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I have bought a pattern but have no clue where to start ... please help!

12 replies

Tobermory · 05/09/2010 22:00

My DD would love some kind of play tent thingy , but a bit Shock at the cost of these, despite their loveliness. So have bought a pattern like this, thinking how hard can it be....it has arrived and I dont know where to start! I last followed a pattern, about 20 years ago (makes me feel v old) to make a lurvely pair of trousers in school and dont remember a thing!
Have spent a while tonight looking at the pattern and trying to figure out how much fabric to buy, still dont know!
In an attempt to make things more simple I wondered about not having the doorway but something more like the wingreen one. Would it be as straightforward as a another long panel - dimensions same as the back with tie backs? Would it need to over-lap at the top?

So where can i go for fabric, online and not too expensive? Pink, pretty, gingham or stripes?

Help!

OP posts:
dizzyday07 · 06/09/2010 00:45

It should say on the back of the pattern how much fabric you need. (The one on the link need 10yds of the main fabric)

The door on this one looks harder than it is. I'd make it by start by laying the 2 pieces of voile on top of one another so they mostly overlap, then join to the piece for above the door. Then sew down one edge of this joined piece to join to the main fabric and then repeat down the other side - making sure you only catch 1 piece of voile in the seam (I'm not sure if this confuses you more or not!!)

But to keep it simpler and so the door is like the first link, just join strips of fabric lengthways until the are wide enough to go round the hoola hoop.

I have no idea how they are joining in the hoop or the top part!

They sell gingham at Fabricland and at Efabrics for @ £2.50 a metre

Tobermory · 06/09/2010 10:03

Thanks for that detailed reply.

Now I think I 'get' the fabric requirements.
45" is width of fabric right? Hence the 10 yards.

If I do the more straightforad door as in the 1st link I will need more fabric won't i? As Im not using different fabric for a door. Im going to guestimate or is there a better method?!

OP posts:
moocowme · 06/09/2010 11:06

yes 45" is the width, cant say you would need much less if its a wider fabric with a tent pattern.

the pieces should have arrows or long lines onthem showing you which way round the gow on the fabric.

it should have some cryptic useful instructions with it as well.

you need to lay out all the fabric and pin the pattern on first. i hope you have somewhere to do this?

Littlewhitethings · 06/09/2010 21:38

What I would do is seperate your pattern into a top and bottom half.

The top half of the pattern is perfectly usable as it looks like a similar construction. For the bottom drapey half, I would not attempt to use the pattern, as it is complicated for someone who isn't on a machine regularly. Instead I would make something more like the picture. It'll be easier than you think (and a lot easier than that pattern!)

The picture you like shows gathered drapes going all the way round the hoop with the openings tied back. All this is is a two large rectangles of fabric, sewn together wrong sides out then turned right way out (so the fabric pattern is uppermost both inside and out).

Then I would follow the pattern instructions to attach the simple rectangle to the top half of your pattern. I presume this involves some sort of hula hoop.

Material measure: All you need to do is make sure that the long edge of your rectangle goes round the hula-hoop ideally at least twice, so you can gather the fabric rectangle before attaching it to the top half. The gathering creates "puffiness" and room in the tent (see your pic of the expensive one) otherwise you will be making just a hanging tube!

Make sure your length is nice and long for the fabric rectangle so it drapes on the floor a bit. More drape is better than less.

Width: Measure the circumference of the hula hoop. Your fabric will need to be at least twice this for the width.

Height: Measure the drop from where you will hang it (for kids, I would think the drapes section start at around maybe 5' length plus an extra 2' for where it drapes on the floor, if desired. In this case that's 7 feet height. You may need to join two lengths of fabric together to get the rectangle size you want. This can be made into a feature if you mix and match wide strips of different patterned fabric. Don't forget you will need to times the fabric rectangle requirement by 2, for inside and outside layers.

Finally, to create the openings, sew a length of ribbon approx 20" from each open end, then a corresponding ribbon on the opening itself. You can then tie the openings back.

Give it a go. Don't get bogged down with that complicated pattern.

PS. For this sort of project I completely ignore any arrows showing direction of pattern laying on the fabric. It really doesn't matter, unless you are following the fabric's own pattern and trying to get pieces to match up from an aesthetic POV. Other than that it's to do with drape and grain, usually essential to do in dressmaking but definitely not in drapey play toys (IMHO). Waste of fabric!

Tobermory · 07/09/2010 10:58

littlewhite things, thankyou so much. I spent much of last night cutting out all the fiddly tissue paper bits from the pattern and trying to get my head round how it works, and how I could alter it to create the door and gathered look! Your instructions make it seem a heck of a lot easier.

I shall print them off and have a rethink later on...... and then be back later with many questions!

OP posts:
Tobermory · 27/10/2010 23:15

littlewhitethings I've finished!!

Thankyou so much for your advice, her play tent is finished and looks fab!

What shall i make next?!

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moocowme · 28/10/2010 09:47

excellent news and well done. i think you need to make them some outfits to wear while playing in the tent. any chance of seeing a picture of it?

Littlewhitethings · 29/10/2010 09:59

Oh well done Tobermory! ] I'm very Envy of you getting a big project like that finished, I'm having to rest at the moment but there are sooo many things I want to finish!

Are you saving it for a Christmas/birthday present, or have you already given it to your DD? Any pics of the finished product?> Smile

Tobermory · 31/10/2010 17:06

Thanks both Grin

Have put a photo on my profile

We are saving it for Xmas, or until DH gets round to finding a part of the ceiling with a beam so it can go u p and hopefully stay there....whichever comes first!
Have also made some cushion in the same gingham fabric to go inside.

OP posts:
Littlewhitethings · 02/11/2010 21:02

Fantastic work Tobermory! So proud of you [sniff]. It is absolutely beautiful, you've done such a great job and I love the little bunting detail at the top, it really makes it special. The length is perfect and your colour choices are gorgeous.

Your DD is going to love it so much! What a special present and one that she'll get so much use out of over the years. Matching cushions is a great idea too. In the summer you can even hang it from a tree for a dreamy outside tent... lovely lovely job. You could definitely sell them you know Wink

Tobermory · 03/11/2010 12:48

Thankyou littlewhitethings, I am quite poud of myself! Think I would have loved one of these when I was a little girl.

I dont think I could sell them and make much profit, cost a fortune...but don't tell DH!

OP posts:
moocowme · 05/11/2010 10:10

never mind the cost, if they love it its soooo worth it. its probably far better than some cheaply bought rubbish. enjoy it and hopefully you will make them some more things soon. things made wih love are far more cherished.

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