Made a tarp today

[Billy Goat]

Got my order in from RSBTR yesterday and couldn't wait to get stuff in the works. It took a bit longer than I figured, but it was a good learning expericence, and many notes will be utilized for the next 3 to be made. This one is mine and made of 1.1 oz silpoly 4000. I have no real spot in the yard to hang it... so I improvised a spot.


In the stuff sack. Weighs 15.8 oz with stakes and ridgeline.


It certainly isn't without flaws, but it's just fine for me.



Can't wait to get this thing up in the woods!

Cheers,
The Goat

[BigE94]

Great job there. Lookin good.

[ocnlogan]

I've got materials for a tarp right now actually, I just haven't taken the time to do it yet, as I'm not entirely sure how to do every part yet.

So what are the main lessons learned? I'm mostly trying to figure out the best way to do the tieouts, and how to handle the sewing of the ridgeline (primarily handling the bulk).

Anyway, it looks nice. Well done .

[geneaut]

The only 'flaw' I see is that it isn't hanging in my backyard! Gorgeous tarp.

[Wanderlost]

That's a sharp looking tarp! Good job! As someone who's made a tons of mistakes and flaws, you'll see 10 times more flaws than anyone else will.

[Billy Goat]

I've got materials for a tarp right now actually, I just haven't taken the time to do it yet, as I'm not entirely sure how to do every part yet.

So what are the main lessons learned? I'm mostly trying to figure out the best way to do the tieouts, and how to handle the sewing of the ridgeline (primarily handling the bulk).

Anyway, it looks nice. Well done .

Main lesson learned was to go slow and keep a keen eye on the work when sewing the ridgeline. I was only about a foot away from the end when I Realized I had let it bunch up a bit too much and sewed about a 3" length of unintended fabric to the ridgeline. I was madder than a wet dog in a room where you're not allowed to shake your dog. So now I have a non seam area that needs to be seam sealed. Also, I attached my reinforcement panels the way the instructions from ripstop says, straight stitch it backwards in place, then fold over and tuck under the hem. I started with one and then hemmed that edge. Had to stop before I got to the next reinforcement section, cut my thread, add the panel and start back over from where I left off. Main lesson there, add all panels first! I also used a different type of thread and didn't realize that the tension on my bottom bobbin was a little too loose, so there were a few loose loops here and there. Will be sticking to Mara 70 from now on. It behaves much better... or I at least know how it behaves.

[Billy Goat]

I also think I may benefit from picking up a roller foot. That silpoly is SLIPPERY! Obviously it can be worked with a standard foot, but I believe my life would have been made much easier with something a little different.

[ocnlogan]

Thanks for the response, that does help me out a bit. And I completely understand the frustration about sewing unintended fabric to a seam.

And actually, last night I was inspired, and went ahead and cut the fabric into two panels, and did the first line of stitching down the ridgeline (as that part I felt prepared to do). While not perfect, even the largest mistake I made isn't really a big deal (forgot the design of the ridgeline, and was thinking it was a normal felled seam, so I left one side longer than the other, which means I "lost" about a half inch of width on the tarp).

I think tonight or tomorrow night I'll be tackling the rest. I kind of have to, once the sewing machine is out and setup, I feel compelled to keep working on it to get it out of the way again (lives on the kitchen table while I'm in project mode).

And yeah, this stuff is slippery.

Anyway, congrats again on the tarp. It looks great, and I'll be quite happy if mine turns out half that good .

[rocesride]

Looks great to me! I am debating making one or going with the WB Edge...

[FLScouthanger]

Great looking tarp!