First DIY hammock

[kingbee]

I'm typing this on my laptop while laying in my first DIY hammock, and in fact my first sewing project of any kind. I picked up some 1.9 ripstop at Joann's last week, and last night, with some help from my wife, I got the body made. Today I whipped the ends, added the shock cord to the sides a la Knotty, and hung it from the eye bolts in my office/man cave. I like the way it lays- very comfy for me, though I haven't slept in it yet- will tonight though.

Some observations regarding size: I made this one the somewhat standard 10' 6" long, by approx 58" wide. My first hammock, the one I sleep in a couple nights a week, is made from a queen size sheet. It measures 7' 6" long, and about 7' wide. I really don't feel much difference between the 2 other than the sheet fabric is nicer on the skin. They're both super comfortable to me, I guess the extra width makes up for the shorter length. By contrast, my GTUL is just too small for me (6', 190) to sleep in comfortably, though it makes a super lounging hammock.

Anyway, the DIY bug's got me- next up is a stuff sack with the cutoffs, then a bug net, and who knows what after that?

Thanks go out to all who've posted their ideas and wisdom here.

Cheers,
Dave

[Catavarie]

Careful with the DIY, its a virtual pandora's box.

Oh and forum rules, pics or it didn't happen.

[gargoyle]

I use a cotton blend fabric for my indoor hang. Yes it does feel better against the skin.
Nylon is the prferred choice for outdoors obviously.

Congrats and happy (indoor) hanging.

[Knotty]

You know what we always say...pics or it didn't happen.

Congrats on your first DIY hammock.

[kingbee]

I use a cotton blend fabric for my indoor hang. Yes it does feel better against the skin.
Nylon is the prferred choice for outdoors obviously.

Congrats and happy (indoor) hanging.

The sheet hammock I made (which I don't count as a "real" DIY since there wasn't any sewing involved) used a polyester microfiber sheet from Wal-Mart- no cotton but still nice on the skin. I'll probably hang it back up after I've finished messing with this one; I made an adjustable ridgeline and finding the optimum length requires much exhaustive testing

I'm hoping I'll get home early enough tomorrow to take it out into the yard and hang it between some trees- photos then I promise.

Cheers,
Dave