Having the ability to quickly get the tent fly set up in a storm can greatly help with keeping everything dry. Four grosgrain loops with split-rings sewn into the corners allow the tent fly to be installed prior to getting the tent body in place.
DIY footprint with the poles installed into the corner rings. If it’s windy rocks or other heavy objects can hold the footprint down while the fly is installed. If the footprint is wet or snow covered, just give it a shake after the fly is installed and before adding the tent body. 
Four 5′ lengths of 7/8″ grosgrain have been triple folded with stainless steel split rings sized to receive the four pole ends. The elastic cords are independent to allow for separate placement of the 5 corner pegs. 
#8 stainless steel split rings from a fishing supply house are the appropriate size for the MSR Hubba composite pole ends. Pictured with one of the 5″ lengths of triple-sewn grosgrain. 
One of the four corner loops sewn into place. The length of the grosgrain has been based on the correct placement of the pole-end for when the tent body and fly have been installed.
Many tent flys include Velcro hook and loop patches on the entry. This no-sew upgrade uses patches of Loop Velcro to cover the matching Hook Velcro patch and prevent engagement. If you want to use the Velcro closure then simply remove the temporary Loop patch.
Top-loading to side-loading tent bag: This project removes the side seam from a top-loading tent bag, and inserts a side panel for rapid loading and compression. The materials used are a scrap of X-Pac LS07 (~6×20″), 3 Kam Snap pairs, ~12″ 3/4 inch elastic fabric, and a short length of bias tape to repair the frayed edges of the top flap. A quick upgrade to the packing checklist. 🙂
