news - summer 2013 - appliglue tent

A couple of tips and techniques to help you on your way

Cover the surface and your clothes before starting!

The tent can be any shape you wish it to be. I made it this shape because my grandchildren have a tree with a good branch at the right height in the garden. Here are some other ideas for you:
If it rains! A Bunk Bed. Take one long strip the right size. Make holes in the top with any colour or clear appliglue (see below), and when dry, tie around the bunk bed. Add windows and a door
Jungle Gym. Take one long strip the right size. Make holes in the top (see below) with any colour or clear appliglue and when dry, tie to the jungle gym . Create the roof in the same way.
If you have two trees or posts that you can tie a rope to, throw a sheet over it and use the appliglue to create windows. Decorate it.
For the door and windows, draw a double line with enough of a gap between the lines to cut. Once cut the fabric acts as a fray check.
On the tent above there is a flower window, but you could have:
A window: Draw 2 or 4 little squares and a big one around them. Cut out the inside of the squares
A funky asymetrical shape

Let your imagination fly, have fun, and send us your photographs. What's more you can wash the tent!


Draw circles with appliglue. Here I used purple. Draw a line along the edge where you wish to cut. I think in retrospect I could have made even smaller holes.	Nip the inside of the hole and cut out the centre. Cut off the spare fabric along the edge. Here I created a wavy line for fun. The fabric won't fray now.	Add whatever shapes you wish, be it flowers, butterflies or animals. Dab the clear appliglue along the inside edge, and if the piece is very big sometimes it helps to put a couple of scratches and squiggles in the centre. Turn over and press down.	Here I've used the lazy technique. The piece was pinned to the base fabric. Remove the pin and dab the appliglue around the edge. Then press it down. Move further around removing the next pin until the entire piece had been glued down.

Initially, pin the pieces in position. Then glue them down with the clear appliglue	After that, the shapes can be edged and finished off with a coloured appliglue. Use a similar colour or a completely contrasting colour. This always looks good but is not necessary	If you need to make a seam, just dab the appliglue down the edge. The amount will be determined by the thickness of the fabric. Don't use more than you need. Remember, you can always add it afterwards if you've missed a bit.	Then place the edge of the other piece of fabric over the appliglued edge and press down. Leave to dry.

________________________________________________________________