Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred

4

THE PVC TEEPEE

A good indoor/outdoor play tent can easily keep toddlers and early elementary-age kids busy for hours. While store-bought tents are usually made of flimsy nylon, which will eventually disintegrate after hours of exposure to the sun, this teepee is made from durable, easy-to-clean cotton canvas, has enough heft that a stiff breeze can’t send it into the hedge, and is supported by a cheap and easy-to-replace frame; there is nothing sadder than a broken-backed pop-up playhouse slumped forlornly in the back yard.

There are two secrets to fast-and-dirty sewing: folding and pressing. Properly folded material can be cut quickly, without measuring and re-measuring in a fruitless attempt to keep pieces matching and symmetrical. Pressing ...