How to Sew a Shade Tent for Baby

Everyone knows the hazards of too much sun exposure especially for babies. You can make a simple shade tent for your baby. The tent requires a simple straight stitch and takes very little time to make. Before you know it, you can have your baby sitting under his very own shade tent.

Things You'll Need

• 2 yards of fabric
• Scissors
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• 5 dowel rods, ¾ inch in diameter, 36-inches long
• 4 eyelets, ¼ inch in diameter
• 1 yard white cording

Instructions

1. Cut a 60-inch by 41-inch rectangle of fabric. Also cut a 4-inch by 41-inch rectangle.

2. Make a 1-inch hem on both short ends of the large piece of fabric. This forms the hem of the tent. On the long edges, fold under ½ inch and press. Mark another 1 ½-inch fold and press again. Stitch close to the edge to form a rod pocket on the front and back side of the baby tent.

3. Create the top rod pocket from the long narrow strip of fabric. Fold under a ½-inch seam allowance on the long edge. Fold under 2-inch seams on the narrow ends. Stitch across the narrow ends.

4. Fold the long narrow strip in two lengthwise. Press the long strip. Fold the large piece of fabric in two. Press the large piece. Put the long narrow strip in place along the top center fold you made in the large piece of fabric. Stitch it in place along both long edges. The top dowel rod pocket is complete.

5. Attach an eyelet on either side of the top rod pocket. For ease in construction, insert the dowel rod into the rod pocket before you attach the last eyelet.

6. Cut two 18-inch pieces of cording. Lace them through the eyelets and tie them securely around the top dowel rod. Slip the other four dowel rods into the four rod pockets.

7. Set the tent up on either grass or sand. The A-shaped baby shade tent is sturdy especially if you push the dowels into the ground. Remove the four legs and roll the tent around the top dowel rod when not in use.