Crazy Einar's Tent Tips
When I first split off from merchanting for someone else, I had to have a tent. We got accepted at a large event, and they asked what size my tent was. I looked helplessly at my wife, who said, "Nine by twelve."
So I told them 9 X 12.
She grabbed several plain cotton drop cloths from a hardware store and some colored heavy cotton tablecloths a hotel was throwing out, and with some grommets and a couple of sewing machines (letting one cool while using the other) seamed panels that we overlapped and blanket pinned together, so we could fold the sides up for selling space. It was not a totally period style, being a leanto, but I've seen wedges done the same way. Once waterproofed, the only long-term drawback is that driving rain will still beat through, creating a very light mist inside the tent that's actually kinda neat and even comfortable in hot weather. Well woven fabric at a decent angle will simply wick normal rain straight off the tent. Just be sure nothing you want to stay dry touches the sides (Which is important in any tent).
Period stakes should be cut with a hatchet from 1 x 2s. Iron stakes aren't generally period, are heavier and harder to replace. It takes 5 strokes of a hatchet to cut a stake: chop to length, point tip with two strokes, notch carefully. When it breaks or gets stuck, chop another one. Also use forked limbs. Iron in 3/8" can be forged down to a point with propane and a hammer on a good vise, and then the tops bent the same way with one pipe for leverage and one for a form while another person holds the torch on the metal.
Rope is standard manilla or coil from a hardware store, $5 for 100 feet or so. Either knot tautline hitches or drill sliders from more 1 X 2.
The disadvantage is it's not as weather tight as a professional pavilion. But you can still get years out of one--we got six years of Pennsic, Gulf, Lilies and major regional events from that tent. They look very period because they are. And I believe we spent about $25 on materials. I'm more than willing to give a merchant points for it when shopping, because it's a dedicated and serious attempt at being period, and looks far better than a quickup nylon fly or blue plastic tarp (Shudder). And for camping, it adds much to the atmosphere--you actually have a tent that fits being a medieval peasant.
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