Get a dozen slender poles about as large around as a broom-stick, and twice and one-half as tall as yourself. Tie three poles securely together near the tops and stack the others around the first three as a foundation or framework for the house. Settle each pole firmly in the ground, forming a circle, and bring the tops together at the centre, where each pole should form a support for the others, and all should lean against and across each other; then bind all the poles together at the top of the framework ([Fig. 505]). Covers of real wigwams are usually cut to fit the framework and often decorated in savage fashion. Sometimes they are composed of skins of wild beasts. If you can make yours in Indian style, it will be very realistic and lots of fun. Find some inexpensive dull-brown or gray outing cloth or Canton flannel and sew several lengths together. [Fig. 506] gives the pattern of a wigwam covering, and the dotted lines enclosing B-B-B-B show how the breadths are sewed together. C is the chimney-opening where the poles come through at the top. O is one of the flaps held back with an extra pole; D, one of the lower front sides folded over for the door-way. The dotted line A indicates the slit to be cut for the chimney-flap. The two chimney-flaps can be brought together for protection when necessary. Along the curved edge of the blank side of the diagram ([Fig. 506]) holes are shown for the wooden stakes to be used in pinning the wigwam to the ground. The holes must be continued along the entire edge of the covering.
Fig. [506].—Cover for playhouse wigwam.
Cut Your Wigwam
similar to diagram ([Fig. 506]), making an immense cape-like affair. Try the covering over the framework of poles; if it fits fairly well, hem the raw edges and bind the small, round holes cut at intervals in the lower edge, to prevent them from tearing. When finished tie each of the two top points to a separate pole. Ask someone to assist you and let the two poles be raised at the same time to the top of the Wigwam framework; in this way the entire upper part of the covering may be hoisted in place; then the sides can be spread out and adjusted. Indians, having no chimneys, always leave quite a large opening at the top of their wigwams to serve this purpose; the space also admits light into their houses. Commence near the top at the place where the flaps are cut, and pin the fronts together with large thorns or sharp-pointed slender sticks. Fasten the fronts to within a few feet of the ground. The opening left at the bottom takes the place of a door. Sharpen as many wooden pegs as there are holes in the bottom of the covering and push a peg through each hole into the ground, bending the pegs outward a little in order to keep the tent-like covering from slipping off the tops of the pegs. The two poles attached to the chimney points must now be carried backward on each side of the wigwam, to be brought forward again when desired ([Fig. 507]). When other material is lacking, shawls, bedspreads, or sheets pinned together may be used for your wigwam-cover.
Fig. [507].—Your wigwam playhouse.
With a large-sized Japanese umbrella, a breadth of cloth, a stick, and some straw you can make an
