Many Arabian custom tents have attractive and colorful curtains called qata.
The curtain will hang within and across the middle of the structure. The tent is usually divided into two by the curtain, with one section being assigned to the men and the other to the women. The women’s section tends to be bigger in space and men cannot easily enter except the owner. Tent flaps or the Ruaq will also involve long materials that are attached to the tent’s side. These are usually hung just like curtains and will go around the entire structure to keep it sealed during the night. The tent cloth will be good for about five to six years. Over time, more sections can be added to keep the tent in top form. Goat’s hair is usually spun by the local women using a maghzal or a basic drop spindle. The thread is woven using a horizontal ground loom called a natui. The loom is also easy to bring from one place to another.
To get the basic dimensions of the cloth strips, the old approach is used to get the width of the loom. The measurements are also based on the forearms of the weaver. The approach in sewing the strips is done by several women working at the same time. It is common especially during special occasions. Sewing will require some skill to ensure the material’s quality and durability. The custom tent cloth should be woven loosely. You can witness how these are actually sewn and prepared.