A midgie net Valance ?
- Thread starter flyfifer
- Start date
I converted my three metres of Midgie Mesh into nine "panels" 330mm-ish by 1.5 metres long.
The panels were grosgrain edged on all four sides and some were sewn end to end to create lengths approximating to fly lengths, door to door with the intent to add the necessary extra lengths as the job progressed.
I bit the bullet today and started sewing direct to the fly edge (velcro ideas were discarded).
I should be able to get the job done by the weekend.
Hopefully I have not/will not have dragged tent material and mis-shaped the fly --- a dry day next week will tell the tale. !.
The panels were grosgrain edged on all four sides and some were sewn end to end to create lengths approximating to fly lengths, door to door with the intent to add the necessary extra lengths as the job progressed.
I bit the bullet today and started sewing direct to the fly edge (velcro ideas were discarded).
I should be able to get the job done by the weekend.
Hopefully I have not/will not have dragged tent material and mis-shaped the fly --- a dry day next week will tell the tale. !.
There was a Topic on here - magnets for door closers, that caught my eye.
It finished when there seemed little enthusiasm for the idea --- I have hung in to the concept though.
My Midgie mesh is continuously sewn around the fly apart from the door opening(s).
The adjacent mesh sections are overlapped and currently have Velcro closers -- (to allow the door to open!).
Midgie Mesh hates velcro.
Intuitively you can imagine velcro pulling at the mesh -- it does !
Others are obviously aware of that (see above).
Omni tape was suggested as a Velcro Lite ---- but it is expensive as it seems to be only available in "quantity".
Anyway - getting to the point.----
MAGNETS.
It seems to me that a magnetic closure system would be appropriate.
Stiff steel wire is easy to come by but completely in-appropriate as it would no doubt end up holing the tent.
Flexi "wire" and Flexi magnets are required.
I googled magnetic thread but didn't get far.
Suggestions please.
I should perhaps add that I have got as far as 3or 4 mm dia X 1mm thick neodymium magnets stuck to left over polycro tape and sewn between grosgrain layers.
Then repeated for the opposite polarity to make "a pair of closers".
It finished when there seemed little enthusiasm for the idea --- I have hung in to the concept though.
My Midgie mesh is continuously sewn around the fly apart from the door opening(s).
The adjacent mesh sections are overlapped and currently have Velcro closers -- (to allow the door to open!).
Midgie Mesh hates velcro.
Intuitively you can imagine velcro pulling at the mesh -- it does !
Others are obviously aware of that (see above).
Omni tape was suggested as a Velcro Lite ---- but it is expensive as it seems to be only available in "quantity".
Anyway - getting to the point.----
MAGNETS.
It seems to me that a magnetic closure system would be appropriate.
Stiff steel wire is easy to come by but completely in-appropriate as it would no doubt end up holing the tent.
Flexi "wire" and Flexi magnets are required.
I googled magnetic thread but didn't get far.
Suggestions please.
I should perhaps add that I have got as far as 3or 4 mm dia X 1mm thick neodymium magnets stuck to left over polycro tape and sewn between grosgrain layers.
Then repeated for the opposite polarity to make "a pair of closers".
Last edited:
Rog Tallbloke
Thru Hiker
I think you answered your own question. Pairs.
And magnets are ideal for this job. They're not so good for closures on the main doors because wind pressure and a bit of flapping can pull them apart.
Rog Tallbloke
Thru Hiker
gamemaster84
Ultralighter
Nicely done!! 
In the interest of accuracy and not misleading anyone who might be tempted to follow.
Magnets.
I have today decided to abandon using magnets to close two ends of the panels (at the doors).
I tried to use 4mm X 0.5mm disc magnets.
Unless the opposite polarity strips had the magnets very, very, close to the same centres the pull was poor.
Using a 6inch steel rule (as a test piece) on either polarity strip, the pull was decent but a steel strip has too much damage potential AND even with 0.5mm thick magnets the faces did not lie flat.
New Route.
I am going back to Velcro for the panel "door closers".
It is the only easy obvious way to get two ends fixed together with no midgie tunnels.
I will however modify the end 80mm ish of the meeting panels to "solid" material thus removing the immediate potential for the Velcro dragging at mesh.
Onward and em, forward, I hope.
Magnets.
I have today decided to abandon using magnets to close two ends of the panels (at the doors).
I tried to use 4mm X 0.5mm disc magnets.
Unless the opposite polarity strips had the magnets very, very, close to the same centres the pull was poor.
Using a 6inch steel rule (as a test piece) on either polarity strip, the pull was decent but a steel strip has too much damage potential AND even with 0.5mm thick magnets the faces did not lie flat.
New Route.
I am going back to Velcro for the panel "door closers".
It is the only easy obvious way to get two ends fixed together with no midgie tunnels.
I will however modify the end 80mm ish of the meeting panels to "solid" material thus removing the immediate potential for the Velcro dragging at mesh.
Onward and em, forward, I hope.
Rog Tallbloke
Thru Hiker
I used a lightweight #3 zip on my Hut 1 mesh skirt. A bit of faff but I found I could step in and out of the tent without fully undoing it.
When I had the tent fly up the other day I found myself leaving the door partially closed and stepping in over the mesh (I had clipped the panel ends together).
I did think at that point could I "not have a joint in the panel".
I decided later to build in the flexibility even if I subsequently didn't use it.
I did think about a zip but thought it would be a pain in the proverbial !
I did think at that point could I "not have a joint in the panel".
I decided later to build in the flexibility even if I subsequently didn't use it.
I did think about a zip but thought it would be a pain in the proverbial !
As this project is coming to an end I would just like to thank my producer, stylist, hairdresser, therapist and electronically accessible suppliers.
In the real world, thank you to all who make this forum inspirational.
Nearly one year ago in these unusual times I was inspired to buy a sewing machine
Less than £30 has given me Stuff to Do.
Months of research, nor a lot of cash spent.
Loads of inspiration from the Usual Suspects on here.
Thanks.
Those who have replied with specific advice a Speshull thanks.
I know it's an ultralight concept but the inspiration applies to all. sorts of weights.
In the real world, thank you to all who make this forum inspirational.
Nearly one year ago in these unusual times I was inspired to buy a sewing machine
Less than £30 has given me Stuff to Do.
Months of research, nor a lot of cash spent.
Loads of inspiration from the Usual Suspects on here.
Thanks.
Those who have replied with specific advice a Speshull thanks.
I know it's an ultralight concept but the inspiration applies to all. sorts of weights.