to be sewn in.
Coil Sliders
Metal slider with single or double-pull. This piece is easy to put onto zipper by the yard or can be used to replace a lost or broken slide. Please choose from black, white, or nickel plated.
Grosgrain Ribbon
This lightweight nylon tape is a perfect binder to finish off the raw edges of seams.
Polypropylene Webbing
This webbing is good for outdoors use because it does not absorb water.
Nylon Sew-on Hook Only
VELCRO® brand fasteners has many uses for the outdoors as well as many sewing and home decor projects. Whether you are bundling a sleeping bag, attaching gear to a backpack, setting up camp or customizing gear, VELCRO® brand fasteners is an ideal solution. We sell our hook and loop separately in 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1.5", 2" and 4". Our 3/4" is stocked in a variety of colors. If you'd like both sides, please be sure and complete 2 orders, one for hook and one for loop.
3/4" Colored Sew-on Hook and Loop Fasteners
Our 3/4" Nylon Hook and Loop fastener is stocked in over 25 colors! If you'd like both sides, please be sure and complete 2 orders, one for hook and one for loop.
Gutermann Thread
Thanks to its balanced elasticity and recovery, Gutermann is perfect for sewing any kind of clothing fabric. Each stitch is uniform and seams do not pucker, regardless of if the fabric is natural, synthetic, or a blend. Gutermann is washable to 200°F, shrink resistant, iron resistant to 390°F, color fast and fade resistant. Its abrasion resistance guarantees durable and long-lasting seams. 100% polyester. Stocked in over 200 colors.
*** Note: Because Gutermann Thread comes in so many colors, we have made the first color option to be “Match my Fabric." If this color option is selected, we will attempt to match the fabric that you are ordering from us as best as possible. If you chose a specific color of thread with your fabric, we will select the thread that matches the best (e.g. if you order red fabric and you select red thread, we will chose a red that matches the closest). If you chose a color with out ordering fabric, we will chose the "truest" color possible. If you would like to order a specific color, we will need you to tell us the color name and number off of the spool or our color chart.
1/16" Cording
Perfect for drawstrings or lacing. Tough, strong and abrasion resistant.
Width: 1/16"
C.S. Osborne Grommet Kits
This kit has everything needed to set grommets, complete with easy to follow instructions. Although this kit is not intended for commercial use, with a name like C.S. Osborne you know it is a quality product that with reasonable care should last an indefinite period. Kit includes grommet die, punch, cutting board and grommets. Sizes zero-zero through one include 48 grommets. Sizes two through four include 24 grommets. Available in brass, black oxide or nickel plated brass finish.
- When setting grommets, use a hard surface under the grommet anvil. Our Mini Anvil works great for this application! To enhance the life expectancy of your grommet setter use a rawhide hammer or wooden mallet, not a steel hammer.
- When using the hole punch that comes with this grommet kit, we highly recommend using either the Self Healing Cutting Pad or corrugated cardboard instead of the wooden block provided with kit. This will increase the life expectancy of the hole punch drastically.
Need more grommets? Check out our refill packages!
Grommet Refill
Solid brass grommet refill packages contain two dozen plain washer grommets. Available in brass or nickel plated brass finishes, please specify.
- Set these grommets with one of the following tools: C.S. Osborne Plain Washer Grommet Setter, C.S. Osborne Grommet Kits or Press-N-Snap Tool.
- Punch holes before setting grommets with one of the following tools: C.S. Osborne Drive Hole Punch, C.S. Osborne Revolving Hole Punch or Screw Hole Punch
Ellipse Toggle™
Not only does the Ellipse Toggle fit nicely in the crook of your hand, but it also comes in a large selection of colors.
Sil-Net™ Silicone Seam Sealer
Sil-Net is specially formulated for sealing seams on fabric coated with silicone based products. Repairs moderate rips, tears and areas of abrasion.
Weller 40 Watt Hot Knife
Until you buy one of these you may not understand how useful it can be! This hot knife is perfect for cutting and sealing cording, webbing, and synthetic fabrics. Make your projects more durable so that they last longer.