any reason not to do this???

**raftingtigger** · 06-30-2015, 17:12

I'm new to hammock sleeping and want to make a hammock for myself (66" and 140#). I've used an old Byer with multiple strings that go to the hang point instead of fabric and have found it a little narrow. Before I start plunking down money for materials and all I want to figure my dimensions. I have a homemade 12' x 10' silnylon (1.1 oz) tarp I made and would like to use it as a dimensions tester.

I'd fold the material over to a make a 12' x 5' piece and then tie the end together and put on my suspension (whoopie strings) and fold the excess back over and again tie. This way I would start with a 11' x 5' hammock. If it isn't wide enough I just unfold and make it wider. I can also shorten it.

Since some people make hammocks of 1.1 oz nylon I can't see why this would hurt my tarp.

**ksbcrocks** · 06-30-2015, 17:33

Silnylon is a bit slicker so just make sure your whipping is gonna hold. I can't guarantee it won't damage the tarp but you'd probably be fine. I would just go ahead and order 4 yards of fabric and test with that instead, since different fabrics stretch and feel different.

**Nodust** · 06-30-2015, 17:37

You can buy a tablecloth that big or bigger to try dimensions.

**Nodust** · 06-30-2015, 17:38

And the tablecloth is only about $20.

**raftingtigger** · 06-30-2015, 17:49

Originally Posted by Nodust

And the tablecloth is only about $20.

Good idea, but since Dutch has the fabric at $5/yd I might as well buy 4 yds and experiment. Same price, but then I already have my fabric.

While I'm asking questions: Is there any reason that the double layer (for retaining a pad) has to be the full size? or can I just make a pad sized sleeve once I find my sweet spot?

**webhanger** · 07-03-2015, 17:44

Most people sre concerned with piercing the fabrick where you layy potentially weakening it. But if you sewed down the long sides of the hammock and left it open on the ends I don't know why this wouldn't work. Let us know ho it goes either way.

**Nodust** · 07-03-2015, 17:53

Originally Posted by raftingtigger

Good idea, but since Dutch has the fabric at $5/yd I might as well buy 4 yds and experiment. Same price, but then I already have my fabric.

While I'm asking questions: Is there any reason that the double layer (for retaining a pad) has to be the full size? or can I just make a pad sized sleeve once I find my sweet spot?

If you don't need the tarp I think it will work. I'm just not sure how comfortable it would be laying on sil. No breathability.

**jeffjenn** · 07-03-2015, 20:25

Some cheap Walmart fabric is always good for testing.

**raftingtigger** · 07-04-2015, 17:56

Didn't bother with the testing. Got my Dutch bling last night, and today it is Dutch sling

. In spite of the 100+ heat today, it was hard prying myself out of it after the test hang.

I made a standard double layer 1.1 NylonD 11' by 58" hammock, 2 6' whoopie slings, and a pair of 8' tree huggers.

I decided not to make a tailored pad sleeve for several reasons, strength along the seam lines being one of them, another is it would be overly complicated.

**raftingtigger** · 07-04-2015, 17:57

Originally Posted by Nodust

If you don't need the tarp I think it will work. I'm just not sure how comfortable it would be laying on sil. No breathability.

Absolutely right. My idea was only to do a quick test and then return the tarp to normal duties. The tarp works well over the hammock, so that is one less project to do.