STEP BY STEP

1 Cut the fabric according to the diagram. You should have four triangular panels, each 100cm wide x 140cm high, with the top peak cut 5cm wide. You will also need two front flap panels 56cm wide at the base (includes 6cm for the seam) and 140cm high x 8.5cm wide (also includes 6cm for the seam) at top.
2 For the front flap, fold under 1cm and iron. Fold a further 5cm and press. Machine from the top down 40cm along the 5cm crease. Sew the length of the fold, either side of the centre fold.
3 To decorate the panels, make nine triangles in the contrast fabric, following the illustration for folding. Position one triangle across the top and at the opening for reinforcement. Mark points either side of the front opening at 25cm intervals then cut four pieces of velcro 3cm long. On one side, machine on a triangle at the marked 25cm points, placing a velcro piece on the top. Cut and sew four strips for the other side and attach the velcro at one end. Remember to stitch the velcro twice for added support. Attach the tab (with the velcro at one end) under the triangles, while sewing on the opposite side.
4 Photocopy the eagle, enlarging the picture 150%. On one panel, lightly pencil on the painted pattern, following the measurements on the sketch. Uisng the waterproof marker, outline the pencilled design. You can then layer each panel over this and trace through, varying a little for the panels (the front opening does not have the centre diamond and the two panels on either side of the front have the eagle and extra diamond in the centre). The paint should not be diluted with water or it will run. Allow to dry completely.
5 Put the wrong sides together as for a French seam. Sew each panel with a 0.5cm seam allowance. Iron flat. Before sewing the casings, you need to sew the hems, both top and bottom and pressing the hem to the inside. For the bottom, iron under 0.5cm then fold again 1.5cm and machine. The turn under for the top will need to be a little smaller as this is quite shaped. A few knicks in the first fold will help.
6 Sew the casings for the dowel 3cm in from the pressed seam, double stitching top and bottom. At each seam on the bottom hem, sew 10cm lengths of elastic securely. Fold in half and sew to form a loop. Give the tee-pee a good press.
7 The dowel rods for the base have a loop of elastic, 10cm tacked around the cut edge and wrapped in duct tape. Drill a small hole in the 5 x 2cm upright dowels 26cm from the top. Thread the rope through the holes in the upright struts and tie a knot fairly loosely until all the bottom struts are secure. Thread the large dowel through the casing, rotating each into position so the dowel fans evenly at the top overlap. Loop the elastic of the bottom dowel to each upright dowel, then loop the upright dowel elastic twice underneath to secure them in place (you will need to people to do this).
8 Finally, tighten the rope around the top and wrap once more before firmly tying a knot. For safety reason, don’t let too much rope hang down. Attach feathers for decoration.

Diagrams

Materials

5 dowel rods 20mm diameter x 1800mm long
5 dowel rods 16mm diameter x 900mm long
Cotton drill fabric 140cm wide x 2.7 metres
Rust canvas 20cm x 112cm wide
Velcro 12cm x 2.5cm wide
White elastic 2 metres
1 x packet upholstery tacks
Duct tape
Thin rope or cord 2 metres
Waterproof black marker
Red acrylic paint 250ml
Feathers
TOOLS
Matching sewing threads
Paintbrushes
2b pencil
Tape measure
Hammer

Total Cost
Teepee cost us $75.65 to make