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How to Build a Canvas Teepee

A teepee is a traditional Native American tent which would have originally been made from animal hides. The hide kept the inside of the tent warm because of its wind and water resistance. A fire would also have been made in the center of the tent to add extra warmth. This is a good tent to build in the wild as the tent poles can be made out of brush material so only the canvas needs to be carried. Build your own teepee out of canvas.

Things You'll Need

Canvas
Chalk
Measuring tape
Knife
Scissors
Wooden poles
Needle
Thread

Instructions

- 1
  Measure and mark the center of one of the long sides of the canvas. Draw two arcs in chalk from the middle of one side to the bottom corners to make a semi-circle.
- 2
  Cut out along these arced lines and keep the remnants of the canvas to patch up any damage to the structure.
- 3
  Mark and cut out quarter circles on each corner of the canvas where the arced line meets the straight edge. These will form the doorway for the teepee.
- 4
  Make a V-shaped cut into the canvas at the center of the straight edge to form smoke flaps. This should not alter the outline of the teepee cover and should be cut into the canvas rather than out of the canvas.
- 5
  Stitch the canvas together using a needle and thread so it forms a cone shape. This is done by folding the straight edge in half from the center and joining the two straight edges together. The bottom edge of the canvas can also be hemmed, if required.
- 6
  Arrange a tripod of wooden stakes 3-feet higher than the teepee cover. Rest six more wooden stakes on this tripod to form the outline of the frame and tie the stakes together at the top, using rope.
- 7
  Place the canvas cover over the wooden stakes, ensuring the tops of the stakes go through the smoke flaps.
- 8
  Move the wooden stakes so the canvas cover is expanded fully. Make holes in the edge of the cover and insert the wooden stakes or tent pegs to hold the structure down.
- 9
  Leave two stakes in the teepee to be used to hold open the smoke flaps.

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