The spelling of the word Teepee varies throughout North America, you may see Teepee, Tee Pee, Tepee or Tipi. The word is derived from the Lakota Sioux word tipistola. In Canada the anglicized variation Teepee is most commonly used.
The Plains Indian Teepee pattern is cut in the shape of a half circle with two smoke flaps attached near the center. When a Teepee is erected it forms a cone shape with straight overlapping edges held together with lacing pins below the extended smoke flaps at the front of the Teepee. A double row of stitch reinforced buttonholes run up the double canvas overlapped strip for the lacing pins. The row of buttonholes on the inside strip will be slightly closer together than those in the outside strip. The smoke flaps can be styled for the slight variations used by the Cheyenne, Sioux, Crow and Blackfoot. Cheyenne style are standard and are the most weather proof.
The door opening is cut out in an oval shape half out of each edge strip so that when the edges are brought together a complete oval door opening is formed. The door cover provided with the Teepee cover is made of rectangular shaped double layer canvas turned in on edges and hemmed. Three willows or saplings about 3/4" diameter are inserted through three pocket hems to stiffen the door cover and support it across the door opening. Webbing ties for hanging and closing the door cover are double stitched into the top and bottom corners and at center points.
Three cornered canvas pockets are sewn to the tips of the smoke flaps for the smoke flap poles. Reinforcing pieces of canvas are sewn to points where extra strain is expected, on the smoke flaps.
Teepee Sizing Chart
Teepee "SIZE" is average size of the floor diameter. The floor shape in a properly set up Teepee is not round, but oval or egg shaped. The distance measured from the inside of the front door pole to the inside of the back lifting pole will be roughly one foot less than radius of the pattern and the side to side measurement will be slightly less than the front to back. Tip: For accurate size comparison of various Teepees check the pattern style, radius dimension of the pattern and compare finished weights of canvas Teepee covers of comparable materials.
TEEPEE SPECIFICATIONS:
We provide competitively priced, high quality teepees of superior workmanship using the authentic Plains Indian pattern. Our teepees are made-to-order in sizes ranging from Size 10' increasing in increments of 2' up to Size 24' maximum.
We classify a Size 12' Backyard Teepee as Extra Small, suitable for sleeping two single adults or children.
Size 14' Teepee is a small size shelter suitable for sleeping two to four adults with no inside open fire. This size of teepee was about the maximum size traditionally used by nomadic Plains Indians, before light weight canvas and horses became available for helping to move camp.
Size 16' Teepee has ample space for storage of camp gear and to sleep two adults comfortably with a small inside open fire or four adults with no center fire.
Size 18' Teepee provides a large camp shelter with space to sleep six adults or eight children without an open inside center fire or four adults with an inside fire.
Size 20' Teepee is Extra Large, suitable for a large family or for smaller group gatherings.
Size 22' and Size 24' Teepee are very large and suitable for a large family or for group gatherings. The larger Teepees are made of heavier 13 oz. Sunforger Canvas.
The Size 10' Teepee makes a great Teepee for display at Trade Shows, Parks and Museums. It can be made using the authentic Plains Indian pattern or with the inline door with a clear bottom opening (Wigwam style) for easy access instead of the cut oval opening. This Teepee can be used as a back yard playhouse or can be set up inside with 10 foot high room ceiling height.
Please e-mail for a firm price quotation for customized order. Each teepee order will be individually quoted, determined by the size of teepee and options specified. Prices are Canadian dollars, plus 5% GST.
Delivery time for custom made teepees is generally three to four weeks from date of order. Shipping costs are extra, we ship collect via Greyhound Courier Express within western Canada or pre-paid via UPS to eastern Canada or to the US. A non-refundable deposit of $100 CAD, payable by either Visa or MasterCard, is required when a teepee order is placed. Product satisfaction guaranteed.
Materials:
Canvas: Our Standard for Teepees from Size 10' to Size 18' is 10.38 oz. Sunforger 100% double-fill cotton FR Army Duck, a light weight, water repellent, mildew resistant and flame-retardant canvas. For larger Teepee covers, Size 20', Size 22' and Size 24' we use heavier weight 13 oz. canvas which has a 30% higher tear strength than 10.38 oz. canvas. We also recommend upgrading to 13 oz. canvas for winter camping and year round use. Other canvas options are available by special order.