Second DIY Hammock Attempt

**Hooch** · 04-17-2008, 19:32

Ok, my second DIY hammock attempt went much better than my first. This time, I sewed a hammock for Short Stuff to use next weekend in Hot Springs. It's nothing fancy, a modified Speer type hammock with sheet bend whippings on the ends. One thing I did this time that took longer, but made for a better job, patricularly from an aesthetic view was pin the seams before I sewed them. I did about a 2cm rolled seam, then pinned as I went. It took a lot longer, but it looks a lot better this time than last. My only issue I'm still having is that my stitches look slightly "loose", if that makes sense. I tried adjusting the top tension, but that didn't help it any. Anyone have an idea as to what may be causing this? Submitted for your review: pics of Short Stuff in his new hammock.

**schrochem** · 04-17-2008, 19:56

Good Job!
If he gets lost I think he'll be easily seen from space

**pedro** · 04-17-2008, 20:42

Looks great! Got that whole island thing going.

In reference to the thread tension issue, I'm by no means an expert, but I had an excellent teacher, and this issue came up with me as well. It turned out to be too heavy of a thread on too light a material. No matter how we adjusted the tension, I got loose stitching. As soon as I switched to lighter thread, the problem went away, was able to use normal tension.

-Pedro

**headchange4u** · 04-17-2008, 21:39

Dude, Short Stuff looks so happy and proud of his new hammock. It also looks like you did an excellent job in the construction, but there won't be any stealth camping with that fabric color.

On the subject of loose stitching, if the top of the stitch has loose looking loops, you need to increase bottom tension on your sewing machine. If the bottom stitch is loose tighten top tension. Adjust by small increments, and then do a test sew. That should fix that problem.

**GrizzlyAdams** · 04-17-2008, 21:43

great stuff for short stuff, but guy, can you still see? I'm imaging sitting at a machine hemming that material.

oh wait, I bet you were wearing cheap sunglasses.

Grizz

**Knowledgeengine** · 04-17-2008, 22:00

Maybe you should order a bolt?

Just kidding, mad props on the diy.

**slowhike** · 04-17-2008, 22:05

shortstuff sure does look happy in his new hammock!

**Iafte** · 04-17-2008, 22:15

good thing you are going to the SEHHA and not the MAHHA or I wouldn't be able to sleep with that bright hammock hanging around.

Nice job, short stuff owes you for sewing that for him.

**Narwhalin** · 04-17-2008, 23:30

Who chose the color? I like it! Is it ripstop or something else?

**Hooch** · 04-18-2008, 05:09

Originally Posted by Narwhalin

Who chose the color? I like it! Is it ripstop or something else?

Thanks for the compliments and advice, y'all. The color was chosen by my son. This is going to be his first group hang, so I let him pick out his own color for the hammock. I don't like loud colors like that for hammocks at all, but he likes green, so there ya have it. It's made from 1.9 ripstop we got at Hancock Fabrics. If you think it's bright in the pictures, try staring at it for 30 mins pinning it and another 40 mins sewing it. Just to give me a little more confidence in sewing, I think my next project is to make a non-neon gear hammock.