Tuesday, January 12, 2010

a cozy little space



I love small, cozy spaces, and have been dreaming about creating one for my kiddos. I have had this vision in my head for a handmade playhouse made out of fabric, and here it is! I talked my husband into building a frame, which he did out of pvc piping, and after a few adjustments to the size, (yes, he was a sport!) it was just right. What's neat about this house we created is that you can take the piping apart, just like big tinker toys, which my son loves to do. The house is sewn as one big piece so it's really easy to get on & off, and washable if necessary. I am new to sewing so piecing it all together was a bit of challenge for me, but I am so excited about the results! Here's a little peak...



















I'm not sure who is having more fun playing in it... I just might like to move in!

80 comments:

  1. You are SEW clever! (tee, hee)

    Can't believe you are new to sewing. This is just amazing! If ever I come to visit I would like tea in the playhouse, please!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is AMAZING! It would be wonderful if you would consider posting a tutorial, or just let us know what challenges / issues you faced and your solutions. I'm totally stealing this idea, btw. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is great. Do you have a sewing pattern for this?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gosh! Thanks so much for your sweet words. This was my first go at it, so we did it off the cuff without a pattern. I would love to help you create your own playhouse and will definitely consider creating a tutorial in the near future. Feel free to contact me with any questions at all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be great to have the measurements of the PVC to have an idea as to how to put the frame together. You did a fantastic job on the cover.

      Delete
  5. I love this! I'm so glad I came here! And look at those sweet little bumcakes!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You should sell this with your hairpins on etsy! I'm sure moms would pay a TON for it! :D super cute. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. The picture of your daughter cooking is just ADORABLE!!! I love this playhouse, absolutely beautiful! Can you provide some rough dimensions (height, width, etc.)?
    Thanks so much, you've inspired me!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This looks like so much fun! And I would love to know the dimensions because I'm thinking this would be great for Easter.... Maybe the E. Bunny would be open to bringing this instead of sweets....

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is incredibly AWESOME. I've wanted to build something portable for my girls and was thinking maybe a tee-pee, but this is WAY cooler.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks so, so much for taking the time to comment. I appreciate them all! So here are the dimensions for the playhouse:

    70" h (from top to bottom)
    45" h (from bottom to roof line)
    50" side length (front & back)
    45" side length (sides)

    I hope this helps! If anyone creates a playhouse, PLEASE do send photos along, as I'd love to see it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi! Quick question: How did you attach the walls to the roof? I'm talking about the fabric, not the pipes. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi! First, I put the roof together as one piece, then the walls were sewn as another big piece. I pinned the two together along the horizontal pvc piping line a bit above the scallops on the roof and sewed it all together. It took two of us to get the pinning right so grab a partner! I hope this helps!

    ReplyDelete
  13. what a wonderful toy to make for your kids! and SO much better than the ready-made option... LOVE it! thanks for the ideas and comments on how you accomplished this.
    Shelley K

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful Job! I haven't sewn for years, but I feel inspired to try to make a little house now.
    I've seen some felt card table cover ones, but they seemed too small, and I like the frame you built.

    ReplyDelete
  15. oh thank you so much! so happy you are inspired!

    ReplyDelete
  16. So cute, I love it!! I just saw this over at ohdeedoh, great work!

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is so adorable! Went to home depot today for PVC and they don't sell the connection that comes out in 3 pieces that you used on all 4 corners of the house. The only thing that they had was a converter to change the pipe size. Am i looking at it wrong? what did ya'll use! Thanks for the amazing idea, i have been thinking about making forts with my son since he was in my belly, so i cant wait to make this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you have a Lowes go there! I went to Home Depot and had the same problem. It's called a side outlet elbow. Look on pinterest under pvc playhouse for the directions to put the pvc part together.

      Delete
    2. Home depot worked out just fine for me!

      Delete
    3. Hi. I'm having the same problem. It's because of something to do with UK plumbing regulations - they don't sell them over here. What did you do in the end?

      Delete
  18. Glenjenny ~ You are looking at it correctly & that's so strange Home Depot doesn't sell the 3-piece pvc part. Hmmm... is there another hardware store you can visit in town? I'd love to see images when you make yours! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was inspired to do this before I found your post today. I also have not been able to find the 3pc corner PVC part at Home Depot. Is that where you got yours?

      Delete
    2. Hi Sephia! We got ours at a local hardware store in Boulder called McGuckin. http://www.mcguckin.com/ Hope this helps!

      Delete
    3. IM GONNA USE BOLTS TO PUT THE END WITH AN EXTRA ELL(THE UPRIGHTS TO THE HORIZONTIALS). IT SHOULDNT MATTER AS FOR AS TAKING IT APART.

      Delete
  19. do you have the directions for the PVC part?

    ReplyDelete
  20. I don't have specific directions for the PVC. Sorry! :( I solicited my husband to build the frame & then I measured the fabric once it was built to the right size. The first time he put it together, it was too big so we (I should say 'he'!) cut all the pieces to a better size. He was a trooper! We really did it by feel as opposed to exact measurements, and you'll be able to do the same once you see the frame put together. I hope this helps!

    ReplyDelete
  21. That is so TOTALLY Cute!! Can I copy? I mu
    st have this!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'd love for you to make one too Famr_4evr! I'd be flattered. :) Please send me photos when you do!

    ReplyDelete
  23. How wonderful! I am hoping to make a house for my daughter's birthday next month!

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is fabulous. I can't believe you did this with newbie sewing skills! Makes me confident to try making one myself! Do you have a template/pattern you used for the flowers and other embellishments?

    Tammi
    Having Fun K-1

    TammiL(dot)13(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ali,

    I created your masterpiece, minus the cute sewn cover.

    I added the pvc dimensions of people need them. My husband is sooo good to me.

    http://www.angryjuliemonday.com/2011/08/01/pvc-pipe-fort-tutorial/

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you SO much Julie for writing those wonderful instructions & sharing them here! ~xo

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh my! That's SUPER cute! I LOVE it!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love it! We made a plain rectangular tent the same way, but wow. This is 50 times cuter.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I adore this and will have to try to do one for the kids. So wonderful. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  30. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your hubby should type up a tutorial or make some up to sell, people will buy these and Christmas is coming soon, you are sure to be a hit.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Just picked up our pvc and attachments...my hubby and I are do this project for our kiddos and can't wait to show the pics to ya! Thanks for the great idea and including the measurements you used as it saved us a ton of time at Home Depot today.

    ReplyDelete
  33. We are making one for my kids for Christmas. Such a great idea. The pvc pipe is done, now for the sewing...glad I have a month and a half to figure it out!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Love this thanks for sharing. My husband and I are going to make this for the kids for Christmas. It is going to be so much better then the forts they try to make and get frustrated with because they keep falling down.

    ReplyDelete
  35. My husband and I built a PVC house back in July and we've been using a tablecloth.. but "Santa" is planning to turn it into a firehouse for Christmas morning. I'm still trying to figure out the sewing part but hopefully it will come together. If it does, I'll email you.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Very cute.. Love it.. now to get sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I just found this on Pinterest and am building something very similar... but bigger for a stage set. Would you mind sending me the measurements or at least the different pieces needed to create the tent? asmalley@stonebridgeonline.net

    ReplyDelete
  38. Aannastly ~ please see below for measurements & would love to see your finished product!

    70" h (from top to bottom)
    45" h (from bottom to roof line)
    50" side length (front & back)
    45" side length (sides)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for posting the measurements. This is a totally clever creative idea and I love the cover you made for the house!

      Delete
  39. I wanted to share my house that we made because of your inspiration. I just started a blog and posted about the house today. Thank you!
    http://raisinglittledisciples.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for sharing Kaylee! Terrific!

      Delete
  40. My daughter loves to play on our covered deck...I wonder if I could use some sort of all weather fabric on this for outdoor use. Going to have to try it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh do let me know if you try it. What a fabulous idea!

      Delete
  41. I would love to do this, but I have never sewed befor :( My little girl would love this haha lets face it, I would too :P

    ReplyDelete
  42. this is so totally C-U-T-E!!!!!! cant wait to do it

    ReplyDelete
  43. I would love to make the frame. Can you provide measurements? I will ask a home store to cut them for me. Thanks. Debbie deborahchapman@mindspring.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here are the general measurements so I hope this helps!

      70" h (from top to bottom)
      45" h (from bottom to roof line)
      50" side length (front & back)
      45" side length (sides)

      Delete
  44. The three outlet corner pvc pipe fittings are called "side outlet elbows" and need to be SSS or slip slip slip - which means all outlets are for pipe to slip into. (Some are SST with thread (T) on one oulet for a garden sprinkler riser to screw into - SST's will not work for this.)

    ReplyDelete
  45. I tried to pull up the tutorial you put together, but it seems the link is no longer valid. Is there some way I can get the tutorial.
    Judy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We actually never put together a tutorial. I wish we had! See above for general house measurements.

      Delete
  46. I would like a list of the materials used please. Pvc pipes and corners. Thank you. Kristee
    Kbernd@usd353.com
    I am thinking about making one of these for a readers area in my classroom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please see above for some general measurements. How FUN to make this for a reading corner. Fabulous idea!

      Delete
  47. Do you have the measurements for the frame? How tall is it and how wide and what is the length of it? That is sew cute and you did an excellent job o it . I have some great grands that would love this to have something to do.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I love this...gonna make for my grand daughter. I found this tutorial.....http://www.angryjuliemonday.com/2011/08/01/pvc-pipe-fort-tutorial/

    ReplyDelete
  49. I am so making this for a Christmas gift for my 6, 5 and 1 year old! This christmas is all about saving $!

    ReplyDelete
  50. i used pvc ells and bolted a cap onto it. it does the same thing as a sxsxs ell. i made mine out of 1/2" pvc and made it smaller. its 3x3x3 or 36" square. you can set it up in their room or take it to grandma's.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hi, how do you get the directions to make this? Would love to make it for my daughters 5th birthday. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  52. This is just the cutest thing I ever saw!

    ReplyDelete
  53. what size pipe is used?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1" thin wall will work. I made mine last night.

      Delete
  54. What a great idea, and hours of inside play on these cold winter days. I would love for you to share this idea on my linky party, my readers will LOVE this idea!
    http://www.fivelittlechefs.com/2013/01/fantastic-thursday-27.html

    ReplyDelete
  55. wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

    it's wonderful!

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  56. Do you have directions for the fabric part of the playhouse? Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  57. I think ill use velcro strips im not good at sewing

    ReplyDelete
  58. I like the idea that this comes apart! You could even make additional covers for different seasons or holidays! Thank-you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I have never bought PVC before. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure for how much the frame for this will cost me? Can you cut the PVC at home or will I have to get them to do it at the store?

    ReplyDelete
  60. this blog looks like roofing sheets Heaven.there is a many types of roofing sheets like Color Coated Roofing Sheets , Pre Painted Roofing Sheets , Galvanized Roofing Sheets, Metal Roofing Sheets, Steel Roofing Sheets, Industrial Roofing Sheets, Pre Coated Roofing Sheets.thanks for sharing such an interesting blog with us.keep on posting.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Wow, love it! What a great idea - piping! I'd love to make one, too! Your sewing part is amazing!!! Superb job!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  62. parabens lindo trabalho,voce mesmo sortuda por morar neste pais maravilhoso,visite meu blog. http://stilopink.blogspot.com. beijos

    ReplyDelete
  63. This is SO wonderful! I've been searching Pinterest for something just like this...thank you!! I'm hoping to build a grown up one to have a campout in the living room for our anniversary. :) I'm sure the kids will get use out of it too! :)

    ReplyDelete