Fig. [508].—African hut playhouse.
African Hut
Take the straw or hay and divide some of it into bunches twelve inches in length. Tie these all together in a long row, forming a straw fringe. Sew the fringe around the edge of the umbrella with a coarse needle and thread, allowing it to hang over and down. Overlap the first row with another straw fringe and continue to sew on row after row until the top is reached and the umbrella entirely covered; then fasten the handle securely to a sharp-pointed stick and plant it firmly in the ground. Measure the distance around the outer edge of the umbrella, not including the straw thatch, and cut the cloth long enough to reach around, leaving an open space for the door-way. Use more straw to cover the cloth completely and sew the straw on in overlapping layers lengthwise of the material. With safety-pins fasten the wall around the inner edge of the umbrella, pinning the cloth to little loops of tape you have tied at intervals over the ribs of the umbrella ([Fig. 508]).
Fig. [510].—Framework ready for floral tent.
Fig. [509].—Binding branch on forked stick.
Fig. [511].—Building the floral tent playhouse.
The