Bilgy 1 or 2 Person Light Tarp Shelter Pattern

Tarp Shelter has 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 Tarp Tent?

Click here for a Materials List

Bilgy 1 Person Light Weight Shelter Pattern $8.95/each
Bilgy 2 Person Light Weight Shelter Pattern $10.95/each

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:

1.      Tarps are open, spacious, and well ventilated.

2.      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.

3.      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.

4.      Tarps are setup with hiking poles or sticks to further reduce carried weight.

 The Bilgy adds features that a plain tarp does not have to gain all the advantages of a tent:

1.      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.

2.      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.

3.      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.

4.      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.

5.      The Bilgy Tent has only 4 reset & adjustable guys lines, which simplifies and speeds usage.

 Simply said, there is nothing like a Bilgy Tent.

Construction time 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 pattern pieces. 

Materials List for the Bilgy 1 or 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 light tarp shelter pattern (as pictured to left), or the tent awning, tarp or stuff pack (as pictured to left) projects in "Beyond Backpacking". This fabric is not fire retardant.  

Width: 62"
Colors:  Jade, White, Emerald, Lt Blue, Purple, Navy, Gold, Orange, Grey, Black

$11.50/yd

$2.00 for a Sample Pack

1/8 = 0.125
1/4 = 0.25
3/8 = 0.375
1/2 = 0.5
5/8 = 0.625
3/4 = 0.75
7/8 = 0.875

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"
Colors:  Black, White, Gray, Olive Brown 

$2.99/yd

$2.00 for a Sample Pack

1/8 = 0.125
1/4 = 0.25
3/8 = 0.375
1/2 = 0.5
5/8 = 0.625
3/4 = 0.75
7/8 = 0.875

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.   

Please keep orders to 1/8 yard increments.  Minimum cut is 1/2 yard.
 

Double

Locking

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.   

*Please note shipping estimates on full rolls are estimated for the 3". If ordering smaller widths your shipping will most likely be less.

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.

 Don't forget to check out our 3/4" colored fasteners

*All VELCRO® brand fasteners are sold each side separately.

1/8 = 0.125
1/4 = 0.25
3/8 = 0.375
1/2 = 0.5
5/8 = 0.625
3/4 = 0.75
7/8 = 0.875

To order by the yard:

To order by the roll:

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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.

3/4 Inch Colors: White, Beige, Yellow, Red, Burgundy, Green, Olive Green, Royal Blue, Navy Blue, Brown, Grey, Smoke Grey, Black, Turquoise, Hot Pink, Ivory, Sky Blue, Neon Orange, Neon Green, Neon Yellow, Neon Pink, Orange, Neon Red, Neon Blue, Dark Brown, Dark Grey, Purple (light/baby), Pink (light/baby), Juice

*All Hook and Loop fasteners are sold each side separately.

1/8 = 0.125
1/4 = 0.25
3/8 = 0.375
1/2 = 0.5
5/8 = 0.625
3/4 = 0.75
7/8 = 0.875

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 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--if you don't find the one you want, email us at seattlefabrics@msn.com

*** 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.

Standard Size-110 Yards $1.59 each
** 260 colors available **
Colors: Gutermann Color Chart

Dressmaker Size-273 Yards $3.29 each

Economy Size-547 yards $4.99 each

Super Economy Size-1094 yards $7.79 each

1/16" Cording 
Perfect for drawstrings or lacing.  Tough, strong and abrasion resistant.  

Width: 1/16"
Colors:  Black, White

.35¢/yd

1/8 = 0.125
1/4 = 0.25
3/8 = 0.375
1/2 = 0.5
5/8 = 0.625
3/4 = 0.75
7/8 = 0.875

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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 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, Handi 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.

Double Barrel Toggle
The double barrel toggle has two holes which may fill that unique application or solve threading problems found with some toggles.  Available in black.  

Available in two sizes:
normal
pixie (1/16" Capacity only) <---------- Perfect for reducing weight!

60¢ each

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. 

Colors in Normal Size:  black, white, red, yellow, purple, green, blue, black/blaze

Colors in Mini Size: red, yellow, cobalt <---------- Perfect for reducing weight!

60¢ each

For more toggles/cordlocks, click here.

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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.  

1.5oz tube $6.95/each

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.  

$38.95/each
Replacement Tips $10.95/each

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