How to Make a Wigwam or Teepee. DIY Tutorial

Fabric Wigwam Tutorial. Make a Wigwam or Teepee for indoor and outdoor fun for kids.

For my Nephew's third birthday I made him a fabric wigwam with a floor quilt. I wanted it to be big enough for him and his little brother to play in for years so I made it reasonably big. It took me a while to work out the pattern and how I could make it look cute, safe and secure. The hardest choice was what fabric, in the end I went for a stone and navy check canvas I bought from my local curtain fabric store. 

For the ribbon threaded thru the eyelets and used for tie backs I used Jane Means lovely Vintage denim blue stripe ribbon. If you are going to make this yourself I would advise going for a canvas or heavy weight woven cotton and remember due to the way the fabric pattern pieces are cut the pattern will be sideways so ideally it is best to go for a pattern that looks good in any direction. Due to the way the pattern is cut, there is no need to hem the base of the wigwam as it uses the selvedge edge.

You will need...

    all purpose sewing thread
    eyelets
    3.15 m canvas cotton check (Width 137cm (54") wide)
    fabric scissors
    12 eyelets (20mm)
    blue denim style ribbon (15mm)
    fabric scissors
    4 bamboo poles
    upholstery binding
    10mm wide bias binding
    iron on interfacing

How-to step by step...

Step 1

Above is an illustration of the final measurements of my wigwam

Step 2

Start by cutting out all the pattern pieces, using the pattern template above.

Step 3

Place the two half triangles right side together, starting at the top of the triangles, stitch together using a 1.5cm seam allowance on tight tension for 30cm, reverse stitch to secure then continue stitching seam allowance on a loose tension to the end. (this will enable you to unpick the opening later)

Step 4

Press seam open

Step 5

Starting 30cm down from top of triangle, top stitch each side of the seam with a 1cm seam allowance. Secure top of what will become the opening with a line of stitching

Step 6

Iron a rectangle of interfacing to the inside of your front piece where you will apply the eyelets. Following the manufactures guidelines, apply eyelets to the front piece.

Step 7

Thread eyelets with ribbon

Step 8

Place front piece and side piece right sides together, pin a 50cm length of ribbon between pieces so 25cm of ribbon is on the inside and 25cm is on the outside about 50cm up from hem. Stitch together using a 1cm seam allowance.

Step 9

Press seam open

Step 10

Place front piece and side piece right sides together, pin a 50cm length of ribbon between pieces so 25cm of ribbon is on the inside and 25cm is on the outside about 50cm up from hem. Stitch together using a 1cm seam allowance.Press seam open.

Step 11

Place side piece and back piece right sides together, stitch together using a 1cm seam allowance. 

Step 12

Press seam open.

Step 13

Iron a rectangle of interfacing to the inside of your side and back pieces where you will apply the eyelets. With the right sides of the wigwam facing you. Following the manufactures guidelines, apply one eyelet 3cm up from hem in centre of each side piece and back piece. (this will allow you to tie the floor quilt to the wigwam)

Step 14

Bind the top of the wigwam with 10mm binding, for added security.

Step 15

Fold the wide binding in half, and place over the side seam, so the seam allowance of the side pieces is incased between the binding. Edge stitch the binding in place. Stitch the opening at the bottom of the bias binding closed. (this is where you will insert your bamboo poles later).

Step 16

Fold the wide binding in half, and place over the side seam, so the seam allowance of the side pieces is incased between the binding. Edge stitch the binding in place. Stitch the opening at the bottom of the bias binding closed. (this is where you will insert your bamboo pole later). Using a quick unpick, make a small insert in the side of the binding and pull the ribbon end through.

Step 17

Fold the wide binding in half, and place over the side seam, so the seam allowance of the side pieces is incased between the binding. Edge stitch the binding in place. Stitch the opening at the bottom of the bias binding closed. (this is where you will insert your bamboo pole later). Using a quick unpick, make a small insert in the side of the binding and pull the ribbon end through.

Step 18

Your wigwam should now look like the above illustration

Step 19

Place the open side piece and open back piece right sides together, stitch together using a 1cm seam allowance.

Step 20

Fold the wide binding in half, and place over the side seam, so the seam allowance of the side pieces is incased between the binding. Edge stitch the binding in place. Stitch the opening at the bottom of the bias binding closed. (this is where you will insert your bamboo pole later).

Step 21

Insert you bamboo poles.

Step 22

Using a quick unpick, unpick the front seam up to the straight stitch, Tie back the front opening curtains using the ribbon inserted into the side seams.