zHammock w/ Side Tie-Outs aka "Mystery Hammock"

Please visit Risk's site for general insturctions on making a zHammock.

Well I finally got around to making a zHammock using the WalMart "Mystery" fabric, hence the name (some may say why I choose yellow fabric is the mystery:eek: :D ).

I made it from 2 x 60" wide and 10'10" long pieces of fabric and I ended up with a finished size of 56" wide and ~10.5'. Big comfy hammock. I used 3/4" webbing for the side tie-outs. The tie-outs were added at the point where the sides are sewn together as indicated by the sloppy red arrows in this pic:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...hammocksew.jpg
(This pic is from Risk's site)

I roll hemmed the sides only on each piece of fabric before I sewed them together. The webbing was sandwiched between the 2 pieces of fabric and then the sides were double stitched together.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...Hammock015.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...Hammock013.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...Hammock008.jpg
Opening for the pad:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...Hammock005.jpg
I haven't added the ridge line yet but I played around with the sag a little bit. Adding more sag really makes the hammock open up more. I will post some pics when I get the ridge line added.

that looks great... & secure.
nice job.

I fuond mine to be real comfortable, but I've got about a foot more length. I never considered the tie out option. What's the benefit (the newbie sheepishly asks)?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chezrad

I fuond mine to be real comfortable, but I've got about a foot more length. I never considered the tie out option. What's the benefit (the newbie sheepishly asks)?

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The first benefit is that it keeps the sides of the hammock open, giving you more room inside the hammock. More important is that is gives the hammock that asymmetrical shape. It's really easy to lie diagonally in this hammock. I only got to try it out for a few seconds, but it seems like this may be my favorite DIY hammock to date as far as comfort. I hope to do some extended tests with it this weekend.

The side tie-outs were a problem at first because when I first sewed(?) them on they were just loops. When you staked out the sides it would kinda fold the edge of the hammock over. I just flipped the loops down and hand sewed them with the Kevlar thread. Now the loops pull at the edge from 2 points and does a much better job spreading the sides of the hammock out. You can see what I am talking about in the second pic down.

I'm also hoping that my JRB quilts, Tyvek weather sheild, and the top cover (once I add the ridge line) will work on this hammock. I haven't tried them yet but my fingers are crossed:) .

Great job, headchange :cool:

It looks very professional and very sturdy.

Is that straw under there for just incase? :D ;)

Perkolady

That looks great.Nice craftsmanship!!

My zhammock is about the same width and 12 feet long before hemming. I also noticed the outer 6 inches tends to flop over and looks unavailable for use. But, when you angle yourself enough to use it, it seems to stiffen up and works fine.

I also have some mystery fabric enroute and plan a new zhammock. I'm going to make it shorter to reduce weight, put a layer of bugnet on one side and leave the sides unconnected. If required, I will add a zipper and connect the bugnet. Someone reported that this design sealed up at the edges without being connected. We'll see.

I found that putting the pad into the zhammock is a bit of a pain. The sticky nature of the blue CCF pads, leads me to believe that it won't slip out of the open side and having the whole side open will make putting the pad in much easier.

I'll be interested in hearing about your results.I can always sew up the sides and add the tie outs if there is enough benefit to be gained.

Tom

I made my hammock out of the same stuff but in grey, I beleive it to be ripstop polyester.

did you use two layers just to locate the underpad?

I like the tie out idea, I may ad some to mine.

My dimensions ( before hemming) 60" x 10'

Great job. I think a ZHammock will be my next project. Nice idea on the tie-outs.

Nice project. I have been thinking about adding them to my DIY hammock. I noticed in my HH that it is cooler when you tie out the sides.

Did you give the hammock an asym shape cut or whipping?

No whipping or asymmetrical cutting. I plan on trying the asymmterical whipping after I try it out with normal whipping.