I want to make a tarp...Any ideas?

[sclittlefield]

I want to make one like the Winter Dream, one with closeable doors and side tieouts (even thought I guess it doesn't have to have it, but might as well learn right?)

Any help would be really appreciative, thanks.

Feel free to PM (or email: [email protected]) if you have any specific questions on that design, or building tarps in general. I'd be glad to help with any detail questions.

Thanks for the tip. What material is used in the corner triangular tie outs? It looks like a heavier nylon. Also should I us webbing for the tie down straps that connect with the loop or stick with grossgrain?

You can do it as simply as using scrap from your tarp material, but I do recommend a heavier nylon instead. I am using 200D Oxford Nylon for my tie-out reinforcement pieces (and will be selling it by the yard in the store soon). The Oxford works very well.

As for webbing loops - Grossgrain does work, it's just not as strong as actual webbing. If you do go with gg, I recommend you double it up for the ridgeline tie-out as that sees a lot of stress compared to the other tie-outs.

The most difficult part of building a tarp is simply the sheer volume of material you have to work with. And I suppose for some the slipperiness of Silnylon can be difficult at first - but it becomes second nature after a while.

Enjoy!

[Hawk-eye]

.....The most difficult part of building a tarp is simply the sheer volume of material you have to work with. And I suppose for some the slipperiness of Silnylon can be difficult at first - but it becomes second nature after a while.

Man that's putting it mildly ... the volume used in a tarp, the slippery nature of the stuff it's like wrestling a greased jelly fish while submerged in oil! OK ... maybe a little dramatic ... but I admire anyone that makes tarps as a business. I know some things like having the space and a large cutting table help ... but even so ... job well done to those of you that do it!

[sclittlefield]

the slippery nature of the stuff it's like wrestling a greased jelly fish while submerged in oil!

Nearly peed my pants on that one Hawk-eye...

[Ramblinrev]

Man that's putting it mildly ... the volume used in a tarp, the slippery nature of the stuff it's like wrestling a greased jelly fish while submerged in oil! OK ... maybe a little dramatic ... but I admire anyone that makes tarps as a business. I know some things like having the space and a large cutting table help ... but even so ... job well done to those of you that do it!

Pins, clips, staples anything that helps stabilize the fabric for that first stitch line is your friend. Don't be afraid of pins and a tarp. You are going to seam seal it anyway so the pinholes are of no consequence. After the first stitch line the fabric won't slip around as much.

Be very aware of your fabric "underneath". Any fold or bunch can get caught up in the seam and sewn accidentally. That's a pain. Keep the fabric smooth and flat as you let the machine feed it through.

Oh.. one more thing.. practice sewing straight seams until you are comfortable with the results. It doesn't have to be perfect. But mostly straight helps the tarp stretch properly when pitched.

[Hawk-eye]

Nearly peed my pants on that one Hawk-eye...

OOPS ... sorry about that ... hope you didn't ruin one of those great tarps you make!!

[Hawk-eye]

.... Be very aware of your fabric "underneath". Any fold or bunch can get caught up in the seam and sewn accidentally....

Man ... been there done that ... do I get a T-shirt?

[jaydweight]

Several popular sizes have printable templates. See the attached.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...3&postcount=55

Shevy77

Sweet. I had no idea something like this existed. Thanks! My ripstop nylon I get from my wholesaler comes 60" wide, any idea if there is a pattern for 60" fabric? If not, I'll just bring it down to 54".

Thanks.

[sclittlefield]

OOPS ... sorry about that ... hope you didn't ruin one of those great tarps you make!!

It's ok, they're waterproof.


Rev made a really really really good point I want to re-iterate, just so it gets ground in.

Be very careful that a fold of fabric doesn't get in under what you're trying to sew... it can happen very easily. It's not the end of the world, especially as a DIY'er, but for us selling tarps... it's back to the starting line and maybe this one can be sold as a seconds if anyone wants it. Go slow.

Oh, one other thing I've found with slippery silnylon - like Rev said, let the feed dogs do the work, but I find that it helps A LOT to keep tension both in front and behind (equal, you're not pulling it, just keeping it tight) as you feed it through the machine. I hope that makes sense. It's so slippery that it can try to feed at different intervals, with the feed dogs moving some along, while the top part lags a bit to catch up.

[animalcontrol]

Man ... been there done that ... do I get a T-shirt?

THAT would be a very large percentage of the DIYers on this site!
me included!

[jaydweight]

It's ok, they're waterproof.


Rev made a really really really good point I want to re-iterate, just so it gets ground in.

Be very careful that a fold of fabric doesn't get in under what you're trying to sew... it can happen very easily. It's not the end of the world, especially as a DIY'er, but for us selling tarps... it's back to the starting line and maybe this one can be sold as a seconds if anyone wants it. Go slow.

Oh, one other thing I've found with slippery silnylon - like Rev said, let the feed dogs do the work, but I find that it helps A LOT to keep tension both in front and behind (equal, you're not pulling it, just keeping it tight) as you feed it through the machine. I hope that makes sense. It's so slippery that it can try to feed at different intervals, with the feed dogs moving some along, while the top part lags a bit to catch up.

Can I use ripstop nylon for a tarp, or does if have to be silnylon? What's the difference?