CYB

[Texas_toothpick]

OK I looked through the diy stickies and didn't see a basic tarp. Am I over thinking this.

I've been looking at some xenon .9 for a 12x10 tarp and I'm curious. Is it as simple sewing a center seam and some guy line tie outs? I don't want to make things harder on my self by trying to do cat cuts and such.

I guess I'm just lost and wanna cover my butt.

[Squeaker's_Turtle]

Ripstop by the roll has some great info/instructions for tarps. But essentially, it's that simple. Hem the ridge, hem the edges, add tie-outs. Down and dirty.

[kitsapcowboy]

Yes, it's as simple as that.

(Although the devil is in the details...)

[Texas_toothpick]

My grandmother is gonna give me a crash course on her sewing machine. Who better to learn from then someone who's sewed for 65+ years.

Any pointers would be great. I've watched several diy videos on sewing tarp, hammock, quilts, ect. How much more difficulty is there to the cat cuts?

[Squeaker's_Turtle]

Cat cuts aren't that difficult. biggest tip is to just take your time, and let the machine do its thing. Don't try to force the fabric, and don't try to pull it through (though a little tension is a good thing). Otherwise...listen to Grandma.

[Texas_toothpick]

Thanks and I'm headed to check out ripstop by the roll.

[kitsapcowboy]

Caternary cuts aren't super-difficult. Technically, you can calculate the curve as a piecewise definition using a fairly complex formula, but you can just as easily eschew the mathematics and estimate the correct shape of the arc with paper, a pencil, two thumbtacks, and some string. You decide on the depth, or deflection, you want; the deeper you make the cat-cut, the more material you will remove and the more aggressive the effect of the curve on your tarp will be. (There can be too much of a good thing with cat-cuts...)



Cat-cuts are somewhat harder to hem than straight edges because they demand that you stitch the fabric on the bias rather than with the weave, and that makes its behavior more unruly as you form a roll hem. The deeper you make the curve for a given distance between endpoints, the more challenging it will be to sew the hem. Conversely, long shallow cat-cuts aren't much more difficult to hem than straight sides, but they still give you some benefits in pitching a taut tarp and reducing weight. If you've never sewn a roll hem with slippery lightweight waterproof fabric before, I wouldn't want to perform my first such operation on a caternary curve, as the results are likely to be less than pleasing.

[Texas_toothpick]

Thanks for the pointers. I'll hold off till I'm expert level. Basic tarp it is. Lol.

[Crazytown3]

Thanks for the pointers. I'll hold off till I'm expert level. Basic tarp it is. Lol.

You are in good company, I'm right there with ya. Just starting my first attempt at a tarp after learning some basics. Your grandmother will be an invaluable resource! Good sewing my friend!