Sewn channel ends

[xcmtnbikered]

I am making a tablecloth hammock with sewn channel ends. My intention is to run my whoopie slings directly thru the channels. My question is, do I make a single layer channel or double it over for more strength?

[MAD777]

I double mine & run 4 lines of stiching.

I assume you're going to larks head the loop if your whoopies through the channel, so that they are removable.

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[zooshooter]

I've done both single and double. Can't tell the difference between the two when I'm laying in the hammock. I used polyester upholstery/outdoor thread for my projects and am pushing 275lbs, but the single layer holds up just fine for me.

[kitsapcowboy]

I make my end channels double-layered and triple-stitched; the lighter in weight the fabric is, the more imperative I think it is to have that extra layer of fabric adding strength and durability to the channel. My $0.02.

[SilvrSurfr]

I've always used single channel - doubling it seems like overkill.

[englars]

Is there an advantage to looping through the channel with the suspension vs. using some cord (seen some people use a zip-tie) to cinch the channel shut and larkshead over the resulting bulge? It seems to me that results in less reliance on the thread/can get away with less sewing.

[SilvrSurfr]

Is there an advantage to looping through the channel with the suspension vs. using some cord (seen some people use a zip-tie) to cinch the channel shut and larkshead over the resulting bulge? It seems to me that results in less reliance on the thread/can get away with less sewing.

You can think that way if you want. I'm not too keen on larksheading onto a bulge - end-channels are much more predictable and repeatable.

[MAD777]

I've made a couple hammocks with the suspension threaded through the end channel. I've made a dozen hammocks using a buldge with the suspension larks headed around the hammock.

I much prefer the latter. Maybe because my first hand was a warbonnet blackbird and it was done that way. I guess the only way to be sure is to make a hammock with each method at each end and load the hammock to failure and see which one fails first.

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[Monkeyboy42]

You can think that way if you want. I'm not too keen on larksheading onto a bulge - end-channels are much more predictable and repeatable.

I feel the opposite. Sewn channels mean that my weight is being supported by stitches of thread. With a whipped end a bulge is created that can only get so small. The more weight I put on the hammock the tighter my larks headed loop or whoopie gets. It's impossible for it to slip over the bulge. The hammock would tear first.

That said, I suspect that triple or quadruple stitched end channels are also stronger then the fabric.
It's all mental: which do you trust more. Makes me want to do some scientific break tests!

The engineer in me also suspects that a sewn channel creates a slight curve in each end, and it seems that the curve should relieve calf ridge issues by a very (very) little bit by making the center of the hammock slightly longer then each side.

[SilvrSurfr]

I feel the opposite. Sewn channels mean that my weight is being supported by stitches of thread. With a whipped end a bulge is created that can only get so small. The more weight I put on the hammock the tighter my larks headed loop or whoopie gets. It's impossible for it to slip over the bulge. The hammock would tear first.

I don't think the stitches have any stress, once you larkshead your whoopie through the channel. It doesn't matter how tight it gets. In the end, it's what you are comfortable with, and I've been using sewn channels (triple-stitched) for over four years and haven't had a failure.