First timer, considering a DIY project, Fabric Questions...

I searched the forum and found some answers but certainly not all, so I turn to you for further enlightenment.


Hammock Fabric
Commercially it seems to be all over the map as well as cottage and DiY'ers. Evidently you can use just about any fabric to make a hammock.

So why do most cottages use ripstop nylon? Is it weight, cost, ...is everyone just trying to get the most weight capacity with the lowest weight fabrics?

ENO fabric is what? Is that the crinkle taffeta that gets referred to with the table cloth hammocks? ENO and GT use similar/same fabrics?

Pardon my ignorance here, but I am very interested in your thoughts, everyone's thoughts...

Thanks

Ripstop is thin light strong available affordable. A good all around choice. It's cold, stretches a bit and requires cut edge sealing to prevent fraying.

Crinkle taffeta is on use by some professionally as it has many good features and comes darn cheap from tableclothsfactory.com. It is heavier, doesn't stretch, a bit warmer than nylon but if a rip starts it will keep ripping. The fabric us cheap and comes in handy sizes for colorful hammocks. I think it is also LOTS easier to sew than ripstop.

There's lots of fabrics and variations I'm still trying to learn myself, but these two are good for starter DIY projects, so that's why you hear so much about them.

Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks Steve. Does your message state that crinkle taffeta is the material used by ENO/GT?

No. Sorry, I'm not familiar with their gear, except GTUL which isn't crinkle taffeta. Not sure what it is, really.

ENO uses some sort of parachute fabric. Thinner and lighter than taffeta.

Any thoughts on 100% polyester?

I made both of my hammocks from it, all from the $1/yd bin at Wal-Mart. It's smooth, cool, lightweight, doesn't stretch, and sews & cuts well.

I have one hammock that's single-layer, and one that's double-layer. Both seem quite strong. So far I'm lovin the stuff!

-Klauss

My thoughts are thumbs up on whatever works. I am trying to figure out if I need to be concerned about weight capacity when using something beside 1.1 ripstop. I read a lot of people buying tablecloth material, ripstop nylon, etc. but I don't seem to see anyone buying and building with the ENO type fabrics. They have a 400# rating and do not appear to be that heavy. Is there a supplier for that kind of fabric and what exactly do you call it? I'm guessing here, but I would think ENO and GT have the biggest market share and they do not use the same type fabric as the cottage makers. I am not sure where the market share is when you get into the more dedicated camping type hammock manufacturers. HH, Clark do lots of advertising. Just some thoughts on fabrics and who is using what. If I am making a DIY, I think I want to start with the ENO/GT fabric. It has a nice hand to it and will probably be a bit easier to sew. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

I have not seen anyone posting about the fabrics used on ENO or GT, is it not available, if so where? Why doesn't anyone else use it? Help please. Thanks.

The ENO fabric is a piece dyed nylon taffeta. Not readily available.
Closest you can get is probably the Antron Crinkle Nylon here.
http://www.efabricsupplier.com/category_s/59.htm

The GTUL is made of polyester taffeta.
Your best bet for getting something close might be here.
http://www.therainshed.com/unctd%20t...Nylon_Taffeta_

Now that I'm sold on this DIY venture, is taffeta fairly thick? In Louisiana, the state bird is the mosquito, and they're out and about this time of year. Would one need to double up on the fabric to keep from becoming a pin cushion on the bottom, or would a single layer be sufficient?

With that being said, if you're looking for material similar to what ENO's are made from, it's my personal experience that critters can bite you through the bug net AND the hammock if you're pushing up against the walls. Don't know if that's a factor for you Swank, but it's a priority for me. ;)