due to the dread Caliche soil here in Austin: it shifts everything so what you put down does not stay there. A good fabric base will just slide about on the ground (and hopefully the sides will stay up). I am sorry I was not more clear about stating my needs. I need to make one and set it up, then find out just how practical it is. Thanks for the help, I will try the spiral-on-a-cone one (sounds like something you get at Dairy Queen.)