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
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
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 is such a cute idea! Thank you for posting this, I may just have to make one for myself.
http://aftermylatte.blogspot.com/
This looks so cute 🙂 I remember making tents like this out of my mum’s clothes drying rack! This looks way cooler x