Free Pattern Month Day 11 - Cakies: The A-Frame Tent

Hello Monday! We have a great gal to start off a fresh week of Free Patterns! 


Please welcome Rubyellen from Cakies!

(Today's featured pattern after intro)

I was introduced to Rubyellen's blog a very long time ago! Back when she only had one toddler and a very very small newborn;) 


Now she has THREE with one more on the way! My how times have changed!




What caught my eye was her ethereal photography and adorable softies! Her life is like something out of a fairytale, whimsical and warm.

All of her projects and posts come from a place where crafting and motherhood intersect. She crafts to make her life more beautiful and homey. You can definitely feel the love for her family in her posts! Some publisher really needs to contact her! I can just see a book featuring her family oriented crafts!

See her Hannah and Gretel post. What fun!

Or her three little piggies post!

 I love reading about her thrifting finds! See the Vintage Here, Vintage There series. It will make you run to your nearest thrift store and start finding some treasures! Wish Rubyellen and I lived closer. I'd go on a thrift hunt with her any day! But Rubyellen is also fantastic at making her own clothes!

And clothing for her sweet little girls!

Says Rubyellen, "I love making things and this blog originally intended to just document our everyday crafting, but it has turned into so much more. It has become a family journal of sorts, more rather a personal journal, that documents how I try to enjoy each aspect of my life and how I can love God through it. I once was a teacher, but went into early retirement because it has always been my dream to be a stay home mom."

She's also super talented at hand embroidery!

 Rubyellen's life certainly does seem like a dream! Check out her etsy shop for a taste of it!

 Thank you Rubyellen for joining me in Free Pattern Month on Grosgrain! I'm completely delighted to share your inspiration with my readers.

Rubyellen, please take it away....

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Hello Grosgrain readers!!! I am Rubyellen from Cakies and I am delighted to be able to share with you a fun tutorial on how to make the A-frame tent. I am sure your kids will be squealing in delight once they see what you whipped out for them!

Drawn pattern for reference:

Materials for the A-frame:

4- 1'' x 2'' x 48'' whitewood moulding

1- 3/4'' x 48'' poplar dowel

drill with a 3/4'' spade bit

measuring tape

pencil (marker)

(I was going to use the twine to make sure the mouldings stayed in place, but I no longer needed to because the hole already had such a tight grip on the dowel).

1. From the top of each of the 4 mouldings, measure and mark 6'' down with your pencil.

2. With your drill and 3/4'' spade bit, drill a hole at your mark. Try to center the hole on your moulding.

3. Place 2 mouldings on top of each other, make sure the holes are lined up.

4. Push dowel through the holes of the two mouldings. The hole should have a pretty tight grip and keep the dowel in place.

5. Repeat step 4 and put together the other side with the two remaining mouldings.

Materials for tent cover:

- fabric large enough to cover frame (approx. 46'' x 85.5'' un-hemmed; 44'' x 83.5'' hemmed)

- coordinating thread

- elastic

- scissors

1. Hem the perimeter of the rectangular fabric using a straight stitch with a 1/2'' hem. Desired size of the cover is 44'' x 83.5''.

2. Cut 4- 5'' inch elastic strips.

3. Fold elastic over and pin in place at each corner of the tent cover.

4. Sew elastic onto the corner of the tent cover. Repeat with the remaining 3 corners.

5. Drape cover over the A-frame and loop elastic to the bottom of wooden tent leg.

6. Arrange and straighten fabric cover. Then, spread frame to desired height and width of tent opening. Call your kids over and enjoy!!!

This tent can easily be taken apart and stored, since there are no screws or nails involved. In addition, the tent cover is easy enough to recreate in different patterns. It is a great place for reading, napping, and pretending, but most importantly making memories! I am already thinking this will be my go-to birthday gift as I am sure this would be loved very much. Don't you think?!!

Thank you Kathleen for having me as your guest! I look forward to your many more posts that will continue to inspire and awe all of us in the blogosphere!!! 

Thank you Rubyellen for sharing another whimsical pattern with us! Your blog makes me want to drop everything and make a tent for my daughter's bedroom or a costume for their dress up chest. Your life is always inspiring me. Congratulations on your newest addition to come:)

Stay tuned tomorrow for Jaime & Jacinda of Prudent Baby!

Spread the word! It's a 30 day FREE for all!

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