help making teepee advice needed please

stas4949

My son wants a teepee for his 9th birthday and I'm hoping to make it myself as the ones that I've seen are too small for him and a lot of money considering what they are!

I have a rough idea of how to make it, 4 triangles and one split triangle to make an opening all sewn together and using thick bamboo as supports...

however I am unsure of what material I should be using and where would be the best place to get it from.... he wants to camp out overnight in the garden in it!

I have a sewing machine, which I am yet to use, am I being too over ambitious?????

Any help and advice would be gratefully received....

I have seen some waterproof canvas on ebay, 10 mtres for £35 incuding p&p is this a good price? and how hard would it be to sew on a machine?

hope someone has some ideas and suggestions...

many thanks in advance..... :T

djtonyb

Is this of any use?

http://www.shelterpub.com/_shelter/www_teepee.html

sooz

or the no sew option....

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10841

Sarahjovi

Hi,

I sure waterproof canvas would be fine, or as an alternative, you could use ripstop nylon (kite material), which would be lighterweight (for storage) and it may be easier to sew! I had a quick search on ebay and there was some waterproof available.

Happy sewing

Sarah:D

Doozergirl

OMG! You've just taken me back 25 years to when my best friend had a teepee. I swear all I wanted to do was play in that thing and it must have only come out about three times. I can still remember the colour and the pattern.

I don't care what my son wants for his 7th birthday - he's getting a teepee!

sooz

yup - me too.

guess what the baby is getting for his first birthday!!!!!!

I like the cowboy ones on fleabay.

stas4949

thanks all for your ideas....

had a brain wave in the night, (it has been known to happen! :rolleyes: ), as it probably doesn't need to be fully waterproof, as he probably wouldn't want to camp in the rain, so here's my idea...... wait for it...... I'm going to use a heavy duty dust sheet.... you know the huge ones as they're fairly cheap and should do the job. Then I will buy some fabric paints for him to decorate it with! I think this will work fine and should be minimal cost.... I know its for his birthday but he wants a new bike aswell (well second hand!).

It was the cowboy print one he saw at a posh garden centre (you know the sort) but it was way too small for him. He knows I'm making it and is getting fully involved so that gives us something to do indoors while its raining!

I've bought both my boys up to know the value of things, and if they want something that we can't afford new then they are more than happy to have it second hand! or hand made!

Going to go out today and buy everything I need!

thanks :T