Hello lovely friends! We’re back today with a super fun project we were wanting to whip up this week. With our veranda now empty, we’re enjoying the extra space for play.
I’ve wanted a teepee for about, oh, seven years now. (PS. did you know tipi, tepee + teepee are all acceptable? The things you learn when writing a blawgh.)
I first spied one in the mall before I got the nerve to try things on my own, and the price tag was not pretty. ($$$ x 4!) Then I wanted to make one, but the sewing part always freaked me out a little. You know, triangles and preciseness, and giant poles falling on your children and eight hour projects amongst other various whatnots. I’m getting the hang of sewing, but I was looking for an easier approach.
So I decided on a no-sew tactic.
We wanted to beat the winter blues, give the kids a little something fun for Valentine’s Day, and the best part?
It’s the official reading teepee. Aiden made a bee-line for the new fort this morning. I’m just excited to see him so excited…
Want to know how we did it?
Our final product measures about seven and a half feet tall by 6 feet wide. We wanted something large enough to hold all three kiddos, without taking over our entire house. This little hut can stand on it’s own all winter, and when we’re finito, we’ll simply fold it up and stash it away. (See: under our bed.)
We purchased six 1 x 2 x 8′s at our local store. On each piece of wood, we measured 1 foot down and in the center, drilled a hole using a RYOBI cordless drill. This is for the jute that will hold it all together.
I wish I had a photo of us putting it together, but it really wasn’t that complicated. You’ll definitely need an extra set of arms, but we just gradually positioned the poles, and as we added each one, strung them all through with jute until they felt right for a teepee shape. When we were finished, we wrapped it around until it was secure.
Because this tee pee is currently residing on the tile of our veranda, we used some hot glue to stabilize the bottoms on the floor. When we’re finished, we’ll just pop it up.
It’s not perfect, so let go of the notion and don’t let it drive you crazy if you decide to tackle this one. It’s fun and that’s all that matters.
The second best part to this whole insane little creation? The total cost for us with this teepee, was a whopping seven dollars. Why? Because we only paid for the wood. I decided to use this project as a fabric buster… Apparently I’m a little bit of a fabric hoarder in denial. I measure fabric for products like I do spaghetti and I’m all, what? It’s not three yards in a foot? Then I have enough fabric to cover a small village (or build a few teepees) and it sits in my cabinets for three years. Alas. Sigh. Digression.
Consider this a little project to get your purge on. I even purchased two large drop cloths from the hardware store (which we will now be returning) but you could slice one up, and supplement with patterned fabrics in between.
I actually knocked this out in a day, and once you get into the groove of it, there’s a learning curve. I recommend it as a weekend project if you want to take your time. (If you’re anything like me, once you’ve started you don’t want your kids dive bombing all your fabric or singeing off their hair in the glue gun, so you just want to finish.)
I wanted something fun and frilly since you can see it from all corners of the house, but a second alternative would be to take a simple drop cloth, drape it over and pinch it in place with a giant clip. I’ve seen those floating around the interwebs as well.
So I eyeballed it and starting at the top, cut my fabric into strips. I simply mimicked the rope action above, because the top part was a bit jumbled and complicated. I layered a few pieces, and secured them with glue. Tada! The top of my teepee. (Tipi. Tepee.)
Once I was about half a foot down, I began a system of ‘weaving’ the fabric through the poles. Since I was choosing from my fabric stash, I would eyeball to make sure I had enough, and cut to length. The pattern went over, under, over, under. When one section was under, I made sure the next section tucked around the pole, so that it was hidden. I just made sure to hot glue as I went, and hide the wood.
A few more hints:
• It doesn’t really matter how you do it, as long as you establish consistency. I found myself touching it up as I went. You can go back and tuck and glue and fold, until it looks right.
• Because this style is really made up of pieces of fabric, it will have a ‘ribbony look’. Read: gaps. I went back on the inside, and tacked the pieces together with hot glue. The kids said they like the ‘ribbon’, because they can peep through and see who’s coming. Eventually the hot glue will come loose, but it’s low maintenance and easy to repair.
• Put your glue gun on low, so a. you won’t singe the skin off your finger and curse the day you were born b. when you’re pressing said glued pieces together, it doesn’t take that long to dry.
• When you’re dealing with fatter pieces of fabric (see how I alternated my layers?) the angles with joining them from pole to pole will be a little more noticeable than with a skinny piece. Make sure they (the fat pieces of fabric) stretch all the way across from top to bottom, before securing with glue. There were a few sections I pulled down and had a redo. Thus the glue gun. Glue guns make everything okay.
• Make sure you save your biggest pieces of fabric for the bottom… the gaps get larger (and the pieces get longer) as you go.
• I took the front section as low as I wanted it to go, and then cut a slit nearly through the center for that ‘teepee look’. You can finish yours off however, but I figured nice and open means they’re less likely to pull it down in a torrent of spazdom.
My children are known for their torrents of spazdom. I have no idea where they get it. ;}
You may have noticed… I just didn’t have the heart to pull down our bunting from Emmy’s watercolor party. They’re like a shot of happy on rainy days. And those little feathers are from our thanksgiving place setting.
That arrow is a project from our book. Probably my absolute favorite. Get the step by step to that arrow and a few versions of it, here!
It’s bright and colorful, but I figured they’re only young once. May as well have fun! We threw some christmas lights in the top, and I have to say, it scored six thumbs up.
Here’s to doing something fun for your kids… and getting rid of that ridiculous fabric stash all at the same time!
Have an inspired day, y’all!
Love it. It is like a pretty organized fort.
I LOVE THIS!!!! You are so creative & such a fun mom!! Is 28 too old to have a reading fort?!?!
I may or may not be writing from it this morning. ;} Rainy days call for forts, right?
Absolutely!!
maybe I need a “fort room”
OMWord !!! If this isn’t the cutest thing, I don’t know what is —– I have wanted to make a teepee for my grandkids for a very long time but haven’t been able to work out the logistics in my mind. This is a terrific idea !!! And I just love that its all so colorful and inspiring for the kiddos. Thanks for sharing.
I.LOVE.IT!!!
That is the coolest every! I love all the fabrics and colors and… well… absolutely everything! Thanks for sharing… I bet you have to beg your kids to go to bed at night
Love it!! amazing.
question: does it fold up though? i would have to be able to take mine to the beach;)
Hey kasey! I honestly haven’t folded ours yet. I would imagine it would be stable enough to make it… Maybe even with a different kind of glue. I just planned on storing ours when not in use and then touching up accordingly. In the yard, etc. sorry that’s not much help. I would imagine super glue would make it totally permanent (?)
yes. a million cheers for this! The teepee was next on my DIY list, and now? permission to not sew! We are so doing this. Also, I’m pretty sure my boys are too old to think this is cool, think it’d be weird in our master bedroom?
Cutest thing EVER! Love the colors, shabby edges, fun pillows and the sherpa rug inside! Perfection.
BOOM- I was just looking for some tent or TP to make for the kids- this looks easier and cuter- doing it!!!!!!!
INCREDIBLE!!! Seriously the cutest and coziest thing ever!! No-sew makes you a hero!!
Oh my goodness – this is fantastic!! I am head over heels in love with it. I want to make one immediately. Seriously, it’s so incredibly amazing. My nieces and nephews would love this!! Heck, my husband would love this, haha
I love this- wish i had a closed in porch to put one of these for my grands……you have such a fantastic imagination…….love it!
I don’t have a ton of fabric, but I have a closet full of old sheets. That should do the trick! LOVE this idea, and, like you, I am not willing to pay what I saw it listed for online. Besides, your version is way cuter!
Seriously, will you be my mom? So that may sounds weird…. but really, this is such an amazing creation, I could move right in! You are incredible.
xo,
Jen
Okay, I’ll say what everyone else is saying…Ashley that thing is just too cute! seriously, I want one…for me..and the kids.
way to go!
It’s fabulous!
This is amazing! I want one of these for myself.
How fun! Kids are lucky to have such a Mom as you.
Where did you get that beautiful bluish crate on the left hand side?
stop it.
no really.
so much goodness in one blog.
killing me!!!
New fan via Pinterest. Love this idea and hope to make one for my son before our next baby comes in a couple of weeks. Just wish I had your fabulous collection of fabric scraps!
I did one of these several years ago for my grandchildren using basically the same method. I used a paint dropcloth instead of fabric and let them help me paint designs on the teepee using acrylic paints. They loved it and played in it for hours. Thanks for sharing.
this is seriously awesome. and love your photography. thanks for sharing!
No Sew teepee and the Tree House–it’s good to be a kid!
I’ve seen those uber expensive tipi’s on the web for years and thought that there HAS to be a way to make them but couldn’t figure out how and NEVER thought they could be THIS fantastic!! This is the best thing EVER! Thank you so very, very much for the detailed instructions so people like me can actually make one. I, too, am a fabric hoarder and happen to have a bare spot in my sunroom just calling out for a tipi. What a great mom you are, and how lucky your children are to have you!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Awesome. Definitely deserves pinning!l
super love. i think i need a reading teepee of my own
Grand idea…will keep it in mind for my granddaughter when she is a bit older. Love the lights inside…makes it perfect for reading!
I can’t wait to make this and have the grand-kids over for an “Indian Party”. Have to find some directions for some tom-toms now. Thanks to “the farmers wife” for the sheet idea.
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Hello! This absolutely lovely! I saw this on Pinterest and instantly fell in love! I don’t have children yet, but I am definitely planning on making this…for myself!
And your blog is fantastic! Absolutely brilliant and inspiring…thanks!
thank you very much! ;}
I really liked the no sew Teepee- right up my ally. No sewing, bright and beautiful colors, and a fun camping look for inside the house. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to researching more of your wonderful and inspired ideas.
This is SO absolutely adorable. I love everything about it (and the room it’s in)!
This is fabulous! Your photos are stunning as well. I had to pin this to my kidspirations board….too cute. I’m sure it would be big hit in my playroom. Thanks for the inspiration. New follower
LOVE LOVE LOVE this so much!!!
Stop it with the awesomenesss!!!!! (just kidding. keep it coming!)
I feel like the teepee is the hot lovechild of all the best fabrics from all the best spots in your house- born on Christmas day in the coolest room in your home.
that’s just how i feel.
ang
I love this! So colorful and fun. And yes, a great way to use up fabric. I won’t even go there! (that is, out to the shed for the BINS of fabric I have stockpiled like a squirrel). Well done!
This is so smart and so very cute and original. I have grand-sons coming to visit in June and I will make one…Thanks !!
Great project
I am so happy to see this post. I remember when I was elementary school somewhere around 4th – 5th, we had a student teacher, can’t remember her name but it was the fall of the somewhere around Thanksgiving, she gathered a group of us girls and made a teepee and spent a weekend at her house making popcorn necklaces for the class. I must try this project for my grandchildren but I’m sure they will have to fight off my baby, the 16 yr old, LOL.
I have a wraparound porch and would love to put one there. What do you think of that idea? I’m thinking a really bad rain could mess up such a beautiful tipi (love this spelling!).
Great project! Thanks for sharing!
Very fun and cute project! I really like the fabrics – very nice print and colors! Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing
How I wish I had space for something awesome like this. My kiddos would love it!
Did you glue the strips to each other or to the wood? I am having trouble with the “weaving”. Did you just cut each strip long enough to reach from one pole to the next, or did you cut them long enough to wrap in and out around the poles?
Hey Tammy, Most of the time, I did separate strips of fabric, and I would just hot glue them to the wood as I went. If I did one over the wood, I would to the next one under, making sure that piece of wood is hidden. Those photos above should give you a pretty good idea as to how it went. But with smaller gaps and skinnier pieces of fabric (like the orange ribbon you can see, I used longer pieces, and simply wrapped them around. It’s hard to describe, so it’s kind of touch and go once you start, to figure out your own method-what works for you. But definitely doable! Hope that helps!
I have one almost completely sewn and ready for the poles (another issue with it) but I can’t figure out the top part where it is held up by something….pattern wasn’t too clear and doesn’t seem to match what I ended up with (and I’m an experienced sewer!). Thanks to this I can figure out what to do!
Thanks for posting and wow all that weaving was energetic of you…I’d've serged the strips together but that’s just how I roll. Kinda lazy.
Love how it looks and during the summer it can go outside instead of under the bed.
haha lazy? see I’m thinking I sound lazy. What works for one is different for everyone, I guess! ;}
Pretty darn cool!
I think that is awesome. My 6 yr. old grand daugter would love this.
What a fantastic ideas!!! I may try one for the summer!!!
“Torrent of spazdom” = my kids every 4.3 minutes. That was a perfect description!
I love this and just sent my husband an email with this as the subject line: “We will be making this.” SOON.
Is it wrong that I want one – all for myself?!
Love this – and no sew is the icing on the teepee!
Kelly
I love it! I’ve been hankering after a teepee for my son O’s room….
What a beautiful hideaway. Thank you so much for sharing
I am thrilled to have found your site (by way of a Pinterest post)
My children will love it and my husband will think I’m amazing too:)
could not love this more! gorgeous and so fun! i have four kiddos myself and they would be over the moon with this…..
Oh. My. Goodness!! This is spectacular! Bravo to you. A creative approach. And it’s so colorful and fun. Pinning!
<3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
Wildly Original linky party is open
love it! So going to make one of these! Thanks for the idea
I absolutely love this idea and actually wouldn’t even consider it without the mix/match of fabric used to make it look so unique. I would love to see the rest of your home if your sunroom looks this cute! Thank you for sharing.
I LOVE this! Last week my little sis & I created a girly version of a tee pee for about $20 out of an embroidery hoop & some netting style curtains. I just found your tee pee today & as soon as Spring comes I’m going to make one with treated wood & outdoor fabric for the backyard!
I can’t wait! Anything no sew works for me.
My girly tee pee is at http://www.lovesissy.com/4/post/2013/02/tee-pee-time.html if youd like to see it.
That is absolutely awesome!!!
Hi! I love the teepee! I love the rod for the curtains even more….Would you please be so kind as to email me and let me know what you used? It looks like it goes all the way across both windows. I just recently got an sliding glass door installed and I’m agonizing over the window treatment! I would appreciate any help. Thank you!
Hey Debbie! That is a copper pipe – the only thing we could find that was long enough and totally affordable at the time! ;} You can read all about that here! (We have it all throughout our house.) I hope that helps! ;}
What a fantastic idea. My daughter wants me to make her one. We both love it.
Thankyou for sharing it.
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Nice idea, two question can you store this teepee? how do you roll the fabric so tight? please, please help I would like to do it for my boys.
Hey! I haven’t quite taken it down yet. But when I do, I’ll probably just close it up, and then roll it in a sheet or drop cloth for safe storage. Hope that helps!
I am so gonna make this for my grandsons…they are forever trying to make them a “house” using their blankets, pillows, chairs and anything else they can get their hands on. They would have fun making this…they like to help out a lot…they are 5 & 3 they are the babies of the house and I usually let them have at it…they can make a nice mess…this is perfect for them…Thank you for sharing
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Could you tell me how tall your teepee ended up. Getting ready to make it and wasn’t sure how far to spread the poles before wrapping the material?
this is so amazing!!! I love how low maintenance and very spur of the moment feel
I want one!!! LOVE this and your colors (the entire room) is amazing! Makes me happy just looking at the photo! The children are adorable!
You are so clever. I’ve always wanted to make the grand kids something different, and, yes, I do have lots of fabric. Might have to buy a bit. So cute Thank you for posting. I’m going to give it a try for an. Easter gift for both kids. They’ll love it I hope.
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I love this idea. What did you use for lighting inside the teepee? I think I may have enough to do this project, but perhaps not as tall. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Becky! We only have it on when we are at home, but it is just christmas lights. pulled around the top poles and down. ;} It’s fun for the kids!
I’m thinking on turning this into a bed for myself! So cute and easy!
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Wow, I love this tepee! You should consider making them and selling them.
This is the cutest…..I am going to attempt an outside one made with
Sunbrella Fabric…..maybe even a row of mesh for some air circulation.
I have been going to do this forever, now the grand kids are older so they
will enjoy helping. I just hope I can keep grampa out of it!!!!
The teepee is just awesome! I bought the supplies and fabric scraps that I cut the way yours are. I wanted to know before I start if you surged the edges so the fabric doesn’t fray? Also, I bought embroidery thread, and was going to stitch each layer together with an X stitch. I can’t sew well enough to do some of the other tutorials. Do you think this approach would work? What and how did you make a bottom for the teepee? Thanks
Hey! I did not surge the edges, because I am lazy. But that’s a good idea! Ours hasn’t frayed that much, but again, it just depends on what kind of a look you can tolerate/want to go for. ;} Sewing the layers together is a great idea! It would take a lot of time, though. The fabric will stretch out over time because that’s just the nature of fabric. My kids have leaned on it, etc. so I go back and tighten the layers/patch it up with hot glue… I like the flexibility and time saver of glue. We will eventually fold this puppy up and just take it outside. the gaps that come over time don’t really bother me that much. I didn’t do a bottom. Those are rugs that I layered… but you could always paint a drop cloth or just throw one down and layer with pillows. I hope that helps! ;}
I have a small daycare and can’t wait to make this and watch the excitement in the children’s eyes when they see it!
thanks a bunch!
I am very inspired by this project. I am going to give it a try (:
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I FREAKING LOVE this!!! I found you on google + This is the first time I have ever become a follower of someone because of G+. I am most definitely pinning this project!
Thsi is so nice..Tanks for Sharing !
Loved this
I fell in love with this the moment I saw it. I am going to make this for my son’s 5th birthday next month. He ALWAYS wants to make a tent AND we are from Oklahoma! This will be perfect!
I’ve bought all of my supplies and I am ready to start. I wondered if there was anything you would change or do differently before I start my teepee?
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This is the most amaZeball-ing thing I’ve ever seen with my eyes.
This is soooo perfect for me! Have been hanging to have a teepee for the kids but have found it hard to find one I really like/doesnt cost a fortune/will ship to Oz/is suitable for someone who can barely hand stitch. I am really good at gluing stuff ha ha. Thanks xx
OH MY GOODNESS… I am making this for my son! AMAZING idea! THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT!
I’ve just come across this! Love it! I can see it’s been said many times before, but it’s an inspired idea and looks amazing. The rug and cushions are the perfect finishing touch and I’m sure your kids love playing and cuddling up inside. My daughter wouldn’t get out! I will definitely be back to your site when I’ve got a little more time to spend browsing! In the meantime, I’ve posted a link to this on our Facebook page (hope you don’t mind!) and will pop in on our blog too if you’re happy for me to do that x
Thanks so much, Sue! ;}
You’re more than welcome! I’ve just popped it on our blog with a link back to your tutorial; the image is looking great, if you’d like to take a peek it’s here: http://www.gingerandmay.co.uk/a-perfect-nook-homemade-no-sew-teepee.php.
Just been reading your info on making garden boxes. A little project I could do with completing now we’ve finally got some sun here in the UK!
Very clever indeed. Already started an outside one with canvas today but will try this soon.
Oh wow, I want to make this RIGHT NOW, even though I don’t have a crafty bone in my body. Thank you for sharing the instructions! Pinning it now.
Perhaps a dumb question, but how easily could this be moved? While my child is small I would like it for his room, but when he is a little older he might want it for his “play room” downstairs.
Do you have a pdf file or printer friendly way of printing this?
Hey Holly! I have not moved ours yet but I am sure with a little folding and minor repositioning it would be no big deal. ;} Hope that helps!
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Nothing short of brilliant! You have some mighty lucky kiddos!
I Love your attitude!! I am 70 and have wanted a teepee (tipi , tp etc) since I was a kid! I am having my Grandnieces come visit next year..the young ones..and I will make this our project…I think they will love to get involved and I will have a teepee, at last!!!
Hi, this is very beautiful, I’ll do it to my 6 year son, he will love it.
You could use old sheets and dye them in tea or coffee to make them look like hide if you want a more teepee authentic feel. Muslin maybe? With sheets you could use fabric paint and paint Native American symbols like Buffalo and suns on it. After you get it up and assembled, would a staple gun work to secure the fabric more permanently? I have sooooo much left over fabric but no young kids… The cats might like a nice teepee to sleep in!
It’s the best idea ever…I always wante a tepee when I was a kid thanks for shared this wonderful proyect now my husband and I will make it for my 9 month baby boy we aldo have a 18 years old girl and I’m pretty sure she’ll enjoy read some stories to her baby brother. Regards
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Any estimate on amount of fabric
No, I’m sorry. It depends on how large your teepee is and what strips you use… this was a scrap fabric deal for me so I didn’t keep up with it. ;}
YES you have!!!! I’m on my way to the store for wood!!! Wish me luck!!!!
I am totally inspired. This is absolutely fantastic. Such good work, and I’ll bet the kids are just loving it!
Pinning!
Amy @ Creative Kid Snacks
What an amazing tepee. The happy faces of your kiddio’s says it all. What an inspiration need to save you on my favories list.
Helen xx