Tipis are great for Schools, Day Care, Outings, Gatherings, Talking circles, Back Yards, Camp outs, Powwows, Teaching aids, Weddings, Extra guest room, Temporary or Permanent housing, Movie rooms, Hunting, BBQ and serving area, Parties, Play houses and much more I'm sure. Friends of mine even gave birth to a child in a Tipi I made for them.

WHY DO I MAKE A BETTER TIPI?

Nylon straps are used instead of cotton. All Seams are DOUBLE LOCK STITCHED with 100% Acrylic thread unlike ALL other tipis that are chain stitched with cotton or nylon and pull out very easily, just like the top of a potato sack. All my tipis are made from 12 oz. single fill industrial grade Natural Cotton Duck Fabric, Any and all fabrics treated for fire proofing and water proofing are not only costly but the treatments don't last. This is why I never use treated fabrics.

I also make Liners. Look for pricing for Tipi covers and liners below.

Here is a video sent to us by one of our customers

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I recommend to everyone that asks to call there local Parks Department before buying them from a Pole farm. Ask the park department if you purchase or be issued a permit to fell your own poles. Tell them you need a light wood like Pine, Spruce or Ash. You'll have to put a little work into cleaning them up but you will save a bunch. There are a few places on the internet that will sell you poles for about $300.00 a set, Try to find the place closest to where you live.

NEED TO MAKE YOUR TIPI POLES EASIER TO HAUL

If you plan to be transporting your tipi poles often but feel that they are too long to carry on your vehicle, here is an excellent solution. Tipi poles can easily be sleeved together in the middle using plastic PVC pipe. Use "schedule 40" PVC pipe that is 1-1/2" in diameter and 16" long. (Longer for 24' to 30' poles.) Cut the poles in half and carefully taper the cut ends so that they fit snugly into one-half of the sleeve.

A draw knife is the best tool for the job. Don't worry if you accidentally shave an end a bit too much. A snug fit can be easily created using one or two wraps around the pole with duck tape. Tap the PVC sleeve half way down on one of the prepared pole ends for each individual pole and the job is done.

The length of the poles should be 4' to 5' longer than the diameter of the tipi.
Open the cover out flat, right side up (the smoother side of the seam is the right side). Select 3 (4 poles) of the strongest poles for the tripod. One pole is laid on the cover, with the butt end next to the door (4 Poles-one pole will be on either side of the door opening) even with the bottom hem and the other end extending past the tie between the smoke flaps. The other two are laid on the cover, side by side, approximately one-third of the distance around the bottom of the cover. Once again the butt end is even with the hem and the other end extending past the tie at the top. Tie the three (4) poles together at a point approximately 15" above the point where the poles cross each other. The poles should be tied together firmly, but not extremely tight. When the tripod (4) is set up, the knot will tighten and if it is too tight, the result could be broken poles. The poles should be tied with a rope long enough to reach the ground plus 4' or 5' extra, so that it can be staked down in the center of the tipi in the event of strong winds. The tripod (4) is then set up by walking under the poles. Spread the tripod (4) apart so the ends are spread evenly in the approximate diameter of the tipi. Starting at the front, stack the rest of the poles in the crotch at the top. Save two of the longest poles for the smoke flaps and leave one pole out directly opposite the door. Take hold of the rope hanging down from the tripod poles and walk with it to the outside of the frame. Walk the rope around the circumference of the tipi poles three times to wrap all the poles together at the crotch. The remaining length of rope should then be brought back inside the frame and staked to the ground at the center. The cover should now be rolled up from both side to the center, having the tie at the top exposed. Slide a pole under the cover and tie the pole to the cover, using the tie at the top. The butt of the poles should be even with the bottom of the cover. Have someone hold the butt end to the ground and lift the pole and cover into the open spot left at the back of the frame. Unroll the cover around the frame. Starting at the top, put sticks in the holes that hold the front of the cover together. The left side goes over the right side. Stake the bottom out and adjust the poles so the cover lays smooth. Put the ends of the two remaining poles in the pockets (or slits) provided at the top corners of the smoke flaps.

ATTACHING THE DOOR FLAP

Use three round pieces of wood cut at 3 sizes, #1 (top) at 3' , #2 (center) 4'-5' and #3 (bottom) at 5'-6'. Tie a piece of rope about 5 feet long on one side the two top loops, even up wood inside pocket, fold back top ends evenly on both ends towards tipi. Use the rope around the one of the lacepins to attach the door so the weight of the bottom rest inside the two stakes at bottom of tipi entrance.

One of the most common problems that occur in canvas is mildew.  Even if the tipi is made of a fabric that is mildew resistant, it will mildew if left damp.  Mildew is very destructive to cotton fabrics as well as other materials.  Mildew usually forms when tipis are put in storage when damp but it can also start for no apparent reason.  Mildew can start in a very short time and under certain conditions of humidity and temperature.  If mildew has started to grow, it can be stopped from spreading by thoroughly drying the tent, preferably in the hot sun. If you cant do that, here is a something my Grandmother taught me, Take a bottle cap of bleach mixed with 16ozs of water mixed in a spray bottle. Spray effected area to kill the fungus, Apply as needed.Yes it works!

WATER PROOFING YOUR TIPI
Use one gallon of Thompsons waterseal mixed with 1 pint of mineral spirits, There are two kind of spirits, A dark one and a clear one. The dark spirits make the canvas looks like cow hide almost and the clear gives it more of a buckskin / Braintan look. Both are fine to use. This will cover up to a 16 foot tipi, you'll need more for larger tipis. You'll need a GOOD pressure sprayer, The same kind you'd use to weed your yard or fertilize the grass. You can get all of this at a hardware / garden supply store. Lay out your tipi cover on flat ground and spray evenly over inter tipi, straps and smoke flaps, Let it dry for about 6 hours. Try to do this so you'll have time to set it up after 6 hours and then let it air out over night. This treatment will last about 2 years even if you leave it up all year round. Repeat as needed.