Tent Weaving
Wrap, weave, and build a place to sit together
The Set Up
Think simple structure first. You are building a frame that invites wrapping and weaving and gathering underneath. We use extra large cardboard tubes from fabric rolls. You can arrange three as a tripod, or four in a pyramid, or five in more of a circle. The only real requirement is that it feels steady and leaves enough space inside to sit!
Here is what we learned. As kids wrap wool around and around, tension pulls the tubes inward. The frame can start to get a little bit too small. To solve that we anchored each tube onto short wooden legs and fixed those legs into a sturdy plank base using angled (furniture) brackets. Then we slid the cardboard tubes down over the legs so each tube stayed upright and didn't drift. If you don't have brackets or timber you can still build a temporary lean to style hideout by wedging the tubes into heavy buckets or large plant pots filled with sand or stones. Or just keep things a-la-natural and let the tubes move and shift as the artists weave.
Set out baskets of wool, string, ribbon, fabric strips, beads, feathers.
And all that's left is to invite them in!
The Making
As kids wrap and weave and pull, gaps close, colours build, and it turns from loose poles into a real hideout in minutes. The collaboration is just pure magic.
Variations
Hang a small light or torch inside and turn it into a night camp
Weave in found natural materials like leaves and long grasses for an outdoor version
Keep adding across a full week so it evolves with the group
Materials
Extra large cardboard tubes from fabric rolls
Sturdy base solution such as a plank with brackets and short wooden legs, or heavy buckets filled with sand or stones
Thick wool, string, ribbon, fabric strips
Beads and feathers
Scissors
Flashlight or torch for inside play
Back to Top
Tent Weaving
Wrap, weave, and build a place to sit together
Bookmark
Installations
The Set Up
Think simple structure first. You are building a frame that invites wrapping and weaving and gathering underneath. We use extra large cardboard tubes from fabric rolls. You can arrange three as a tripod, or four in a pyramid, or five in more of a circle. The only real requirement is that it feels steady and leaves enough space inside to sit!
Here is what we learned. As kids wrap wool around and around, tension pulls the tubes inward. The frame can start to get a little bit too small. To solve that we anchored each tube onto short wooden legs and fixed those legs into a sturdy plank base using angled (furniture) brackets. Then we slid the cardboard tubes down over the legs so each tube stayed upright and didn't drift. If you don't have brackets or timber you can still build a temporary lean to style hideout by wedging the tubes into heavy buckets or large plant pots filled with sand or stones. Or just keep things a-la-natural and let the tubes move and shift as the artists weave.
Set out baskets of wool, string, ribbon, fabric strips, beads, feathers.
And all that's left is to invite them in!
The Making
As kids wrap and weave and pull, gaps close, colours build, and it turns from loose poles into a real hideout in minutes. The collaboration is just pure magic.
Variations
Hang a small light or torch inside and turn it into a night camp
Weave in found natural materials like leaves and long grasses for an outdoor version
Keep adding across a full week so it evolves with the group
Materials
Extra large cardboard tubes from fabric rolls
Sturdy base solution such as a plank with brackets and short wooden legs, or heavy buckets filled with sand or stones
Thick wool, string, ribbon, fabric strips
Beads and feathers
Scissors
Flashlight or torch for inside play
Back to Top
Add this to your favourites
Add this to your favourites
Thoughts?
Would love to hear if youv'e tried this or have any ideas on how to make it even better!
