Homemade Tepee for a Doll

Size and Style

• The first consideration when making a homemade doll tepee is the size of the doll. The doll should fit comfortably inside, along with some extra room for a doll friend. For example, a 12-inch doll would need a tepee about 14 to 15 inches tall at the center, with a diameter of about 14 to 15 inches.

  An additional concern is how easily your child can get a doll into the tepee and play with the doll once it is inside. Leaving one side of the tepee mostly open, or with an easy-to-secure flap covering, should offer enough space.

Materials

• The tepee stakes can be made from 1/2-inch or 1-inch dowel rods, or fairly straight sticks of the same size for a more authentic look. Either way, the stakes should all be about the same length and be about 6 inches longer than the desired height of the tepee's center. For example, if the doll tepee needs to be 14 inches tall, the stakes should be about 20 inches long.

  To secure the poles, you will need some twine, cord or even leather string for crafts.

  The walls of the tepee can be made with thick, brown butcher paper; canvas; or any other cotton or poly/cotton blend fabric. Wood glue or super glue can be used to secure the fabric or paper to the stakes.This makes it easy to move, store and reassemble the tepee.

Construction

• To construct your doll tepee, tie four or five stakes securely together about 4 inches from the top of the rods. Fan the poles out in a tepee shape, then drape your paper or fabric lightly around the poles to determine how much you'll need.

  Alternatively, you can create a pattern by laying a piece of paper over one triangle side of the tepee, then tracing this onto the fabric or paper you've chosen for your walls. Trace as many additional triangles as you have openings, with the top points touching, so when you cut it out it will be one large piece of fabric or paper.

  Wrap the wall of the tepee around the stakes, securing the fabric or paper to the stakes with glue.