DIY Network

Circus Tent for Paul Circus Tent for Paul From "Material Girls" episode DMTG-104

Cat and April show off the circus tent they constructed from a commercial pattern.

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What little boy wouldn't want his very own circus tent?

Materials:

collapsible pop-up play tent kit from Birch Street Clothing
fabric
thread
pins
sewing machine
scissors
web bonding

Tip: You may want to move your sewing machine to a place large enough to support the hoops of the tent.

1. Cut six sections for each tricolored top.

2. With the right sides facing, stitch top together, sewing seam from wide end to narrow end and leaving any uneven edges at the top.

3. Topstitch each seam for extra strength.

4. Sew the first section to the last section to form a circle.

5. Cut a 2-1/2" x 12" strip. With right sides together, sew the long side closed. Turn and press.

6. Cut three strips 4-1/2" wide from the 60" fabric. Using the scalloped template, cut the trim. Sew the three strips together.

7. Pin 4-3/4 yards fabric into place to see how much you need, and then close at end. With the right sides together, baste 3/4" in from raw edge of top, starting and ending in the center of one panel, which will create the back of the tent.

8. Pin the two pop-up hoops in place between the layers of the sidewall and the tent top.

9. Sew the hoops in place, using a 1/4" seam.

10. Cut four 24" x 24" squares and one 18" x 18" square. Place two of the larger ones next to each other and sew three sides closed. Repeat the process with other two squares. Pull the bottom seam apart and stitch across, giving it depth. Repeat on second squares. Press the top raw edge on both bag sections toward the unfinished (wrong) side 1/4". With the right sides facing, stitch half of the bag together.

11. Turn one section right side out and place the two bags unfinished (wrong) sides together. Fold the lid in half diagonally. Line the tip of the lid with a square of interfacing on each side.

Note: The rule of thumb is that the interfacing should always be slightly lighter in weight than the fabric.

12. With the right sides together, sew the sides closed, leaving an opening for turning. Turn and press; topstitch around the seamed sides.

13. Position the lid between the back half of the bag, baste and stitch in place

14. Use 1" webbing approximately 4' long, or make handle out of the leftovers.

15. Attach the handle 1" below the top edge over the side seams. Fold handle up and stitch all around and diagonally for strength.

RESOURCES :

Waverly fabric (Paul's tent)
Product # 649137 Norwegian Blue
Product #662392 (Clarie's Check Meadow)
Product #668086 (Timeless Ticking Pear)
Website: www.waverly.com

Tent kit
Birch Street Clothing
Website: www.birchstreetclothing.com