Tutorial: Children's Play Tent

Next in my series of things I have always wanted to buy out of {you know where} catalog, but never did:  The Playhouse Tent! 

Let me just start by telling you that I almost had to admit myself into a mental institution over this thing.  You see that top "tent" part? 
...the cone? 
2 days.....
2 days of thinking and hurting the brain. 
I knew it had to be simple, I just needed a formula...but which one?  Where did I get such a formula?
I made THREE failed patterns all with separate failed formulas.
Finally, a friend's husband {Hi Blake} came right over and had it figured out in about 20 minutes....
You see, he went to school...and listened  :)
Anyway...It has to do something with Pi, and not the kind you eat.  I won't bore you with the details, but I do know that I have all the measurements you need to make one just like the one I made....and with no headaches.


You will need:
2 twin flat sheets  {matching, for side walls}
1 twin fitted sheet (or flat)  {for tent top}
1 queen flat sheet {for scallop}
3 packages of 1/2" double fold bias tape
35"-36" hula hoop

Start by cutting your pattern piece for the tent top.  Cut a string to 30".  Take the string and hold it on a scrap piece of fabric to make the pattern.  Hold the pencil at the end of the 30" length and pull taut. Make a mark to remember where you started.  Holding the pencil, swing the pencil, keeping it taut and draw a line (it will be arced) to the other 30" line.  Your arc will be 28.75" in length (run a fabric tape along the arc line to make sure right)

Now take the 2 flat sheets and sew 2 sides together.  Think about that the large hem that is normally at the top of the bed sheet when made, is going to be the bottom hem of your tent.

Fold the sheet in half to make it easier.  Measure up from the large hem 7 feet. 
Cut off the excess.  Set aside until we need it again

Take your triangle shaped pattern piece and cut 4 identical pieces out of the twin fitted sheet (or the third flat sheet, if that's what you bought)

Sew 2 of the triangles together

Now take the top strap (made one by using a 9"x2" piece of fabric, stitched RST and turned right side out and pressed) and place it right over the seam you just made.  pin the next triangle down, making sure to sew on strap.  Sew the next triangle in the same manner, making sure not to catch strap

All pieces sewn and strap is lookin' good.  Set aside until we need it again

Take the queen sheet you are using for the scallop and fold it squarely and straight so it is easier to cut.  You want to cut the longest side (102") to get the maximum length.  Cut 3 pieces 9" wide.  You end up with 3 9" wide and 102" long pieces.  Trim off the large 4" hem (the one that is normally at the top of the sheet)  So now your piece of fabric is 98" long. Your scallop needs to be 120" long, so take one of the other 9" piece you cut and cut off 22" to attach it to this one. 

Make two of these.  You will be layering them together.

Take one of your 120" x 9" pieces and start folding it accordion style.  Make sure to press each fold so it keeps its measurements.  Take care to keep the measurement at 3" every time you fold as seen above 

I folded a piece of paper at 3" to match my fabric and then made my own scallop as a guide to cut.  Now I own Gingher scissors and they had no problem cutting thru all these folds.  Just make sure your scissors are sharp enough to make this cut.  Also, make sure the orientation of your fabric is the same on both scallops once you cut them both.

Once both scallops are cut, lay them on top of each other with wrong sides together.  There will be some differences in the scallop, so just trim where needed and start pinning the bias tape on, taking care as you get to the points.  I found it easier to open up the tape and get it close and then close the tape back over and pin.

Scallop all sewn up...Progress!

Pin the scallop to the tent top, right sides together, matching up the seams.  I made a decision as to what was going to be the back and front at this point and stuck with it

Sew using a 5"8 seam to allow for room in the future

Now, take the sewn up tent top that has the scallop now sewn to it and place it right side down on top of the tent walls that you had sewn together earlier.  Again, make sure to line up the back wall seam to the back tent top seam here.  You will not pin it to the very top.  Use a scrap piece of fabric cut to 5.5" as a marker.  Take that marker and measure from the top of the tent wall down and pin the tent top there.  Pin all the way around, using this method.  I pinned about 1/4 way around to one side, then I went around to the front and started pinning.  In the front , you want to gather up the fabric a little to create a drape look.  In the measurement( 120") I deliberately made it a little longer so we can have that drape effect.

Here is the tent top fully pinned to the tent walls with the 5.5" excess

(will be used for the hoop pocket)

Now, you will be able to use the original seam and use it as a guide to sew now.  Sew just inside that original seam.  I sewed about 1/4 inch away from it.  It is very important to go slow and check under all the fabric to make sure you are not catching fabric that should not be sewn.  Again, slow and check!

Turn right side out to check your work.....we're getting there!

Turn back inside out and find the seam you just sewed

Iron that 5.5" hem under a 1/2" and then fold it over and using the stitches you just sewed as a guide, pin it to the same seam allowance (the 5/8" one)

Here we go again, sew in between these two stitches.  Again, making sure not to catch anything under that shouldn't be there...take your time

Take your hula hoop and cut it to open it up

Fish the hula hoop thru the pocket you just made.  Once you get it all the way in, grab some duct tape and tape it back together

Here's the view from inside looking up

Stand back and admire your work

I know this is a long tutorial. There are several steps that require some time.  But, I really want you guys to make it!!!!  As I was designing and learning it, I thought it would be perfect for a sew-along.  I can break it down into several weeks that make it easier, and motivating!  Is anyone interested in that?  If there is enough interest, I would love to do it.  Just leave a comment if you'd like to! 

   

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