Today I present the DIYGearSupply DL Hammock: http://www.diygearsupply.com/diy_gui...%20Hammock.jpg - one of the fine guides at http://www.diygearsupply.com/diy.html . If you haven't seen these, you should check them out! I found them very useful . Also see: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=15205
Special thanks to sclittlefield, Knotty and Opie for such fantastic guides!
This was an amazingly easy project, took about 4 hours total for me to complete (hammock only, the whoopie slings and soft shackles took another 2 hours).
The hardest part of the project was figuring out how I wanted to finish the edges of the fabric. Easiest way would have been to stitch the inner and outer layers where they are connected on the long sides, turn them inside out, fold and stitch the edges of the open section (single fold) and then stitch the end channels. I decided that I didn't want any raw edges exposed, so I took a little more intensive approach (but not by much).
Here's a little how to:
1. Cut the fabric to desired length (in this case 10.5"). I cut 2 individual pieces so I could roll hem both the inner and the outer layer separately.
2. Roll hem the long side of each piece, making sure to orient the hems however you want them. I marked the sides of the fabric inside and outside, and oriented my hems so they would face the outside of the double layer. I don't think it really makes a difference, just more of an aesthetic choice IMO. My side hems were ~1/2", and done by hand.
3. Line up your hemmed inner and outer layers (I used clothes pins to hold them together), and then attach them together along one long side for 78". Do the same for the opposite side, from the other end. Then add a few reinforcement stitches/backstitches perpendicular to the edge where the inner and outer layers will separate.
4. Roll hem the ends about 1" , to create the end channel.
5.Run a drawcord through the channel (I used Mason Line), cinch the ends, wrap 2x and tie off.
6. Select your ridgeline material and length. The guide gives 101" as a common length. After a bit of experimenting, I found 99" to be the sweet spot for me. I used paracord because it was what I immediately had available, but will ultimately replace it with something stronger later.
7. Attach your suspension of choice after passing through each end of your ridgeline. I used DIY whoopie slings (DIY Gear Supply has a guide for these too, and some great threads here on HF to point you in the right direction if you want to make these as well) and larks headed them to each end after passing them through the ends of the ridgeline.
Finished! Wohoo!
A closeup of the DL separation
Another view of the DL on one side (and a ridgeline organizer I whipped up)
My DIY stuffsack with a side pocket for the suspension (soft shackles, tree straps and toggles - all DIY of course )
1.1 Ripstop (stuffsack fabric I already had), Amsteel and noseeum purchased from: http://www.diygearsupply.com/
Hammock weight including 8' whoopies: 18.25 oz (19 oz including stuffsack)
All up including 8' tree straps, toggles, and soft shackles: 25.75 oz (1 lb 9.75 oz)
A really fun project! As always, thanks to all who post information on DIY making it possible for the inexperienced (me) to produce great gear. Hopefully someone will find something in this post as useful as I have found others information here on HF.
Happy Hammocking!
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