My sister asked me to help her make a Tee Pee for my niece Eva. It was fun to make and took us a couple of leisurely afternoons. This Tee Pee is a fun weekend project that can be used either indoors on a rainy day, or in the back yard when the sun is out. We’ve made it with an old bed sheet to save money on fabric.
This is a very detailed tutorial so this project will stretch over two posts.
Part 1 covers the making of the frame
Part 2 explains how to make the outer covering.
So lets get started-
For Part 1 you will need:
5x 18mm diam wooden dowels 180cm long (about 71″) (hardware store can usually cut these to size for you)
power drill
5mm drill bit
5mm thick cotton rope bundle, min length 1m (about 1 yard)
measuring tape
pencil
sticky tape
sandpaper (optional)
For Part 2 you will need:
1x queen size bed sheet
Sewing machine and general sewing supplies
3m bias tape for trims and ties
measuring tape (in inches)
fabric marker
How to:
Gather your supplies and clear a suitable work area for using your power drill. If you aren’t confident with power tools, ask a friend or family member to help.
To mark the hole positions, measure 26cm (10.25″) down from the top of the dowels and mark with an X.
Carefully drill one hole in each dowel.
Thread the rope through all the holes, it’s easier if you wrap some sticky tape around the end.
Pull a good length through to leave a couple of long ends. Tie a knot firmly then wrap the rope around a few times and knot firmly again.
Frame is done, now we are half way there. Tune in next week for detailed instructions and measurements to make the outer cover.
WOW! This is such a gorgeous tent, I love it! Thanks so much for sharing this how-to, I'll be linking!
This is awesome! i would love to make a tee pee… i'm a bit stuck for time and slack on sewing, but you do make it look easy!!
Oooh, that looks like fun! I had been planning on making my niece a set of tossing bags for her birthday, now I'm not so sure …
We are having a kids party on Saturday… Hurry up and finish the tutorial lol…
Xo Steph
Hi steph , if you are desperate just wrap a quilt or blanket and fasten with pegs as a temporary fix for the party
This Tee Pee is a fun weekend project that can be used either indoors on a rainy day, or in the back yard when the sun is out
Anxiously awaiting part two. I keep checking daily.
If it's too complicated to sew for my skills I already have plans to make the frame and keep it in the garage. As for a cover I have a lot of old sheets for the kids to play with. I'll just throw in a bag of clothes pins and let them figure it out. 
Thanks for sharing.
great thank you
I have been looking for a diy of a tee pee and I was happy to see yours. Can't wait to see part 2 I pinned it to my Pintrest
Nice idea, the kids will love to hang around.
~Aansy Stone
I'll just throw in a bag of clothes pins and let them figure it out.
Thanks for sharing.
that's just to cool! my daughter would love me, if i make one for her….
I linked to your tutorial on my blog – thanks for sharing!
doro K.
look so fun. i wanna make one for myself
Thanks so much for this tutorial, it was really good! I made one for my little guy on the weekend
http://maxandmeblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/diy-teepee-pinterest-challenge-4.html
Hi just wondering what the overall cost of supplies might run? I'm looking to do an indoor variation for a reading teepee in my son's room!
Not sure courtney, my sister bought the supplies. probably the most expensive is the dowels. You may need to call your lumber supply yard or hardware store for a quote.
We used an old sheet for the fabric, so that part was free.
We went out to a home improvement supply store in the US and they don't have the size dowels your pattern calls for – we will keep looking! This is so cute and easy I don't want to pass it up.
How annoying. Can anyone in the US offer a suggestion?
x cinti
Try using PVC pipes. They are light weight and can be drilled just like the wood poles.
That’s a great idea, and maybe less expensive than wooden dowels?
I'm trying it today with some dowels that are slightly larger and were purchased in the US. We will see how it goes. I will let you know.
Thanks so much for putting this tutorial up – it worked perfectly, and we are now the extremely proud owners of the best teepee in town!