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I just finished gros-graining the perimeter of the tarp! Looking pretty good so far. Only a minor slipup on the first reinforcement triangle:o
1.) Sewed 'er on wrong side out, I ripped out the stitches and turned it around and tacked it back on...
2.) Realized that now the edge was turned out instead of over, and had to re-do that, too:cursing:
After cursing my new-pidity for a good bit, I finished the other triangles without incident. Attaching the gros-grain was suprisingly easy, much better than I was expecting. I was under the impression a turned edge was not only lighter, but easier to do. The only thing was I wished I'd been able to find pre-folded gros-grain, since ironing it took as long as sewing it in place. It would also have been cool if the gros-grain matched the tarp (medium grey-green "foliage green"), but black matches everything and was what Joann's had in stock.
Now I just need to decide how long to make my tie-out webbings and tack them on. I may be done by noon tomorrow! :D
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Done!
Just finished. I'll try to get pics up later today!
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I wouldn't know how to sew if it weren't for my seam ripper. It has a permanent position right next to my sewing machine.
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http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...t/P8110017.jpg
Thank God that's over...now to start on the next one!
I haven't bothered to attach guy lines to the D-rings, just stuck them to the ground with stakes, so it was bit narrow when I tried hanging in it. Not that it mattered much, it was about 105 outside today, so hanging was brief.
One minor tactical error on my part; I'd sewn up some Bishop bags with a separate external mesh pocket for storing the tarp-- based on my old Hennessey ultralight tarp. I'll need to rip that pocket out and make a larger one (no biggie).
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Nice. Catenary ridgeline?
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Nah, I just did cat cuts on the sides. I didn't have guy-outs tied on, so I just staked the D-rings to the dirt. Pulls it down more than it should, causing the tarp to conform to the hammock ridgeline underneath. I was trying really hard to get a "pretty-looking" tight tarp for the photo, probably won't' try so hard in practice :D Those trees are also way too close, the ends of the tarp are at the tree huggers (tarp is tied to the trees separately in the photo). I should have used my (original) short Hennessey straps for this!
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Great end result, nice work
I've learnt a bunch in the last ten minutes reading this post, good stuff
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Just finished the second tarp! It was no faster, but way less nerve-wracking than the first one; I wasn't as afraid of ruining it at any instant the whole time :)
They're both hanging on my patio now, boiling off mineral spirits from the silicone solution I applied to the ridgelines. Man, that stuff is nasty, but it did seem to go on well enough. I really hope it actually cures, though. I've used GE II caulk in the past, and unless the tube is brand-spanking new, it has a bad habit of "curing" into petroleum jelly, leaving a huge mess. I made sure to get the newest tube I could find for this project, but I'm still gonna be apprehensive until tomorrow.
Quick question: Do ya'll typicall gros-grain the ridgeline? I've heard differing reports on whether it improves durability or strength. I opted not to since I've poked too many holes in the sil as it is.
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I just double roll the hem.
I have a MacCat tarp with the grosgain edging and it will probably outlive me.