I'm here to FINALLY share all the details of the DIY TeePee I made Logan a few weeks ago. I knew that she would enjoy the teepee but I had no idea HOW MUCH she would love it! We read books in the teepee, cuddle in the teepee and play hide and see in and around the teepee. It's my favorite project yet and it was super easy!
Originally, I went to Hobby Lobby and bought some cute fabric but it ended up being too short so I just used a canvas drop cloth that I had laying around the house. It was perfect. I used 2 panels, I believe they were around $9 or $10 at Lowe's/Home Depot.
You'll Need:
- 5 wood poles (I got bamboo sticks from the garden department at Lowe's, they were only $3)
- 2 canvas drop cloths or 5 1/4 yard of heavy fabric
- thick cord to tie the sticks together at the top - I got mine from hobby lobby
- scissors
- fabric glue
- paint (optional)
- measuring tape
Here is my pathetic attempt at an illustration of what I'm trying to explain below.
Let's Craft!
- Lay out both of your drop clothes flat on the floor and measure out all of your panels. You'll be measuring out 5 panels total.
- Dimensions: the bottom of each panel should measure 41". So the bottom of the triangle will be 41" in length. Using a light colored marker (I like to use metallic silver or gold because it doesn't show much), trace out the length.
- Find the center of the 41" line you've just drawn and measure up 60" and trace this line with a light colored marker as well.
- At the top of your 60" line, measure out 4" and center it on the 60" line to create the top of your triangle.
- Now, using a measuring tape or your ruler, connect the top and bottom lines to finish your triangle.
- I traced all 5 of my panels and then cut them out.
- Select 1 panel and measure 30" inches up the center of the triangle and cut straight up to create the opening for your teepee.
- Using your fabric glue, glue all of your panels together. Measurements above have allotted for 1/2 inch overlap. Allow your glue to dry overnight.
- Drill holes in the top of your teepee poles, leaving 4-6 inches at the top.
- Thread the cord through the holes in the poles leaving a decent amount of extra cord out on each side to wrap around the teepee fabric at the top.
- Drape your teepee over the poles and start tightly winding the cord around the fabric and the poles.
- Once you've wound the cord around a few times, tie the cord in a tight knot at the top.
- Spread out your sticks to open up your teepee and cut any extra cord at the top.
I'm constantly having to push down the sticks to spread out the teepee fabric when Lo gets wild and runs into the teepee. I'm sure you could at cuffs at the bottom of your panels to keep it situated.
Please let me know if you have any questions! Happy Teepee Making! =]