Hello All,
Anyone here ever sew a Mid (i.e. BD Megamid, MLD Mid, etc.)?
I want to sew something more enclosed/secure than a tarp for trips with my children (ages 5 and 7; we're outgrowing a 2 man tent for the 3 of us). Ideally I want something that can fit at least 1 adult (maybe 2 if my wife takes to some convincing), 2 kids, plus gear.
I'm cooking up some plans but as I don't own one and have never seen plans, I'm pretty much winging it off of the dimensions I see posted online. I'm thinking in the 8 x 8 x 5 foot ballpark...
I'm sure I'll figure something out...but does anyone have any tips that might save me some time?
Thanks.

Here is a post on hikinghq.net. This guy made a nice pyramid tent.

http://hikinghq.net/forum/showthread.php?p=26466#post26466

I've found un-ventilated designs to be stuffy and wet. Check out the BillGy at Quest Outfitters for design ideas. It's well ventilated even when it's closed up for pouring rain.

Here are links to two BPL articles (related to the same project) in which Kevin Egelhoff created a cuben fiber mid.

Original idea thread
Project start thread
Post project report

Edited by sharalds on 07/29/2008 08:33:58 MDT.

Thanks everyone, I'll follow those leads...
The Tipi linked above looks great- a smaller version (similar to a GoLite Hex 3) could be really cool.
By adding more panels I imagine you're increasing it's ability to deflect wind, distributing panel tension much more evenly, etc. The usable space in a square floored mid is probably better though.
I think I will go with a hex/octagon design- I know my kids will really love the "tipi" idea.

edit: But then again, you could do an octagon as a mid with stronger mid-panel stakeouts...

Edited by xnomanx on 07/29/2008 11:55:54 MDT.

i've sewn a kifaru knockoff, and got as far as cutting out half the panels for a pyramid. but then i learned how real tipis are sewn - a semicircle rolled into a cone. i'm working on one right now and i think it's a superior design to multi-paneled pyramids and tipis.

the most complex part of sewing a multi-paneled pyramid is making all the seams match up in length so that all the panels converge properly at the top. i used a lot of naughty language when i was finishing mine!

but sewing a semicircle out of longer strips of fabric, the traditional tipi construction, eliminates the multiple seams joining together at the top. look at Titanium Goat's tents, examine the seams, and you'll see what I mean.

Edited by tarbubble on 07/29/2008 15:25:25 MDT.

I have sewed a pyramid tent. The one we use most is a bug pyramid tent. Getting the zipper correct was the hardest part for me, and it was pretty easy. I only had to rip the seams once.

I would be very greatfull to anyone who could point me to some Alphamid plans.
I would love to make an Alphamid out of breathable Tyvek.

Mabye I should ask Oware how much it would be, but I think a custom order like that would be too much for me and making your own stuff can be nice somtimes.

Brian, see these two threads.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/3936/index.html
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/2589/index.html