Free Pattern Month Day 11 - Cakies: The A-Frame Tent

May 9, 2011



Hello Monday! We have a great gal to start off a fresh week of Free Patterns! 


Please welcome Rubyellen from Cakies!



(Today's featured pattern after intro)


I was introduced to Rubyellen's blog a very long time ago! Back when she only had one toddler and a very very small newborn;) 


Now she has THREE with one more on the way! My how times have changed!




What caught my eye was her ethereal photography and adorable softies! Her life is like something out of a fairytale, whimsical and warm.

All of her projects and posts come from a place where crafting and motherhood intersect. She crafts to make her life more beautiful and homey. You can definitely feel the love for her family in her posts! Some publisher really needs to contact her! I can just see a book featuring her family oriented crafts!
 I love reading about her thrifting finds! See the Vintage Here, Vintage There series. It will make you run to your nearest thrift store and start finding some treasures! Wish Rubyellen and I lived closer. I'd go on a thrift hunt with her any day! But Rubyellen is also fantastic at making her own clothes!
And clothing for her sweet little girls!
Says Rubyellen, "I love making things and this blog originally intended to just document our everyday crafting, but it has turned into so much more. It has become a family journal of sorts, more rather a personal journal, that documents how I try to enjoy each aspect of my life and how I can love God through it. I once was a teacher, but went into early retirement because it has always been my dream to be a stay home mom."
She's also super talented at hand embroidery!
 Rubyellen's life certainly does seem like a dream! Check out her etsy shop for a taste of it!
 Thank you Rubyellen for joining me in Free Pattern Month on Grosgrain! I'm completely delighted to share your inspiration with my readers.
Rubyellen, please take it away....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello Grosgrain readers!!! I am Rubyellen from Cakies and I am delighted to be able to share with you a fun tutorial on how to make the A-frame tent. I am sure your kids will be squealing in delight once they see what you whipped out for them!
the A-frame tent tutorial

Drawn pattern for reference:
a-frame pattern
Materials for the A-frame:
4- 1'' x 2'' x 48'' whitewood moulding
1- 3/4'' x 48'' poplar dowel
drill with a 3/4'' spade bit
measuring tape
pencil (marker)
(I was going to use the twine to make sure the mouldings stayed in place, but I no longer needed to because the hole already had such a tight grip on the dowel).
the A-frame tent tutorial
1. From the top of each of the 4 mouldings, measure and mark 6'' down with your pencil.
the A-frame tent tutorial
2. With your drill and 3/4'' spade bit, drill a hole at your mark. Try to center the hole on your moulding.
the A-frame tent tutorial
the A-frame tent tutorial
3. Place 2 mouldings on top of each other, make sure the holes are lined up.
the A-frame tent tutorial
4. Push dowel through the holes of the two mouldings. The hole should have a pretty tight grip and keep the dowel in place.
the A-frame tent tutorial
5. Repeat step 4 and put together the other side with the two remaining mouldings.
the A-frame tent tutorial
Materials for tent cover:
- fabric large enough to cover frame (approx. 46'' x 85.5'' un-hemmed; 44'' x 83.5'' hemmed)
- coordinating thread
- elastic
- scissors
the A-frame tent tutorial
1. Hem the perimeter of the rectangular fabric using a straight stitch with a 1/2'' hem. Desired size of the cover is 44'' x 83.5''.
the A-frame tent tutorial
2. Cut 4- 5'' inch elastic strips.
the A-frame tent tutorial
3. Fold elastic over and pin in place at each corner of the tent cover.
the A-frame tent tutorial
4. Sew elastic onto the corner of the tent cover. Repeat with the remaining 3 corners.
the A-frame tent tutorial
the A-frame tent tutorial
5. Drape cover over the A-frame and loop elastic to the bottom of wooden tent leg.
the A-frame tent tutorial
6. Arrange and straighten fabric cover. Then, spread frame to desired height and width of tent opening. Call your kids over and enjoy!!!
the A-frame tent tutorial
This tent can easily be taken apart and stored, since there are no screws or nails involved. In addition, the tent cover is easy enough to recreate in different patterns. It is a great place for reading, napping, and pretending, but most importantly making memories! I am already thinking this will be my go-to birthday gift as I am sure this would be loved very much. Don't you think?!!
Thank you Kathleen for having me as your guest! I look forward to your many more posts that will continue to inspire and awe all of us in the blogosphere!!! 

Thank you Rubyellen for sharing another whimsical pattern with us! Your blog makes me want to drop everything and make a tent for my daughter's bedroom or a costume for their dress up chest. Your life is always inspiring me. Congratulations on your newest addition to come:)

Stay tuned tomorrow for Jaime & Jacinda of Prudent Baby!

Spread the word! It's a 30 day FREE for all!



37 {comments}:

BluBabesCreate said... Best Blogger Tips

This is a must for long hot summer days!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this tent. I may have to make one for my nieces!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks so much for this tutorial/pattern! I have really really been wanted to make my kiddos one.

felicia said... Best Blogger Tips

I'm obsessed with little tents! I can't wait to make this!

Sasha said... Best Blogger Tips

I want to make a taller version of this with no fabric cover and beans growing up it.

Maureen Cracknell Handmade said... Best Blogger Tips

This is AWESOME!!!

Amy M. said... Best Blogger Tips

Am I reading this right that you could probably take a twin-size sheet and cut it down to size?

-Amy
Crafting by Candlelight

Rubyellen said... Best Blogger Tips

amy- yes! i actually used a vintage twin bed sheet for the project. i failed to mention that in the tutorial. good catch!

thank you kathleen for having me!!!! we have both come a long way since we started blogging and i am glad to have another blogging friend to share this journey with!!! xoxo

Barbara said... Best Blogger Tips

When my grandson comes to visit this summer I am going to make this with his help. He loves wood working, and I'll teach him to sew with this project, and I know he'll love it! Thank you for such a nice project and beautifully done instructions!

VickiT said... Best Blogger Tips

This is such a great tutorial. Any child would be thrilled to have one of these. Thank you.

Iveta said... Best Blogger Tips

this kids things are so sweet, Just a little tuch of ebroidery, and you get a perfect dress, or skirt, etc.
thank you, this is inspire me:)

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

I am going to get some camouflage fabric and make one of these for my nephew.

lastdogz said... Best Blogger Tips

I can't wait to make this! My son will love it. Thanks for gathering and sharing all these patterns this month. I've bookmarked so many of them, I'll need to take a month off from work to make them all!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

beautiful sheet, and a beautiful blog. You have a great sense of line and color.

Christa said... Best Blogger Tips

This is fabulous! My kids, nieces, nephews and family kid friends would ALL love one of these! :)

Krista S. said... Best Blogger Tips

LOVED this tutorial!!! Made one this morning in less than an hour!

here it is:
http://thehandmadehomemaker.blogspot.com/2011/05/yard-sailing-we-will-go.html

heather said... Best Blogger Tips

it's adorable! the fabric... the idea... the room it's in... ALL of it!!!

Jennwith4 said... Best Blogger Tips

Just finished mine!! Thx for the tutorial!!

Andrea said... Best Blogger Tips

Love this! Adding it to my never ending list of possibilities for birthday/Christmas gifts! Mental Note: Start thinking about and making these gifts before November this year!

Jennifer DeDonato said... Best Blogger Tips

So great...I don't know what it is but kids just love them. I know I would have been in heaven as a kid.

Jenn Erickson said... Best Blogger Tips

I'm so excited about Rubyellen's blog and about this project! My girls and I made a list of 100 things to do this summer and an indoor campout was one of them. Now, we'll have fun making our own tents for the experience. Fabulous!!!

Thank you!
Jenn/Rook No. 17

Suzanne said... Best Blogger Tips

I made one too, but added extra dowels for support to make a sturdier tent that would withstand a few toddlers playing with it: http://bit.ly/jbwUV9

Sheau said... Best Blogger Tips

This is wonderful. So easy and low cost. We just made ours. We have hardwood floor, so we made a fabric band to hold the tops together to prevent the tent to open all the way up.

Anastasia said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks, what a great idea, my toddler would love this!

http://eco-babyz.com

Once a small seed said... Best Blogger Tips

Just made one for my daughter's birthday. I am going to make two more for presents! Thank you.

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for the tutorial - your tent turned out so nice too! I've got this linked to my play tents post as well today, nice job!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

hi! i just followed the instructions (thanks!) and my wooden dowel is loose with the wood planks. I tied some string, which helped, but you do have any other advice for making it more sturdy?

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

i just finished it. thanks so much for the tutorial! http://www.lifeonchurchill.com/2012/01/our-little-tent.html

Jill said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this idea do much that I'm at the store gathering the supplies. I can't wait to show this off on my blog! Come visit me at mamajillof2crafts.blogspot.com.

NorthStarCanopy.com said... Best Blogger Tips

This is a wonderful idea. It is such a low cost way for kids to have fun in a slumber party tent

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

You made it look so simple to do, and it is very cute thanks.
Isaac

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I really like tents and this one is no exception. I made this for my nephew and he loves the canopy tent, in fact he has slept in it for the past three nights!

Quilt Mom said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this tent, you did a great job with the instructions! I was thinking of making a tee-pee for when my grandson is here for a week but I like this better!
This would be easy to take to the beach for shade too!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh wow!! great!! this is too good!! Nursing covers

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Check out her newest on the asymmetric dress and blouses. She built an information site on them.

xoAM said... Best Blogger Tips

Has anyone found the size would mentioned that is untreated? If not the same size but it is untreated I would be interested as well.
Would you please share where you found? Links would be great!

Thanks!
Alison

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

very cute idea- :) thank you for sharing

 
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