A-Frame Play Tent

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Jigsaw, chop saw or hand saw
• Drill, 1/8" & 3/8" drill bits
• Screwdriver
• Sandpaper
• Staple gun & 1/2" Staples
• Hammer
• Lumber, Clear Pine, 1"x 2", ten at 6’
• Wood Screws, #8, 24
• Hex Bolts, 2 at 3/8"x 2 1/2", 4 washers, 2 wing nuts
• Sewing machine
• Sewing notions
• Iron
• Rotary cutter & cutting board
• Marking pen or tailors chalk
• Metal yardstick
• Quilters rule, 2’
• Fabric clips
• Office stapler
• Cardboard, 2 at 3/4"x 48"
• Outdoor fabric, 56" W, tan: 2 3/4 yards, contrast color: 4 1/2 yards

DIRECTIONS:

1. Build the wood frame. Cut pine 1"x 2" (actual size 3/4"x 1 1/2"), 6 at 49 1/2" (horizontal boards), keep 6’ length for 4 (vertical ends). Sand cuts. Drill holes for hex bolts 11" down from one end of each 6’ board, through 1 1/2" side of 1"x 2". Center holes on width of board. Pre-drill and attach 49 1/2" boards to 6’ boards. Set 6’ boards 3/4" sides up. Set first horizontal board flush with bottom corners of 6’ board, opposite end from bolt holes. On either end, set two screws through 1 1/2" side of horizontal board to attach. Set second horizontal board 2’4" above top of first. Top horizontal board 13" down from top of 6’ board. Repeat.
2. Place one washer on hex bolt. Place bolt through outer side of frame. Overlap second frame end and insert bolt through hole. Add another washer then wing nut to secure. Repeat. Wing nuts will be toward the center of the frame. Loosen the hex bolt to open and close the frame. Cut 2 strips of cardboard, 3/4"x 48". Cardboard may be cut in smaller lengths to make 48". Set aside.
3. Sewing, use 1/2" SA matching raw edges of panels. Press all seams, (except final front and back to sides seams), to tan fabric and topstitch 1/4". Use template for placement of parts.
4. Cut all fabric and label.
5. RST sew C to D on 8" edge. Press seam to D. Topstitch. Repeat. RST sew B to C/D. Reverse, repeat. Press seam to B. Topstitch. Set aside. RST sew H to E. Reverse, repeat. Press seam to E. Topstitch. RST sew H/E to B/C/D on B edge. Reverse, repeat. Press seam to B. Topstitch. RST sew A to top of H/B/C. Match top corner of C with lower 90 degree corner of A. Reverse, repeat. Press seam to A. Finish split edges of door. Fold A/C/D edge back 1/2" then again 1/2". Press. Sew close to fold. Repeat. Finish bottom edges of door. Fold E/B/D edge back 1/2" then again 1". Press. Sew close to fold. Repeat.
6. Sew door handles. Fold both long edges of 8" strip in 1/2" then fold in half. Press. Fold ends under 3/4". Press. Sew close to folded edges. Repeat. Place handle 1" in from folded edge of C. Bottom edge of handle 9" up from seam between C and D. Top edge of handle 15" up from seam between C and D. Sew close to ends, turn and sew one side 1", turn and sew across to other side, turn and sew to end. Repeat for opposite end of handle. Repeat for second handle.
7. Sew ties. Fold in ends of 30" length 1/2". Fold long sides to center, then fold in half. Press. Sew close to fold. Repeat. Find center of length. Place center of tie 18" up from folded bottom edge of door panel, on H. Baste 1/4" from raw edge. Repeat.
8. Fold G in half side to side. Mark center of bottom edge. RST G to A of both door panels. Center A panels at mark on G. Sew, backstitching at split between A panels. Press seam to A. Topstitch. RST sew F to G. Press seam to F. Topstitch. Set aside.
9. Back panel. RST sew F to I. Press seam to F. Topstitch. RST sew J to I. Press seam to I. Topstitch. Set aside.
10. Top and sides. Fold 5 1/2" ends of K 1/2" then another 1/2". Press and sew close to fold. Fold K in half lengthwise to find center. Mark on both edges. Repeat to find center of length of both L panels. RST sew L to K, matching centers. Press seam to L. Topstitch. Repeat. RST sew L to M. Press seam to L. Topstitch. Repeat. RST sew N to M. Press seam to N. Topstitch. Repeat.
11. Set up wood frame on flat surface. Open bottom of legs to approximately 3’6". Drape side panels WS out over wood frame top horizontal bars. Match seam between K and L on outer edges of top horizontal bars. Center fabric end to end. Sides will drape onto floor. Pin back panel to sides RST. Start at the top matching the folded edges. Work down each side, matching up the seams 1/2" in from the raw edges. Pin down both sides. Remove and sew 1/2" SA.
12. Replace sides and back onto frame. Pin front panel on the same as back panel. One end of ties will extend into the tent and one end will be visible past raw edges of seam. Remove fabric from frame and sew 1/2" SA. Turn fabric RS out. Place fabric on frame. Open the legs to 4" on the inside from leg to leg. Settle the seams between K and L on the top outer edges of the horizontal bars. Place the interior ties to the back of the vertical frame. From inside the tent, pull the length of side panels under the lower horizontal bar. Fold each corner at a 45 degree angle. Lay cardboard strip on top of N, 1/4" from raw edge. Cut ends of cardboard to angle of fabric corners. Use an office stapler to attach cardboard to fabric every 6". Avoid a staple at the corners. Fold the cardboard over, then place the wrapped cardboard on top of the lower bar of the horizontal frame. Use a staple gun with 1/2" staples every 3" to attach. Staple through the cardboard. Gently hammer in the staples to set flush (the board does not rest on the floor).

JOANN HACKS:

• Folded size of tent: 6" D x 4’3" W x 6’ H
• If fabric frays add a zigzag stitch to outer edges before sewing together.