ABOUT OUR TIPIS

quality takes time...

Our tipis are entirely hand-made - we make no compromises on quality and authenticity. At certain times of year, demand is so high that it can take weeks to meet your order. So to avoid disappointment, please order well in advance! If you want your tipi in time for the spring sunshine, it's best to get in touch in the autumn - then you'll be at the head of the queue!

typical uses

There's no such thing! Our tipis are used as homes and shelters, as well as for camping, touring, parties, workshops, storytelling, festivals, music sessions, weddings, group-building, alternative therapies, crafts and retreats. More...

materials

• cover - All our tipi covers and linings are made from heavy-duty, 12oz coated cotton tenting canvas.
  
• lining - Our linings are 6ft in height as standard. A tipi without a lining is cold and draughty. The lining cuts out draughts below the cover, and creates an updraught which pulls the smoke up out of the smoke hole.
• poles - Our poles are cut from local sustainably managed plantations, using timbers such as Norway spruce, Sitka spruce and Scots pine when available. The straightest poles are selected, hand stripped and sanded to a silky smooth finish.
• extras - All our tipis come complete with lacing pins, pegs, ropes, door cover and storage bags.

design & construction

• 3-pole Sioux design - Our tipis follow the traditional design of the Sioux 3-pole construction. The 3-pole tipi has a smaller configuration of poles at the apex, which reduces the size of the hole allowing rain in.
• stitching/finishing - Our tipis are triple reinforced at the lifting tongue and have added patches around the hem of the cover where the peg loops are attached.
• pegs/lacing pins - Our pegs are whittled mainly from ash saplings. Lacing pins are stripped and sanded by hand using hazel or willow. All items are superbly finished.
• cover painting - Our tipis can be hand painted by Moy, who has a BA Hons degree in printed textiles from Glasgow School of Art. She works from your ideas and specifications, and supplies designs in advance. We use acrylic paints which are permanent once dry. Designs may range from animals and dream ideas to North American symbolism and patterns.
• DIY painting - Some customers choose to paint their own tipi. Originally, tipi designs were derived through dreams. We recommend that you give your tipi design a lot of thought and make up your design on a paper template to give you a good idea of how it will look like once the tipi is erected. It's much easier to paint the tipi flat on the ground.

what size?

Sizes refer to the average diameter of the floor space.

• 10 ft - mini tipi or garden shelter, can be supplied with a lining for camping.
• 14 ft - good home for 1 or 2 people, camping, garden, or retreat.
• 16 ft - ideal for couple or small family, sleeps 4 comfortably.
• 18 ft - family size tipi, sleeps 6 comfortably.
• 21 ft - large tipi, suitable for social gatherings, festivals, workshop venue for storytelling, weddings, group work. Sleeps at least 8 comfortably.
• 23 ft - as above. Sleeps 10-12, and sometimes even more!

Larger sizes can be made to order - please call for details.