I have written a post on how to make a Summery Seaside Teepee as we are in the full swing of Summer Holidays. I have meant to do this for years but finally we have achieved it and it’s been great for last minute days out.
I’ve written up a the tutorial for you in case you fancy trying one out for yourself. It’s teesy peesy …. sorry, I know …
You can use my measurements or adjust to work for you and your fabric, hopefully my instructions will make it easy to do either.
What you will need:
4 metres of fabric – 150cm width ( Less if you are not wanting to pattern match )
5 sticks diameter 2.5cm at least. I used broom handles from a local DIY store measuring 155 cm in length.
3 metres of string or thin rope.
2 metres of large pom pom fringe ( optional )
sewing machine, scissors, tape measure, pins and an iron.
Instructions:
Assemble the 5 sticks so that you have 2 at the front, 2 at the side and one pointing backwards. the 5th one adds extra space in the teepee but you could live without if necessary and it would mean using slightly less fabric. Bind the sticks together with string / rope like your life depends on it. Or just do it tightly .. :)
Before I start on fabric – please make sure you add 1cm for each seam. So add it to every measurement I have given here if using my pattern. I’ve added the odd reminder but do it every time. I haven’t added it to my instructions in case you are using a variation on size.
So here we go …
Measure at the base between each stick. The distance between the two front sticks and the 2 behind them should be equal on both sides – for this teepee it is 92 cm. Then measure round for the back panel from one side stick to the other including the 5th back stick which will be sticking out a bit hence being a larger panel of fabric needed – for this you will need 146 cm.
The front panel will be split in to 2 pieces for your ‘ door ‘ so measure between the front 2 sticks. So for this teepee -140 cm that will be cut down the middle and not forgetting seams on either sides of both panels.
Now measure up to where you would like the top of the teepee to start, making sure you allow room for sticks to meet and cross at the top. In this instance the length needs to be 127 cm plus your seam allowance each end. Work out desired top lengths for each panel. For this it is 14 cm for all 3 panels and seam allowances.
Next – draw out your panels on your fabric. Incidentally my fabric here is from The Stripes Company ( perfect for the beach and home ! ) I found it quite helpful with the perfect stripes as it helped indicate exact measurement. The two side panels are the same so you can cut one out and then lay it on top of the fabric, pin it and cut out the second. The third will be slightly larger as mentioned before. For the front panel, fold it in half long ways and then cut in half along the fold.
Pin then sew all of your panels together with seams facing inwards. Then press open all of the seams with your iron. Press the 2 front split panel seams and sew down 10cm and back stitch it. Then press down seams at the top and bottom, press and then stitch down.
At this point you can add pom pom fringe – again this gorgeous pink ones are from the Stripes Company. I just measured out amount needed and attached it inside with pom poms facing outwards, sewing carefully as it’s a tad fiddly but worth the effort.
Then all you need to do is slip the teepee over the sticks and you have your very own little hut to keep the kids happy and un – windswept and entertained for at least a week. Am I being optimistic here ?
But anyway, we took it to Southwold as you can see and although it was windy ( spot the stones weighing down the bottoms ) we sat very snug and cosy in the marshes. We felt like something from an Enid Blyton book watching kids run past with buckets and spades and we sat and ate our ice creams without wind blowing everything over.
We have put it at home in the toy room and its brightened up the space. So well worth the time making it.
If you’d like to get hold of some of this ‘ Baseball ‘ fabric or trim or see the entire fabulous range then have a look at the shop here. If you remember I used their deckchair canvas in my DIY Beach hut post.
