How to Make an Outdoor Teepee
A teepee is a conical tent historically used as shelter by the Plains Indians. Today, teepees are used by historical re-enactors and by individuals with an interest in the lore and legends of Native Americans. A teepee can be a spacious and comfortable shelter for campers. Teepees are available from commercial tent makers but can also be constructed by the do-it-yourselfer.
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Things You'll Need
- 8-oz. canvas, 15 by 30 feet
- Scissors or knife
- Sewing machine
- 20 tent pegs
- 1 by 12 inch long dowels
- 20 teepee poles, 18 feet long
Instructions
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1
Cut a half-circle out of 8-oz. canvas for the teepee cover. The size of this half-circle determines the size of the teepee. The radius of the half-circle, the distance from the center of the straight part of the half-circle to the edge of the rounded edge of the half-circle is the height of the teepee. The length of the straight edge of the half-circle is the circumference of the teepee. A common size is a radius about 15 feet with a 30-foot circumference. This results in a teepee about 14 to 15 feet in diameter when erected using teepee poles that are 18 feet long.
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2
Cut door openings from both ends of the straight edge of the half-circle. These openings are about 18 inches from the end to place them about the same height when the teepee is erected. The straight portion of the half-circle is brought together as a seam when the teepee is erected, so make sure the door halves will match up. Create patterns of two hole sets identically placed on each end of the straight edge. The holes should be about 10 inches apart with each set placed about 1 foot apart. Cut the holes through the canvas with scissors. When erected, the edges of the teepee are overlapped and a wooden dowel is inserted through the holes of both layers of the teepee.
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3
Remove a 2-foot-wide half-circle of material from the center of the straight side of the canvas cover for a smoke hole. Attach the smoke flaps, a triangular piece about 5 feet long, to each side of the cover adjacent to the smoke hole. Stitch a pocket into the end of the triangular smoke flap to hold the end of a teepee pole for adjustment. Stitch loops, placed every 3 feet, for tent stakes around the round circumference of the teepee.
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4
Cut teepee poles. If the height of the teepee will be 15 feet, the teepee poles need to be about 18 feet long. Traditionally lodge pole pine is used for teepee poles because of its straight trunk. Other straight-limbed trees can be substituted or 2 by 2 inch lumber can be used although it will not look as rustic.
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Tips & Warnings
A 12-foot tall teepee can be built, according to Kudu.net. The straight side of the half circle would be cut to 24 feet with the radius of the cut 12 feet. Use 14-foot teepee poles. The other construction methods would be identical to the larger teepee.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit teepee image by Anthony Child from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Okay now George & Shelly a/k/a Cat Dancing are not only into rain dancing but making a teepee. We learn a lot from Dr. Quinn & Cloud Dancing on the show. At least it is constructive learning for them & keeps them out of trouble. Need to find a Indian name for George. He doesn't like my idea of "Too Pretty To Be A Boy." Needs a stronger man type name. I loved to study Indians in grade school & how they lived. They had very good ideas of ecology, protecting the enviroment & respect for their "spirits." We could learn a lot of practical things from them. It is a shame how they have been shoved to the backwoods & face a poor quality of life on the reservations. So sad.
