Bottom Entry on a non-asym hammock?

**unicycleman** · 07-01-2010, 16:32

Originally Posted by Preacha Man

Here is the thread talking about my DIY bottom entry hammock.
but you MUST sew the entry slit right and reinforce it a little!

Thanks for the tip and how exactly did you do it?
pics might be helpfull if it's not too much to ask

**wirerat123** · 07-01-2010, 17:24

Hrmmm, How many NE Bama folks we have here? I'm in Huntsville/Guntersville. Living in Huntsville now. Will be moved to Guntersville by next week lol.

Nice to see so many Bama folks converting. I've been a Hammock Hanger for years, and was perfectly satisfied with my Hennessy Hammocks. But now I have friends that are interested in Hammocks, but are low on fundage, so I got lucky and found this place while searching for DIY hammock plans and such.

Best find ever.

**Ramblinrev** · 07-01-2010, 17:37

I put a BEEP in a DIY hammock I built because I amo one of the only people on the forum who needs the bottom entry. I have to have it because of mobility concerns. So when I made a gathered end and got stuck in it... (don't ask... it wasn't pretty) I retrofitted the BEEP. Here's the way I did it. Lay the nylon out flat on a good surface. Take your shears.. pinch your butt cheeks together for a feeling of confidence and fortitude... Then cut away down the line that you want opened. You'll need to treat the cut edges in some way (hem or binding) and there will need to be some reinforcement at the end of the slit.. but not as much as some might lead you to believe. I ended up cutting the slit almost as far down as where my tookus hit on a diagonal lie. It worked ok... but I don't think I would try it again. Given the work of sewing on the bugnet and cost of the binding and other materials I didn't save much from the cost of an HH already made.

**unicycleman** · 07-02-2010, 07:46

Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

Then cut away down the line that you want opened.

there will need to be some reinforcement at the end of the slit..

I think i might cut only 1/4 of the way instead of how the HH goes 1/2 way down. Will the slit be a problem if i want to lay on the centerline? If so would it be good for me to make it slightly off to one side?

Also how should i make the reinforcement and what kind of fabric should i use?

thanks

**Ramblinrev** · 07-02-2010, 08:45

Originally Posted by unicycleman

I think i might cut only 1/4 of the way instead of how the HH goes 1/2 way down. Will the slit be a problem if i want to lay on the centerline? If so would it be good for me to make it slightly off to one side?

Also how should i make the reinforcement and what kind of fabric should i use?

thanks

I tried cutting a shorter slit at first. The problem was that I could not negotiate my way in. The slit needs to be long enough that you can get you body through it. Now I'm a big guy but I think the slit needs to be just about half way. Otherwise you are having to move "up hill" to get out of it. YMMV.

You won't want to sleep on the centerline. IMO you are much better off diagonal. I used a very narrow hammock and ended up in line for the most part. I didn't like it at all. That's one of the reasons I never really used the hammock once it was made.

As far as the reinforcement, I just sewed a piece of polyester webbing sort of perpendicular to the slit. This kind of DIY is mostly trial and error for me as I am not a designer so I really don't know what will work and what won't. But that's part of the fun.

**Preacha Man** · 07-02-2010, 11:03

The slit does need to be longer than you would think. I first cut mine short, and it ripped on me the first time I tried it out. I reworked it, by making it long all the way to my rear end, and now it works fine. I have my underquilt undone from it right now, so if I get some time later I will take some detailed pics for you.

**Preacha Man** · 07-02-2010, 11:35

Here are some pics of the Green Lantern for you. I tried to take all kinds for you, and I hope these help.

**unicycleman** · 07-02-2010, 21:09

Thanks for the pictures Preacha Man, they helped me understand how to do the reinforcements.

Have you had any problems with having bugs come through the slit since there isn't any velcro/omnitape?

And Ramblinrev thanks for the tips also

**Preacha Man** · 07-02-2010, 22:55

Originally Posted by unicycleman

Have you had any problems with having bugs come through the slit since there isn't any velcro/omnitape?

I haven't had any problems with bugs, and I have been out lots of times when they were out. It closes up just fine once you are in and your feet are off to the side.