Children's Tepee

Decorating With Style : Episode DWS-827 -- More Projects »
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Make this colorful fabric tepee, sure to delight a favorite child with hours of creative play.
Materials:

1 yard each of three colors foam-backed fleece fabric (60" wide)
2 yards of one color foam-backed fleece fabric (60" wide for lining)
7 pieces of 6' x 1"diameter bamboo garden stakes or PVC conduit
2/3 yard 2" wide Velcro hook and loop tape
3 yards giant chenille rickrack
2 yards coordinating chenille cord
large craft paper or cardboard for pattern
matching thread

Steps:

  1. To make pattern, draw a wedge shape, which measures nine inches wide across the top, 24 inches across the bottom and 34 inches from top to bottom (measure through center). Cut out.
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  • Trace pattern twice on each of the three one-yard pieces of fabric leaving at least one inch between shapes (figure A). (Pattern may be turned up side down to fit onto fabric).

  • Trace pattern twice onto two-yard piece for door, reserving extra fabric to make lining later.
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  • Arrange in alternating colors and sew six pieces together along straight sides using 1/2-inch seam allowances. Resulting shape will approximate half of a circle (figure B).

  • Pin the sewn piece onto remaining large piece of fabric with right sides facing. Cut out around outer edge. Sew around sides and top, using 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving lower edge open. Turn up lower edge one inch and machine-hem leaving lining separate from cover. Turn right side out, flattening all seams. Pin lining to cover along each sectional seam.
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  • Topstitch in the ditch from top to bottom at each seam. Create a second row of stitching two inches to the left of each seam to form channels to hold the poles. Cut a slit near the top of each channel so that top of pole can extend through the cover (figure C).

  • To make the door, pin the remaining two wedge shaped pieces together with right sides facing, sew all the way around using 1/2-inch seam allowance and leaving open a small area along the lower edge to turn. Turn right side out. Cut two two-inch squares of hook tape and sew into upper corners. Pin rickrack in place one inch from edge and sew in place.

  • To make strap, cut two pieces of remaining scrap fabric 18 inches long by three inches wide. Pin together with right sides facing and sew together. Turn right side out. Pin remaining hook tape on one side of strap and topstitch in place.

  • To assemble teepee, insert poles through channels and arrange so that they extend equal amounts from top and bottom of teepee. Gather poles together at top of tepee and wrap tightly with strap, about six inches from top of poles. Stand tepee up and spread poles to full extension. (Tepee will stand up best when placed on carpet rather than wood or linoleum floors.
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  • Roll up door and attach with hook tape to front opening of tepee. Tie up door with cords attached to two front poles (figure D).
    • Resources
    giant chenille rickrack

    Wright's (Wm Wright Co.)
    Website: www.wrights.com

    Tempo Foam Backed Fleece fabric
    The Fabric Club
    PO Box 767670
    Roswell, GA 30076
    US
    Toll Free Phone: 800-322-2582
    E-mail: CustomerService@fabricclub.com
    Website: www.fabricclub.com
    Guests
    Lynne Farris
    Craft designer, author and owner of Lynne Farris Designs
    Website: www.lynnefarrisdesigns.com
    Also in this Episode
    Decorating With Style : Episode DWS-827
    •Children's Tepee
    •Faucet Coat Rack
    •Chest of Drawers Bookcase
    •Paint Tips