Anyone ever build a teepee ?

[Springer]

We are holding our Family reunion during the July long weekend and we do a ton of activities and games. I somehow come up with the idea of building a close to authentic teepee.
It will be wrapped with #10 ounce dropcloth material that everyone will have the fun of doing their own painting on. Looking for some ideas and pictures from anyone else who has done this . I cut 16ft poles out of lodge pole pine and am working on the cover now.

I also volunteered to put on the Spud Gun shootout, the archery and pellet gun contest's.
we have $2000 worth of fireworks ...should be a dandy good time and hope like hell it does not rain.

[walking buffalo]

A couple pics from a project a few years ago.

This little 10' Teepee was made for a day care centre in downtown Calgary.

As you can see, the kids painted it themselves. 

I've helped with many teepees, in a few styles. Next on the list is a braintanned buffalo skin teepee.


Springer,
 
 Have you set up a teepee before?

[BBJ]

Ive never built one but ive slept in one . Id love to learn how to make one , and use that for hunt camp . and sleep on cots or something .

[Springer]

WB , no i have not but always wanted to set one up. What better way than to get the adults and kids together on a mutual project .Its a 3 day weekend so hopefully it will be decorated to everyones own individual taste.

I will post pics after the long weekend. Any ideas or what you can help contribute would be appreciated.

From what i have read they can be all sizes. When its a 10' or 12ft or 14' is that the measurement where the poles all come together and the width of the tarp??

BBJ the rent will be real cheap after the weekend.LoL..

[Weste]

That looks like a fun project.  WB the Teepee looks phenomenal!

[walking buffalo]

WB , no i have not but always wanted to set one up. What better way than to get the adults and kids together on a mutual project .Its a 3 day weekend so hopefully it will be decorated to everyones own individual taste.

I will post pics after the long weekend. Any ideas or what you can help contribute would be appreciated.

From what i have read they can be all sizes. When its a 10' or 12ft or 14' is that the measurement where the poles all come together and the width of the tarp??

BBJ the rent will be real cheap after the weekend.LoL..

Teepees can be any size. The size measurement usually refers to the base diameter.

While Teepees look and are simple, they can be extremely frustrating if you don't know how to do it right. There is only one way to set up each style of teepee, one piece out of order, and  . The poles need to be layed in a particular order and place, depending on whether you are using a three or four pole set and the pattern of the skin. A Cree skin pattern usually needs to be set on a 4 pole base, while most blackfoot patterns require a three pole base.

This should be a fun project, but it could quickly become one of hair pulling and f-bombs. I suggest you spend some time googling patterns and techniques for making and setting up a teepee.

[Springer]

Ok i will make sure the wobbly Pops are shared after we get it set-up and maybe a haircut before so i dont pull it out. I am sure there are going to be lots of learnings. Base Diameter hey.  So if i have 16 ft poles what size diameter would you recomend i make the Diameter. I have a 12' x  30 ft piece of canvas .

[walking buffalo]

Springer,

Without sewing, you're limited by the fabric dimensions. Teepee covers are basically a semi-circle. So the 12' width of the canvas (radius of teepee cover) gives you a diameter of 24'. If you are not going to cut the canvas into a semicircle pattern, you will have to deal with the excess material; tuck, pin and fold as neccessary. Think Red Green.....

Teepees usually have a slope of about 55 degrees off horizontal. The 12' width of the cover is the slope. This slope lenght allows you to make a teepee with a floor diameter of 11'.

The 16' poles will work well. The canvas will be tied off at 12' from the butt, leaving 4' on top.



A couple of links to look at.

http://www.tipi.com/Tipi_CatalogWEB08.pdf

http://www.tipi.com/tipipoles.html

http://www.tipis.org/designs_and_patterns_for_tipis.htm

[Springer]

Man do i ever appreciate your help help WB !!  I am lucky that my Wife does lots of quilting etc so she will help with the sewing part. Great pattern and great ideas for the painting part of it,which is one of the weekend activities.
Yes I will cut the half circle . I hope to be able to reuse for following years or lend it out to some kids/youths ,that is if it turns out well enough.

Cheers and thanks again!!

[walking buffalo]

I should have asked at the start if you wanted to make a proper cover that will last.

Can your wife sew the canvas? I won't bother asking if YOU can sew it. :lol:

You'll have a much stronger cover if you sew several strips together rather than just cutting it out of one piece. Plus you may be able to make a larger cover with the canvas you have. The leftover material can make the smoke flaps and entrance cover.

A well made and cared for teepee will last for many years. They are definately worth the effort.

[Springer]

We'll  have to see how tough it is in the end. Yes my Wife will do the sewing,,She wont let me touch her machine !! I did howver buy some strong thread and needles. I need her to do the bottom hem . I am going to install some brass grommets along it and some tie ropes/canvas material whatever along the bottom.
I was also thinking of putting the same grommets at the overlap pieces. The holes would line up nicely this way.
I am sure we will learn lots on this one so theres room for error.
I have lots of leftover for the flaps and maybe the door. I want to use the willow hoop one that hinges at the top.
I was wondering,could i apply some type of rain repellent over it when its done ??

[walking buffalo]

Yup, treat the canvas the same as a Wall tent. Lots of products available for waterproofing and mildew resistance.

And don't forget to have someone taking lots of pics while it is being put together.   

[MAV]

Cool discussion loved the links but in the nature of the "Stupid Question Thread", what exactly do you see when you look at an old teepee ring. Did those rocks just weight down the covers?

[Springer]

Well WB i never got a bunch of pics due to the wind and rain trying to attempt this in the driveway and garage.
My Bride has been rolling her eyes about me being so fussy about this project.However she is the one helping with sewing. I have maybe $100 bucks into it . I set up my 12 poles and give it a trial wrap around. I guess so far i have learned the poles should be a little narrower at the top but thats it. i still need to install grommets for the overlaping pieces and the tie straps at the bottom. With a little waterproofing I am thinking i just might want to try a campout in this baby for real. Theres going to be some interesting graffiti on it after the long weekend . I will enclose pics after that.
I was thinking about your comments in a bear thread where you got lots of grease from him. My Dad always used it. Would it be suitable waterproofing?? in your experience that is? Just would add to the authenticity.

[walking buffalo]

Great to hear it's coming along well. Still got your hair too, I'll assume. 

Beargrease would work. Make sure the grease is compatable with the paint. Commercial sprays would be easier, but do what feels right for this project.

I don't mean this in any criticizing way, just for knowledge.  Once you paint the teepee, you have ended the "Authentic" way. In Plains culture, Paintings on teepees are earned. A person following the red path could not paint their teepee without having the symbols passed to them through ceremony.

Cool discussion loved the links but in the nature of the "Stupid Question Thread", what exactly do you see when you look at an old teepee ring. Did those rocks just weight down the covers?

An elder told me the rocks are there to keep the women safely inside, and as a warning sytem for any interlopers trying to sneak in during the night. Just listen for the "Ouch" of a stubbed toe.

[MAV]

Well maybe it doen't belong in the "Stupid Question" thread. 

[walking buffalo]

Springer,

  How did the Teepee raising go? Pictures ?

[Springer]

OK 3rd try here posting pics ....Hmm i will cross my fingers,boy its frustrating when you hit a wrong key and lose it all.

I had Mrs Springer sew the two canvasses together then traced a pattern on it.


Here is the finished product with the hems,tie straps and grommets in it ready for the Canada day raising of the Teepee.



Not sure how they tied the very top but this is what i came up with.


Now some random pics of the gang..








My Sis had Teepee time and they made bannock, Indian Tea , and some face painting etc!!! there was people in and out of it all weekend and the comments made it all worthwhile.
.

The weather was perfect and we enjoyed activities like Karaoke , treasure Hunts,crib tournament,horseshow tournament , pellet gun shootout for all ages , Spud Gun shoot out, Archery , and an amazing fireworks display that lasted over 30 minutes that was choreographed with Music. Everyone was covered in glowsticks and what a sight to see the old and young covered with them that night...



Thanks again for the help and history WB.

Springer

[walleyes]

Love the pics springer.. Looks like the teepee was a hit. You guys did an awesome job of it,,, well done..

[walking buffalo]

Fantastic! 

Your welcome Springer, but I think you would have had it handled without me, but definately NOT without your wife. 


Did you try having a fire in there? They work so well. The next addition is a Skirt for the inside. Look back at the links. The skirt, about 3' tall, is tied to the poles on the inside, and secured tight to the ground. This creates a draft from under the canvas, to over the fire level. This Air flow is great for ventilation and mixing the fresh cold air with the heated air. Plus you don't get a flow of cold air running along the ground where your sitting or sleeping.

You don't need to climb up to tie off the poles. Learn to fly, or, Use a long rope tied to your tripod poles, tied at the same junction. The tie rope should be about 2-2 1/2 times the length of tie off point to the end of the pole. Put up a few poles, grab the rope and walk around the outside of the poles following the path of the sun (clockwise), making a wrap. Always do things in a clockwise fashion, for tradition. When all of the poles are in place, walk around the teepee FOUR times making four wraps, then the rope can either be tied off to the bottom of a pole, or the best way, to an anchor peg. I've often seen old Tire Irons used as pegs for this purpose.


I'll be sure to recognize that teepee in the bush. Have the tea ready.