How to Make a Tipi

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With centuries of use, tipis are among the best, natural living spaces.
With centuries of use, tipis are among the best, natural living spaces.
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The strips of the canvas should be laid together like shingles.
The strips of the canvas should be laid together like shingles.
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When all strips are sewn together, locate the center of the longest strip.
When all strips are sewn together, locate the center of the longest strip.
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Trim and hem the front edges of the tent.
Trim and hem the front edges of the tent.
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Flat seams are best for the tipi openings.
Flat seams are best for the tipi openings.
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The reinforced stitching is essential to the structure of the tipi.
The reinforced stitching is essential to the structure of the tipi.
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The basic information for making the tipi cover.
The basic information for making the tipi cover.
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The floor plan of a properly pitched tipi is oval or egg shaped.
The floor plan of a properly pitched tipi is oval or egg shaped.
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Tipis are easily adaptable for summer heat, winter chill and everything in between.
Tipis are easily adaptable for summer heat, winter chill and everything in between.
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This illustration demonstrates how the Laubins transported their tipi poles. A version of this design should work for other cars.
This illustration demonstrates how the Laubins transported their tipi poles. A version of this design should work for other cars.

For more than 400 years, knowledgeable people have agreed that the Plains Indian tipi is absolutely the finest of all movable shelters. To the Indian  whose concept of life and religion was broader, deeper, richer and infinitely more unified than that of his white conqueror  the tipi was much more: both home and church, a sacred place of being and sharing with family, friends, nature and Man-Above.

Unfortunately, the white man  with a fragmented and neatly compartmented view of existence  found the all-encompassing Indian way literally “beyond understanding” and, therefore, of no consequence. This high-handed and naive judgment extended, of course, to the lodges of the Plains Indians.

In the “either-or” white mind, the tipi was flimsy and primitive when compared to a solid, substantial frame building. The fact that a tipi was bright, open, airy, warm, dry and easily transported over (and, therefore, a part of) all outdoors while the frame structure was  and largely remains  closed in, dark, poorly ventilated and rather pathetically rooted to one spot was completely beside the point to this schizoid way of thinking.

Luckily, our “civilized” appraisal of the Indian way is now going through some changes and that more reverent life style is increasingly understood and embraced by the new gentle people. As one result of this trend, the tipi is enjoying a sudden popularity.

The tipi is not the final answer for everyone, of course (even the Plains Indians built other structures), but it remains  time, money and labor vs. comfort, utility and versatility  probably the world’s most efficient shelter. If you’ve ever wanted one for camping, semi-permanent or even permanent living, here’s how to make it happen…

  • Published on Jan 1, 1970
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