Pottery Barn Inspired Play Tent

After ooogling over the play tent in the Land of Nod catalog, I decided to make one. I loved the tent but again... didn't love the $129 price tag. I bought the materials needed to make a Custom Tent {to match Kyah's room} for $20 and made one myself. He loves it and I love that I saved so much money!

Now I will confess, I cheated on this one and used bits and pieces of this tutorial.  I planned on using this tutorial 100% and just sharing with you, however as I was making the tent, I deviated from the said tutorial and found that doing things differently worked better for me. The bad news; I didn't write things down or take pictures.  I know, I know. But hey, I didn't plan on doing things different. That counts for something right?! yes, no? 


Either way, I will share my photos and will write down what I did that might help you in the event you would like to make your own; simply because I am cool like that. 

It was an immediate hit. Mainly because he loves tents, but also because he loves books. It's now the "Must Be" spot in the house if you want to get your read on. 

I made it so that it would over lap and close completely. Every 2 year old needs a little privacy every now and then. Like, for reals yo. 

Oh boy, Oh boy. Sewing the sides to the top was a doozy. No need to lie. If only I had pictures of this process it would explain the bald spot on my head. Ok, so I'm not missing any hair but it doesn't mean that I didn't want to pull it out. 


With that said, I'll tell you the way that I didn't make the top, but that I think would be easier. {go ahead, re-read that sentence. It does make sense, I promise}. 



My Personal How To {on making the top canopy}: 
Get a Hula Hoop and lay it on a Twin Sheet. Cut all the way around the sheet leaving about 4in of fabric between your hula hoop and the cut line. Fold in half and cut down the center. That way you have two half circles. Fan the half circles where you have three triangles. Cute out the triangles. {they should measure about 19 1/2" on the sides and 18 1/2" along the bottom. From point to bottom center it should measure about 21". Sew three triangles together and then sew the other three together. You will then have to half circles made up of three sewn together triangles. Take about 30" of Ribbon and make a loop {this is what you will hang it from the ceiling with}. Position and pin it between the to half circles and then sew them together {back stitching over the ribbon a few times since it will be holding the weight}. Now you will have a completed circles composed of 6 triangles. And then on each seam of the triangles, you will need to attached about 12' of ribbon on each to tie the hula hoop too. 


This will make sense after reading through the linked tutorial. But really, it's sewing the sides to the top circle that got me. 


All in all, $20 and about 3 hours worth of work and one bald spot was totally worth it. It's fabulous and we love it! 


What are you waiting for... check out the tutorial and save money! This would be great for a classroom {hint hint, teachers}.