choosing tarp's shape, coverage to waste of material ratio

[amk27]

It is time to chose the tarp's shape. I do not mind a hex one, but:
lots of waste. For a tarp of 4.8 square meters (about 52 feet) I need 9,75 m2 (105 feet) of material. The fabric is 1.5 m (60 inches), the suggested hex would have 3.3 m (11 ft) ridge line and 2.4 m (8 ft) across.

The question: suggest a tarp shape which provides more coverage than a simple asymmetrical one, no diamond, but will be more economical to cut than hex, or alternately suggest how to cut a hex without getting half of material in waste.

[Shug]

How about this.....http://diygearsupply.com/diy-guides/...m-tarp-lowres/
Shug

[SilvrSurfr]

How does a hex or any other tarp design result in waste? Just curious. by your definition most of the tarps sold today are wasteful.

[pgibson]

The idea behind the Hex shape and the reason it's popular for hammock camping is that they are an economy of coverage where needed with weight savings and reduced pack volume over a rectangle. If you don't want to "waste" fabric then just go with a rectangle with or without cat cut edges. Less work to get your shape figured out and little to no fabric to cut off. They are also faster to sew but just a little.

From another her perspective the fabric cut off of a hex tarp can be used to make a stuff sack for that tarp as well as at least 3 other stuff sacks for other gear. No reason to throw those hex corners in the trash.

[pkupmn98]

I agree with pgibson above, if hex is the shape you want, start thinking of uses for the parts you cut off!

[xxl_hanger]

It is even possible to have a hex tarp without the need to make stuff sacks with the fabric remnants. I used about 9.5 yards of fabric for a 12' hex tarp and used the one diagonal cut off (hex corner) and sewed it together with the fabric remnants from the other tarp side with a diagonal seam. Then I made two sets of Grizz beaks with the remaining rectangle. I have no single piece left over which I could use for stuff sacks. Ok, I have a diagonal seam on one piece of Grizz beaks (on 1 of 4 halfs). But for a diy project I consider this as no problem at all and if I would plan it again I would do it a bit different, even without any fabric waste.

[Theosus]

I eventually want to make my own tarp... I have a Hennessy Hex which I would like to model it after. The shape is wasteful when you consider the cut corners but for weight and size savings I'd definitely go with the hex over the rectangle. Still, for what fabric costs it doesn't seem that wasteful. Eight yards of fabric isn't that expensive. Plus with the cut corners theres material left over - some for a stuff sack for the tarp, material for making corner pockets on the tarp to hold the tie-out lines, ridge line sacks, maybe a pack cover?

[RichardJ]

Great idea Theosus. I am going to make my first two tarps and hope I have enough waste for a rain cover for my daypack. The materials have already been ordered.

[Fancy Ramen]

If anything, I would think a diamond or asymmetrical design would result in greater "waste" materials than hex if you are starting with a rectangle or square shape.

[bwg]

It is time to chose the tarp's shape. I do not mind a hex one, but:
lots of waste. For a tarp of 4.8 square meters (about 52 feet) I need 9,75 m2 (105 feet) of material. The fabric is 1.5 m (60 inches), the suggested hex would have 3.3 m (11 ft) ridge line and 2.4 m (8 ft) across.

The question: suggest a tarp shape which provides more coverage than a simple asymmetrical one, no diamond, but will be more economical to cut than hex, or alternately suggest how to cut a hex without getting half of material in waste.

Did you see this pattern that minimizes waste?

http://diygearsupply.com/wp-content/...ut-Pattern.jpg