my first diy hammock is done - help

[bigwig]

So, I just finished my first diy hammock and need some help. I used a sewn channel to gather the ends like in this video:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=15205

The problem is that the edges of the hammock hang very, very loose when the hammock is strung up. I would like the edges to be tighter so that the kids don't fall out as easy. I know that this is why Jeff, on his page, pulls the long ends out a bit before whipping them. I'm wondering if it's just not possible to use the channel end and still have tight sides. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[PapaSmurf]

I personally like my edges a little floppy.

On some hammocks, I'll sew the end channel with a slight arc so that the edges are approx 1-1.5 inch shorter than the middle. You could just gather & attach suspension to see how much shorter you need, then resew the end channels? Maybe others will have a better solution.

[OrionFyre]

I would do as papa suggests. get out our seam ripper and tear out the stitching. Instead of an arc which can be a pain to cut you can divide the fabric into three equal widths along the head and foot ends. from the two points that define those three sections cut a straight line to about 1.5-2" in from the end. (makes a long skinny triangle. then make your channel. I did this on a few hammocks where the person wanted a tighter edge.

[Ramblinrev]

Have you had the kids in the hammock? I just can't picture a kid being able to fall out of the hammock if it is strung properly. Now in the interest of full disclosure... It's been over a decade since I had any little kids that I'd need to worry about that and so my memory may be faulty. In addition I wasn't using a hammock when my kids were little. If the hammock becomes a play fort or something like that I might be able to see it. But for sleeping I just can't picture it. In any event.. I kind of like floppy sides to my top loader.

[bigwig]

I would do as papa suggests. get out our seam ripper and tear out the stitching. Instead of an arc which can be a pain to cut you can divide the fabric into three equal widths along the head and foot ends. from the two points that define those three sections cut a straight line to about 1.5-2" in from the end. (makes a long skinny triangle. then make your channel. I did this on a few hammocks where the person wanted a tighter edge.

This was a great idea. Basically, I just ripped out the stitching of about 3" of each end and folded it down more, so that the channel curves in at the ends.

[bigwig]

Have you had the kids in the hammock? I just can't picture a kid being able to fall out of the hammock if it is strung properly. Now in the interest of full disclosure... It's been over a decade since I had any little kids that I'd need to worry about that and so my memory may be faulty. In addition I wasn't using a hammock when my kids were little. If the hammock becomes a play fort or something like that I might be able to see it. But for sleeping I just can't picture it. In any event.. I kind of like floppy sides to my top loader.

Actually, my two year old fell out trying to climb in it and when she did get in it was harder to spread the hammock out beneath her so the hammock had sides. When the sides are a bit tighter, as they are now, it's like an envelope; you just get over the side and "fall down" into the center of the hammock. I think I'll like the sides on my hammock loose, too, but I think this way is good for the kids. The tight top seams act almost like an integral ridgeline. Plus, I'm thinking that if I sew some ties along the top I'll be able to almost make a cocoon and not have to worry about bug netting for them.

[Knotty]

Glad you had success making the edges tighter. You still need to be very careful with little children. They'll find a way to fall out of anything.

[Boris Losdindawoods]

Plus, I'm thinking that if I sew some ties along the top I'll be able to almost make a cocoon and not have to worry about bug netting for them.

Sew the bottom 2/3 shut and just slip the kids in through the head end. Maybe put a zipper on the top 1/3 with no pull on the inside. Zip 'em up and pass the beer.

I crack me up.

Boris

p.s. really... the more I think about this, the harder I'm laughing. Wife and oldest daughter are in the other room talking about medicating me now.

[Ramblinrev]

Actually, my two year old fell out trying to climb in it and when she did get in it was harder to spread the hammock out beneath her so the hammock had sides. When the sides are a bit tighter, as they are now, it's like an envelope; you just get over the side and "fall down" into the center of the hammock. I think I'll like the sides on my hammock loose, too, but I think this way is good for the kids. The tight top seams act almost like an integral ridgeline. Plus, I'm thinking that if I sew some ties along the top I'll be able to almost make a cocoon and not have to worry about bug netting for them.

thanks for that... as I said it's been ages since I have had a curtain climber in the house. I'm also well past the yard ape stage. Some memories just don't make it past the trauma.

[bigwig]

Sew the bottom 2/3 shut and just slip the kids in through the head end. Maybe put a zipper on the top 1/3 with no pull on the inside. Zip 'em up and pass the beer.

I crack me up.

Boris

p.s. really... the more I think about this, the harder I'm laughing. Wife and oldest daughter are in the other room talking about medicating me now.

Great idea. Maybe I'll just make the hammock out of silnylon so they don't get wet and use a waterproof zipper. I'll let you know tomorrow if it works.

Ok, maybe I took it a bit too far. I am just kidding.