How to Make a Fabric Sandbox Playhouse

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Does the playset in your backyard include a square sandbox with posts? Turn that unused space into a charming fabric playhouse your kids will love to play in! In this DIY video tutorial, we'll teach you how to make this easy-to-sew fabric playhouse and how to install it on your playset.

Video Chapters:

Measuring Structure
Creating Hems and/or Reinforcement Edges
Sewing Edges
Making Clear Vinyl Windows
Sewing Zippered Door Opening
Installing a Zippered Door Opening
Adding Appliqués
Sewing Appliqué Plaques On
Installing Snaps
Adding Roll-Up Straps
Materials & Tools List

Materials List:

Shelter-Rite^® Black 61" Fabric #1120121
Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery (50 yds.) #104167
Top Notch^® 1S Caribbean Blue 60" Fabric #121802
Top Notch^® 9 Polyester Bias Binding Tape Black 1" #120940
Plastipane 20 Gauge 54" Vinyl Window Material #283201
Top Notch^® 9 Polyester Bias Binding Tape White #120937
Lenzip^® #5 Black Style C Double Non-Locking Metal Zipper Pull (Coil Chain) #125119
Lenzip^® #5 Royal Blue Continuous Coil Zipper Chain #124702
Binding Black 3/4"
Sailrite Snap Fastener Cloth-to-Surface Set 3/8" Screw #666002
1" Blue Polyester Webbing #100PLLWBL-FT
DOT^® Snap Fastener Button 1/4" (Nickel-Plated Brass) #333010

Tools List:

Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" #102400
Grease Marking Pencil Yellow #111002
Professional Stainless Steel 10" Scissors #123615
Scribe-All^® Black Marking Pencil for Vinyl #121977
Sailrite^® Ultrafeed^® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine #311602
Sailrite^® Ultrafeed^® Collapsible Sewing Table #104821
Sailrite^® 1" Swing-Away Binder #100103
Sailrite^® Edge Cordless Hotknive 18V Package #122177
Seam Ripper Deluxe #18104
303^® Multi-Surface Cleaner 32 oz. (Quart) #30553
Easy Fit Kit in Waterproof Box - Snap Positioning System #102565
Pres-N-Snap Installation Tool #109011
Scribe-All^® Water Soluble White Marking Pencil #120681
Magnetic Sewing Guide #102983
Sailrite^® Drill Hole Cutter 1/8" #121817
Sailrite^® Cutting Block & Die Holder #121597
Tape Measure, Drill

Our fabric playhouse is made up of four fabric panels that snap to the playset’s wooden frame using snap fasteners and screw studs. The panels feature windows, a zippered door opening, a zippered window, and fun and colorful appliqués. Flowerpots, flower boxes, shutters and cats add a playful and whimsical look to this DIY fabric playhouse that your kids will love!

Don't let the size and scope of this project intimidate you! Even a beginner sewer can make this fabric playhouse. In the video, we’ll show you how to take your own playset measurements and then add the seam allowances and hems to create panels that fit your structure perfectly.

During the course of this project video, you'll learn several important sewing skills you'll be able to apply to future projects. Some of the techniques you'll learn include:

How to sew vinyl window material.
How to sew binding.
How to sew a curved zipper.
How to sew small appliqué pieces and take tight corners.
And more!

DIY Fabric Playhouse 4 — A curved zipper creates a window opening in one panel so your kids can play

restaurant!

Let's talk about fabric choices. We wanted an outdoor canvas fabric that has excellent water, UV and abrasion resistance so we can leave the fabric playhouse installed year-round. We chose Top Notch® 1S for our fabric panels. This solution-dyed polyester fabric has a clear urethane coating one one side, which gives it superior water resistance. It also boasts excellent dimensional stability — an important feature for our project.

Watch the video to learn how to make your own fabric playhouse! Below you'll find the link to download the appliqué templates. You can use our appliqués or create your own designs like butterflies, birds and more.

Download the Templates

Are you excited to make your own fabric playhouse? See the complete list of materials and tools used to make this project. You can find all your sewing and DIY supplies right here at Sailrite.

We'd love to see photos of your finished fabric playhouses! Tag #Sailrite on social media so we can see your creativity and DIY talent!