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  1. #1
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    Why hem factory edge

    I just bought some Hancock Fabric ripstop to make my first hammock. I think it will be a gathered end, double layer. In SCLittlefields go by and in others I see the factory edge (selvaged edge???) is hemmed. Is it necessary to hem the factory edge?

  2. #2
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
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    You don't need to, but IMO it looks alot better to finish the edge.
    But I've done the "no-sew" hammock and it held fine with just the selvadged edge and knotted the ends.
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  3. #3
    Senior Member sclittlefield's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wwk10 View Post
    I just bought some Hancock Fabric ripstop to make my first hammock. I think it will be a gathered end, double layer. In SCLittlefields go by and in others I see the factory edge (selvaged edge???) is hemmed. Is it necessary to hem the factory edge?
    Like Gargoyle said, it's not absolutely necessary - but for longevity's sake, do it. The hemmed edge is much stronger and better suited to the workout a hammock edge is subjected to. It's so easy to do, for the benefit gained, it's well worth the extra 20 minutes.
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  4. #4
    Senior Member Pro Vagabond's Avatar
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    I honestly don't know if you need to, but I do. If nothing else, it gives me more experience sewing an edge. I know it sound crazy, but since I've started making my own gear, I've gotten so much better at sewing and part of that is because I've practiced when it wasn't needed; i.e. a factory edge. Before I started, I hadn't sewed anything in 20ish years, so I wanted to make sure it was correct, and the easiest "correct" stitch is the straight stitch. If you don't need the practice, you may not need to sew a factory edge, but if you are just starting, do it. Trust me, your work, down the road will be better. I just finished a whole bunch of christmas gifts off the sewing machine because I started making gear 4 months ago. Kinda cool.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Knotty's Avatar
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    Even though selvage doesn't need to be finished I can't resist doing it. Just feels like the right thing to do. If you can resist, then leave it be. No foul.
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  6. #6
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    Thanks all. I bought the fabric so I am committed, but I am a mull it over in my mind kind of guy. I anticipate several questions

  7. #7
    Senior Member cosmicmiami's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Knotty View Post
    If you can resist, then leave it be. No foul.
    There's a certain amount of OCD that presents itself here. Like everybody says, finish the edge. A hand rolled hem is a bit intimidating at first. Take your time and use some finesse. Not a big deal really. Take it slow and resist the temptation to floor the accelerator!

    I did the Knotty DIY gathered end with a rolled hem by hand and it wasn't that tough. Time consuming? Yes. I was being very particular.

    When I first got my thread injector, I made some basic curtains and didn't finish the selvage end. I wish I had now.
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  8. #8
    Senior Member oldgringo's Avatar
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    I agree with Scott.

    When getting out of my hammock, I use the edges of the hammock as handles to haul my fat self around to a sitting position, and then push off from them to stand up.
    Dave

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  9. #9
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    The selvage edge is remarkably strong. If I am going to rip the fabric intentionally I have to snip through the selvage before I can continue. Why would I rip the fabric instead of cutting it? Ripping the fabric squares the end to the grain, not to the edge. This is a technical issue which does not impact the vast majority of DIY gear so don't fixate on it. But it does illustrate the point.

    I have done both and other than appearance I really ave not noticed a major difference. my lard butt has been supported just fine on the selvage. The major difference I have noticed, and this is merely an observation not a determined fact, the edges seem somewhat less floppy with a hemmed selvage. But are they really? I have no clue. For me it ranks in the "personal preference" category. It is very true that the OCD factor plays a big role.
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  10. #10
    Senior Member Just Jeff's Avatar
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    Getting in and out of the hammock can put a lot of stress on the long edge. I've heard of a couple people ripping an unhemmed edge in the TestHammock but never heard of a rip starting on a hemmed edge. You'll probably be fine for a few test hangs, but I wouldn't depend on it for a long time.

    Plus it's pretty simple to do a long rolled hem...that's how I learned to do rolled hems without pinning, ironing, etc. Saves time in the long run.
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