Hammock Patterns

**Trout** · 11-24-2009, 09:35

So, my fabric came in the other day and I'm getting ready to start my first DIY hammock! Excited and nervous, I'm trying to be real cool and level-headed about the whole thing. Now I was planning on just doing a basic rectangle, rolled edged hammock, but I read somewhere on the forum about how individuals were cutting theirs into parallelograms and so on. I wanted to make a tried and true hammock that was based on the Blackbird - which I thought was squared. I haven't really found any patterns to make sure my hammock will be comfortable and roomy. I'm 5'10"-5'11" and weight about 235. I have the 1.9 oz apple green Ripstop that can hold 250 pds.

Can point me to where I can look at some common, tried and true patterns?

I also would like to make sure that my two tie outs are correct, I was planning on putting them in the middle. I'm planning on first making the hammock and two tieouts, then adding netting.

Thanks for any help.

**JerryW** · 11-24-2009, 09:57

Headchange4u has a very detailed thread about making a Hennessy clone.

Just Jeff's site has a DIY hammock.

Risk's site has some instructions also.

I built hc4u's Hennessy style and it works very good. I'm 6'1" tall and there is plenty of room:

Jerry

**Hawk-eye** · 11-24-2009, 13:28

Originally Posted by JerryW

I built hc4u's Hennessy style and it works very good. I'm 6'1" tall and there is plenty of room:

Jerry

Yeah Jerry but you be a sewing god! I've seen your work first hand in the gorge and had to hang my head in shame and walk back to my poorly sewn over cover ... sniffle ... whine ...

**JerryW** · 11-24-2009, 13:36

Originally Posted by Hawk-eye

Yeah Jerry but you be a sewing god! I've seen your work first hand in the gorge and had to hang my head in shame and walk back to my poorly sewn over cover ... sniffle ... whine ...

Thanks Hawk-eye, but what that really means is that I've just had A LOT of practice...both sewing AND seam-ripping my mistakes.

Practice, practice, practice...

Jerry

**Hawk-eye** · 11-24-2009, 13:47

Originally Posted by JerryW

Thanks Hawk-eye, but what that really means is that I've just had A LOT of practice...both sewing AND seam-ripping my mistakes.

Practice, practice, practice...
Jerry

Well it definitely shows! I bet ... and I bet other's would agree ... the seams you rip out would probably be just fine for the majority of us!

Waiting for the next picture of your car project ... or grandson to show up on Flickr!

**JohnSawyer** · 11-24-2009, 15:19

Funny, I have almost the same setup...

I'm 5'11", and used 3 yds of the same fabric (Thank's Ed!). I just gathered my edges per the Speer book directions, sewed my seams with a zig-zag like Risk's ZHammock, and whipped the ends...

I do wish mine was a bit longer... Just get a longer tarp...You can always shorten it later, once you've tried it out. One thing to consider: Ed's method (which is painfully simple) is to tie an overhand knot in each end, which might be why he said to go 11'. If you whip the ends, you save about 10-12 inches in length.

Here's what I've learned over the last 2 months of playing with my new toy:
Buy the dutch clips from this site, and use the ring setup like the warbonnet... makes adjustmnets MUCH easier than tying to a tree...

Also, tie high, hang loose and lay diagonally...

Welcome to the addiction!

John

**animalcontrol** · 11-24-2009, 10:04

sizing...simple rectangle works well
I really like 120" (10') long (before whipping)
width? as wide as possible (60"+ )
whipping...
I really like the Warbonnet method with a whipped mass...here
ridgeline...
I like mine about 102". This is a personal thing for sure

more help...JustJeff website TONS of useful info there

Good luck and post pics when your done!

**Trout** · 11-24-2009, 10:31

Thanks - I'll use that to make my hammock. I had posted an earlier thread on this topic and still felt... uneducated. Ed recommended i make mine 11 ft long, so I bought 12 ft - does a longer hammock negatively change the "lay or "feel if the hammock?

One additional question, when I make the tie outs, do I sew them along the hemmed edge that has been rolled with one loop going parallel OR do I sew them perpendicular to the hemmed edge with one loop?

**animalcontrol** · 11-24-2009, 10:45

Originally Posted by TroutEhCuss

Thanks - I'll use that to make my hammock. I had posted an earlier thread on this topic and still felt... uneducated. Ed recommended i make mine 11 ft long, so I bought 12 ft - does a longer hammock negatively change the "lay or "feel if the hammock?

One additional question, when I make the tie outs, do I sew them along the hemmed edge that has been rolled with one loop going parallel OR do I sew them perpendicular to the hemmed edge with one loop?

the longer the hammock, more people find it more comfortable. the downside would be a bigger tarp is needed to cover it...10' or 11' is a personal thing.

When I added tie outs, I sewed them with the loop perpendicular and sewn through the rolled edge. I also put the tie outs at my shoulder location...why? your shoulders are the widest point.