We love a-frame tents, so we invited Rubyellen to share her method for making your own. Are you excited? Here’s how the magic happens-
1. From the top of each moulding, measure and mark 6″ down with your pencil.
2. With your drill and 3/4″ spade bit, drill a hole at your mark. Try to center the hole on your moulding. These holes will be for the top of your A-frame tent.
3. From the opposite end of your moulding, measure and mark 1.5″ down with your pencil.
4. With your drill and 3/4″ spade bit, drill a hole at your mark. Try to center the hole on your moulding. These holes will be for the bottom of your A-frame tent.
Making the cover: Since the cover is made using a vintage crocheted cloth, what you have readily available to use may be a different measurement. The key size to get your tent cover is about 44″ – 51″ in length and about 80″ – 84″ in width, so depending on the size of your crocheted cloth, your crocheted cloth to panel fabric proportion may vary from the one used.
In fact, on our tent, the crocheted cover is slightly larger than the fabric panel by an inch or so on each side. If you have a crocheted cover large enough and don’t need a fabric panel, an option would be to fold the bottom of your crocheted cover to create a panel in which to feed your dowel through. Be creative, there are a lot of fun possibilities to use for a tent cover!
(Hint: A twin sized sheet fits this tent frame almost perfectly!)
1. Cut the fabric to the size needed. In our case, it was 14″ x 53″. For the 14″ side, fold over 1/2″ and press, and fold over 1/2″ again and press. Pin in place. Repeat with the opposite side.
Do this for both panels. Then, use a sewing machine to stitch the hem. With the 53″ side, place the right sides together and stitch using a 1/2″ seam. Repeat for second panel. Turn inside out and press.
2. Place the long side of crocheted cloth and fabric together with right sides together, pin in place, and stitch together using a 1/2″ seam. Repeat with second panel for the opposite side.
3. Group dowels into pairs and line up the top holes. Push dowel through the holes of the top moulding (6″ down from top). The hole should have a pretty tight grip and keep the dowel in place. Repeat with the dowels for the opposite end. Drape your tent cover on top.
4. Grab another dowel and push through the holes on the bottom of one side and feed through the bottom panel and connect the dowel to the opposite end. Repeat for second dowel on the opposite side. Open up the tent cover to desired width and height of opening. Grab a pillow, blanket, go underneath and enjoy!
TIPS: For a little extra detail and to keep the tent cover taut, I fed twine through some holes of the cover and tied it to the legs of the frame. This helps prevent the tent cover from sagging. Also, if you are using this on wood floors the legs may have a hard time staying up. I find that if you put your tent on top of a blanket it will help it from just falling flat.
Again, how you make this tent cover will vary depending on the size of the crocheted cover you find and decide to use. I just happen to come across a cover that was almost the exact size I needed, so I didn’t have to really piece together too much.
Nevertheless, it will look beautiful with lots of little crocheted pieces put together or even with just one large piece as a cover. Just remember, have fun making it and after you will have a special little hideaway to enjoy!
Thanks so much, Ruby! We hope you guys have fun building your own tents. xo, elsie
107 Comments
These are really cute. Will a small air mattress fit in it? I am thinking we are going to use this for my daughters slumber party.
Hi,
I’m not sure if you care but I was googling how to make play tents (I saw your blog on it before) and noticed that someone is selling plans on etsy on how to make a play tent, and are using your photos (and possibly your content too).
Here’s the link if you’d like to know:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/boutiquedamour?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=656752676
Kristin
What a great project! Our children learned a lot from this. We went to a fabric store in our neighborhood and they got to pick their very own pattern! Their grandmother hemmed the edges with her old Singer! We even added fairy to the top portion! Thank you.
I’ll make one for myself!
Excellent idea I really like it 🙂
This is so pretty!
Kt x
www.katiescreative.blogspot.com
Brill! I’m wondering if I can get some waterproof fabric to use for a cheeky outdoor hideaway.Rx
http://sandersonsmithstory.blogspot.co.uk/
Used curtain panels would be a great way to find a similar look!! Cool. 🙂
the kids would love one of these! there’s nothing quite like the comfort and mystery of an inside tent for them!
I feel like I need to make one of these for myself and those days where I just want to hide under a quilt and read a book..
Adorable but gotta say not as lovely as these on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/103972550/kids-a-frame-ruffle-teepee-play-tent
WHAT A COOL IDEA !!!!!!! Suz
I love this! Awesome!
www.leslimarie.com
ahh, where is the “coordinating fabric” from? I love it!
What a wonderful “den” for the kids. (or me!)
So fun! Great step-by-step tutorial
This is such a cute idea! Thank you for posting this, I may just have to make one for myself.
http://aftermylatte.blogspot.com/
I love this tent. It’s beautiful and perfect for a day out reading somewhere where there is peace and quiet. with minimal noises, or for my cousins to have their imaginary world lol.
Rejuvenate Vita
“Unique-Styled Gifts At Affordable Prices”
www.rejuvenatevita.com
love love love love oh and i love.
This looks so cute 🙂 I remember making tents like this out of my mum’s clothes drying rack! This looks way cooler x
I always love your DIYs, but this is one that I HAVE to make! I’ll post it on my blog once I do!! I just did a blogpost with my latest thrifted finds, and some handmade embroidery I’ve been doing. Stop by and have a look!
xoxo
www.prettylittlefawn.blogspot.com
This is absolutely perfect and so easy! Who’d have thought?!
This is just too cute! It makes me think of my childhood days of making a tent in our bedroom and spending the night under it with teddies and books and a torch to read ^_^
Oh my goodness how cute is this???!!! So very cool ladies!
Trish
www.jellybonesblog.blogspot.com
this is just lovely. the lace is a gorgeous addition. well done!
This reminds me when I used to make forts in my living room when I was little. Mine where made of blanket, but they were pretty good. www.shopperstherapy.blogspot.com
Love this! cant wait to give it a go.
Zoe
http://gypsiesister.blogspot.co.uk
Great 🙂
This is a great inexpensive gift idea for little ones on birthdays or christmas.I have a 3 and 4 year old boy and girl and I plan on making a his and hers….great tutorial cant wait to make it 🙂
Ahhh how fantastical! LOVE xx
www.dearmisspretty.blogspot.com
beautiful!! I repin it!! It will love to my son!
This is a great idea! I will be making one for my nephew for christmas. He is a little whirlwind – so I am thinking that I will add a second panel of material across the bottom to prevent the slippage you mentioned. I think the tent will hold up better and still be able to fold away, no problem!
great post!!! nice idea
kisses
http://blogcashmeremafia.blogspot.com
I’m so glad you invited Rubyellen because if I’m not mistaken, I think she’s the one who started the diy tent. I remember seeing it a long time ago and made one myself. Since then, I’ve seen a lot of them blogged and pinned. Thanks, Rubyellen, you obviously inspired a lot of people!
I love it! The photos are great too! Could make a boyish one for the husband – he’s very child-like!
ooohhh it’s so cute!!! i love it!!!
http://thestelstyle.com/
Beautiful!
This is such a cute idea! Love your blog 🙂
http://lucyvictoriajackson.blogspot.co.uk/
Wow, I so wanna make this! I can live in it! 😀
The cutest idea for kids ever! Wish I had a little girl 😉
x
Sabrina
http://apixiesviewonfashion.com
toooo cute! Ugh. I want a tent like that for my room.
www.jolenesblog.com
I adore this blog, and this is totally the best thing posted on here ever!!! 🙂
From someone who loves naps, this would be a napping haven.
Catherine Denton
I like your tent, since I do not have time to have an outdoor activity with my kids. Therefore, I am going to try making this tent. Hope I can make it perfectly.
Cutest idea ever! Love this DIY!
cool tent.. so love it. 🙂
http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com/
OH WHY? 🙁 Im too old now, but I really want to make this but for me!! When i was a child i had to use sheets to make a tent!
I’d love to make a non-crochet version for my boys. so cute!
So great! I think this is a MUST make for my niece 🙂
I’ve been wanting to make one of these for my neice’s sleepovers . Thanks for the only instructions that actually make sense! Off to pick up a spade bit and wash a vintage sheet for mine:)
Will be doing!! My daughter will love this!!
~Sacha
Oh gosh. I would take my laptop inside and work there all day…with a picnic lunch.
Oh my word, that is just too cute! I want one for my dorm room!
xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
Lovely
But I don’t know if you noticed but the child is like: “can I read in peace please? Come one, take the camera elsewhere”
Lx Hugs
http:\www.lxhugsw.blogspot.pt
I love this! It is a great little nook and looks so great too! Where is the age cutoff for something like this 🙂
Such a cute idea! Check out my blog: http://thechicstreetblog.blogspot.com/
Oh, my little guy would be thrilled!! 🙂
Love this! Tweeted and pinned!! Haha! Such a cute idea!
mintclothingcompany.blogspot.com
Xx,
Jess
Awesome… I don’t have any kids but I still want one!
Much Love
Anie
http://www.thelifeofanie.blogspot.ca
Love it. I’ve been wanting to do this since you made your first one a couple of years back. Thank you for the instructions 🙂
Tent looks great I bet kids just love to have there own little space.
So cute! I’d make this for myself, not just kids, haha 🙂
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
This is SO cute! Great tutorial!
I want to do this and spend the day cuddling and reading with my hunny!
Stephanie
owlsinmyheart.blogspot.com
Is it weird that I want to make one of these for my dog? She’s always sleeping under a bed or under the recliner with a blanket hanging down. She’s kind of like my child, so I’m pretty sure I need to make this for her.
Such a fun idea for kids and adults alike. Who doesn’t like a good old fort, right?
– tianna 🙂
I have the same scissors as you guys!! This is such a fun project!
My son would love it!
http://mykitschworld.blogspot.com.es
This is so cute! It looks like it can be a fun little playground for kids. Nice idea! 🙂
This is so cute, great for a kids room! x
http://www.jenventure.blogspot.co.uk
that is so pretty! I think i need to make one of these for my son for sure. I have been eying some vintage blue curtains that I haven’t bought because I had no real use for them… looks like i found one 🙂
Love DIY posts – this is awesome, thanks!!
xx,
Jinna
http://greaseandglamour.com/
SUPER COOL!!!
I love this so much!!! Need to save this for when I have kids!!!
-Miranda
http://paperthoughtsfabricdreams.com
OMG I love this!
I’m not really sure what practical purpose this tent has, but sometimes beautiful things are just there to be beautiful.
http://fashionananthropologicalpointofview.blogspot.ca/
This is so fresh! I love the fabric choices.
The most adorable thing I’ve see all day! I’d love one of these to do all my photo-editing in, it looks so cosy!
Kelly
http://pixelbaby.net/
That’s so awesome! I would have loooved one of these when I was a kid 🙂 Thanks for the tutorial! <3
Rory
http://www.wearaboutsblog.com/
So cute!
I LOVE THIS <3
Val
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
This is fantastic! Bookmarking this one for a future project. Thanks for sharing 🙂
When I was a kid, we used blankets over the side of our ping pong table and slept under it. That was a lot of fun and big but this looks cooler.
Ah, tents have a special place in my heart. Thanks for sharing!
This is so cute! What a fabulous idea. Thanks for sharing!
I wanted one of this all my childhood! I love them!
http://mindincolors.blogspot.com.ar/
It looks so adorable! Love the material of the cover
http://bravebrunette.blogspot.com
Aw! this is just too cute.
Great idea for kids! Super cute too!
http://rivercitysammon.com
W O W
Why didn’t I think of this! Love how easy and personal it is… I can’t wait to try it with my 3yo soon! Thanks for sharing.
A six year old me would love this!!!
http://natashafatah.com
This is SO cool! What a great idea!
This is such a great example of how to make a simple tent oh so chic. I love this!! The Tutorial is so great too.
That looks so difficult! High level DIY! 🙂
My niece would absolutely love this!
Amazing – so beautiful!
Super :). I like it!
I love this tent. I have used Rubyellen’s tutorial to make a couple for gifts for friends kids. But the crochet cover is so fresh and fun. All I need is a little sister for my son now. 😉
This is so cute! I especially love that it is made out of a lovely old vintage lace tablecloth!
Such a cute idea, I’ll have to make it for my 7 years old book lover, she’d love it… thanks for sharing 🙂
So cute, unfortunately I don’t have kids but maybe I build one for myself 😛
www.creativityandchocolate.blogspot.com
I love this!!
door251.com
I made two for my girls using her tutorial but I didn’t make the fabric fit very well, which makes a huge difference in the integrity of the tent. Love this tutorial!
I love this tent. It is perfect for a kid or a quiet reading spot!
Carlee
Almost Endearing
Love!!!
neat idea for the kids. love the crochet material!