Looking for help diy tarp

[Shepherd]

Hello Folks,
I have made a few gathered end hammocks with friends and now I am considering making my first tarp. I have had some trouble finding some easy to follow instructions anyone have a lead?

[Fronkey]

Shazam!

This is the one pretty much everyone makes. Me included.

Fronkey

[streamline]

It takes some time, especially the first one, but the above link is great. I used a large piece of cardboard for a 1/4 template and slid a cutting pad around under the fabric while using a rotary cutter. The rotary cutter is a gift from god . . . just saying
I also found roll hemming the edges to be fairly easy versus adding weight of grossgrain but that's just me. Also I learned that I hate sewing on tie out loops lol, little stitch stop - little stitch stop - ergh!

[Jazilla]

My first project was a BlackCat Tarp. I still have it and it gets used when I camp with friends. Its a great tarp.

[Knotty]

The BlackCat instructions are great and have lots of detail. Even if you choose a different shape there's a lot you can learn from them. The one thing you can do to make the project a lot easier is forgo the cat cuts and just make it with straight sides. Good luck with your tarp!

[MrClockWork]

+1 on making a cardboard template. I just "measured" two pieces and after I had hemmed the edges and I was going to sew the RL I realized that I did a poor job measuring. My bottom corners lined up but one side of the RL was about 6" longer than the other. Just had to trip and re- hem so it wasn't a big deal but still a pain.

Sewing the RL isn't something to just take a stab at. Have a solid game play practice on some sraps if needed. Here is the one I just finished.

[Shepherd]

The fabric has arived maybe this weekend I will give it a go.
The cat cuts still have me a bit afraid

[lmoseley7]

When I made my first tarp I followed the Black Cat Tarp instructions in spirit, but not exactly. I didn't want to have to worry with my ridgeline also being a seam. Instead I decided to take one length of material and fold it in half long-ways. The fold then basically became my ridgeline. I then took the other piece of material and folded it in half and cut it on the fold. These two halves then were added to the other piece to form the rest of the sides. I haven't seen too many people do this, but I guess it would be similar to the way an ogee is put together. I haven't had this tarp out in any rain, but when I've used it, due to the size, the seams I have are outside of where my hammock hangs, so if it was to leak there it would drip away from me (hopefully). Eventually I will seam seal it, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Here is a pic to show you what I'm talking about. You'll see two seams, but neither is at the ridgeline.
IMG_0049.jpg

[MrClockWork]

The cat cuts still have me a bit afraid

They had me a little worried too but they weren't bad at all. I laid mine out with the string method. Mine weren't very deep so the hem wasn't hard. Mine didn't turn out to the cottage industry standard but I was happy with them.

Its a fun learning experience. I learned a good bit on how to make my next tarp much cleaner.

[bluefields181]

My first tarp, and only tarp thus far, was simply two pieces of fabric sewn together to make a 10x10 square. Flatt feld seam the two together and seam seal with a silicone/paint thinner mix. Now this could be your ridgeline or you could rotate 90 and minimalize the potential for chinesse water torture. Add your 4 corner tie outs, i recomend webbing loops because grommets add weight and weaken the material. Add 4 more tie outs, one per middle of the edges between the corners so now you have multiple suspending options. You can rock it A-frame style over the hammock when the weather hits, or spread it out diamond and enjoy the veiw while you drift off on a nice afternoon nap. As you use it the first couple times, you'll figure were more tie outs are or arn't needed and just what it is you're looking for in a tarp. Remember, all it's gotta do is keep the wind and rain offa ya. FYI, my next tarp is going to be a Black Cat