So after reading some threads and sewing up a "blank" hammock (144" x 60" hemmed rectangle) I decided to try some asymmetrical ideas.
First I tried gathering and whipping 40" and leaving 20" to be gathered with a cord wrapped around the corner and 40" up the long side. That seemed to have potential so I started pursuing it. I tried to sew that shape in... and had no end of troubles. With a cord the load was distributed and not stresses were an issue, with the gathers sewn in I had several failures.
SOOOO after much frustration I reverted to whipping options. I did about 6-or 7 different ones.
My last attempt was something I really like the feel of. I gather 40" as per one of the common options (typically something like the Hennessy style gathers) then take the 20" remaining and make a single big loop where the outside corner is taken back to the gather, but the rest is moved forward creating a pocket when whipped. Doing this on diagonally opposite corners gave me the most comfortable lay I've had in a hammock... Admittedly I'm new to this obsession, but it was really nice.
I had a nice bit of break over so my knees weren't over extended, I could lie with a leg crossed up or a knee out, or even on my side or stomach. My shoulders were flat side to side and my head even had a nice little bit of reduced pressure so it wasn't tipped forward so much.
Lying in bed last night I was noticing how much more UNcomfortable my mattress was. That's a first as that mattress is the best one I've ever slept on...
The only down side was I end up with some "sag" and floppy edges 4-6" at the head and foot points when I lie diagonally in the most comfy position. And a big wall of taut fabric farther along the sides from the floppy bits. At the head the flop falls in my face unless I hold it aside. I didn't have this problem with the cord gathered version, which also had a better foot pocket but a less comfortable upper body position.
So I'm wondering about cutting the fabric down, or putting tie outs on it to pull it out of my face, or some other option (like reverting to cords or elastic for the excess...)
Any ideas on what I can do? (pics could be obtained if there's interest...)
Bookmarks