Can some one tell what materials I could use to scratchbuild a tent.

Depending on the type and size tent..You could use..wooden dowel or coffee stir stick, white glue and tissue paper. fine thread for rope.

I'm not sure where I heard this and I'm not too sure if it will work but you might also try using a plastic bag from the local grocery store. Honestly though, it might not behave in the same way tissue paper and glue would.
Kyle

Id suggest millipiut.. mix it up, and then rol it out nice and thin.. trim to the size you want, form your tent add any folds, wrinkles etc and let the milliput dry.. add some scale poles and rope.. viola.. a tent..


Mojo

get some toilet paper and "drap" it over a few poles it will behave very realistic (apply with white glue and water mix50/50)

Might be of some help:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/94

Tells about making the tent on page two of article.

Jim

Dave Matthews technique: Get some cloth. Mix some white glue and water together (2 parts white glue, 1 part water). Soak the cloth in it, then let it dry over a frame shaped like you want. Then paint it. Or, you can use tissue paper over a frame, and brush a diluted glue over it.
or what about using thick aluminium foil?

I've had good success with tissue for those types of things in the past. You could also try the thin foil lids from a pudding/jello cup or a wine bottle. It would be rather easy to add texture to the foil and it's thin enough to give an authentic appearance...

Everybody has pretty much covered it so I'll just squeeze in my 1/4 cents worth. Tissue paper wet down with PVA:water I've found to be good as the guys mentioned . You can also use the paper used for making kites. Their thin enough and mould well around tent poles and ropes for pitched tents.

Thanks everyone for your tips and ideas I think I will go with the tissue and white glue mix.