As promised, here is the tutorial on how I created the tent covers for Rylee’s birthday party.  I used Rubyellens A-frame tent instructions to create the tent/teepee base….but I wanted to create something unique for the covers.  I purchased some simple cotton canvas material from my local fabric store, enough to cover two tents which each called for approx. 46” x 85.5”.  The fabric was actually my only purchase for this project.  All of the other supplies I already had in my home.

What you will need:

– a pair of scissors

– 1 foam sheet (9″ X 12″ sheet from Michael’s)

– spray adhesive

– acrylic paint

– fabric of your choice

I chose to create 2 different triangle patterns for both of my tent covers.  For the first one, I used a compass to create a perfect 5″ triangle on a piece of paper.  This served as my stencil.  I traced 4 of these triangles onto my foam sheet.

I then cut out all of the triangles.  I lined them up on top of one another, and using adhesive spray, I mounted them all together to make a “stamp” of sorts.

*careful with the adhesive!  It’s sticky stuff and should probably be done outside.

I have a lot of acrylic paint on hand, so that is what I decided to use here.  There may be other fabric paint more fitting for this project, but I just used what I had and it worked great!  I generously applied the paint to the underside of my stamp using a paint brush.  If you want a more even application, you can use a foam brush to apply the paint…but I wanted it a bit rough and uneven.

I cut down my fabric to size and folded it perfectly in half, just as it should lay across the top dowel.  I slid a piece of cardboard in between the fabric so my paint would not bleed onto the other side.  Then I began stamping away!  I just eyeballed it, but if you are worried about spacing, use your ruler and lightly mark out a path with your pencil beforehand.  I let the paint dry completely before turning the fabric over and repeating the same process on the other side.  Once everything was dry, I sewed a half inch hem on all the edges.  On each corner, I attached a thin fabric strip that I used to secure the fabric to the frame. Or as Ruby suggests…you can use elastic strips instead.

For my second cover, I repeated the same process only using a 2″ triangle to create an all-over pattern with more negative space.

Obviously, this method does not need to be reserved just for a tent cover.  It could make for a great photo backdrop for a party, DIY napkins or placemats, or even on wood for wall art.

Hope you have fun with this! Let me know it you try it!  Happy Monday!