Flannel Tent with Pom Pom Trim

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Flannel fabric: three panels of 2 1/2yds for the sides of the tent & 1yd for the top
• Pompom trim: 180" for the sides of the tent & 120" for around the hoop & for the ties
• 23" round embroidery hoop
• Sewing machine & thread
• Scissors/rotary cutter
• Ruler
• Pins
• Seam ripper
• Hot glue gun/glue gun sticks
• Iron

DIRECTIONS:

1. Grab your three panels (2 1/2yds each) and sew the long sides together to form one large piece.
2. Clean finish the raw edges of the sides and bottom of the tent (double folding, pressing and straight stitching to do so).


3. Cut the pompoms into two 90" pieces and straight stitch these onto the edges of the two sides that will become the opening for the tent.


4. In order to connect the large tent piece to the hoop, create a casing along the top raw edge. Fold over the edge 3 1/2" and straight stitch along the entire edge, but REMEMBER to leave an 8" gap in your stitching in the exact middle of the middle panel. This is because you will need a way to access the embroidery hoop later to tighten.


5. Once you have created the casing, unhinge the outer portion of your embroidery hoop and slide the entire length of the fabric on. Shimmy it all the way around and make sure the 8" opening you left is in line with the embroidery hoops hinge (this will be the back of the tent, where it will be hidden).


6. Using your 1 yard of flannel fabric, cut out a 3"x 20" strip that will become the hook/loop at the top of the tent.


7. Iron the strip of fabric in half and stitch it closed along the length about 1/4" from the raw edge. Flip the tube right-side out and press. The loop is done.


8. Using the remaining 1 yard of flannel, cut out 8 triangles that measure 11 1/2" wide at the bottom and 18 3/4" long on the sides. When cutting, curve your triangles in a bit to create more of a swoopy appearance.


9. Pin together and stitch four of the triangles to make one half of the tent top. Then do the same for the other four. Stitch in about 1/4" from the edges. Before connecting the two halves together, make sure to add the loop created earlier. Stitch it into the peak of the conjoined triangles. Remember to put right-sides together.


10. The tent top is now assembled but it needs to be attached to the inner ring of the embroidery hoop. Tack either by hand sewing or with your machine, the top of your tent around the hoop. Tacking locations will be the bottom of the seams where each of the triangles connect. This will give it enough stability to stay in place when you connect it all together.


11. Attach the inner hoop to the outer hoop and tighten (through the opening you left in the casing earlier) to bring all the pieces together. This will require a little bit of time and patience to get all the fabric tucked where it needs to go.


12. Hot glue the pompoms around the outer edge of the flannel on the hoop.


13. There are two long seams running down your tent where it was pieced together. At approximately the middle of the seam length, use the seam ripper and create a 2" opening. Make sure they are at the same height on both seams.
14. Cut the remaining pompoms into two 20" pieces. Slide these through the openings that were just created to create the tie-backs.

JOANN HACKS:

• When cutting out the triangles for the top of the tent, it helps to create a pattern ahead of time before cutting.


• To create the swoopy appearance of the triangles, fold the first one in half before making the curve. This will ensure that the triangles are symmetrical.


• The ties that hold the tent open can be as long or short as you want. If you would like the ability to modify it then make your ties longer to allow for the flexibility.