Advice on making a DIY hammock

**ADVWannabe** · 06-27-2012, 09:52

I have an ENO single nest hammock and am thinking about getting the double nest. I have yet to spend the night in the single nest but anticipate the need for a wider hammock as I am 6' 2" and 220 lbs. But going the DIY route looks like fun and might save some money. So I have a few questions listed below:

What size hammock should I make width and height wise? I have seen some people say the ENOs are a little short, so should I go longer?

What fabric should I use? DIY Gear Supply has 1.1, 1.4 and 1.9 oz ripstop
nylons. I am not a gram weenie but wouldn't mind keeping size and weight down without sacrificing strength too much.

My wife has a thread injector but is not a real expert on it. What kind of stitch and thread should I use?

Thanks, I am sure I will be back with more questions.

**wwk10** · 06-27-2012, 11:26

Re size: Wider allows more of a diagonal lay. Fabric usually comes 60" wide so I made my hammock 60" wide less a small hemmed edge. From memory, my length is 10'.
I used 1.9 bc that is what Hancock Fabric carries, but many people use 1.1.
My sewing skills are lacking. Hems dont look good when they are not straight, but they work.
I bought Coats and Clarks thread and had issues (which may have been coincidental) Most people here recommend Guttermans. I bought Guttermans and have been happy.

**gmcttr** · 06-27-2012, 11:42

I would recommend a double layer 1.1 or a single layer 1.9 ripstop.

DIY Gear is an excellent supplier. Get a spool of Gütermann Mara 70 thread while you're there. It is a very good polyester thread. A normal straight stitch is all you need. I suggest about 10-12 stitches per inch but you have room for a lot of variation.

**flipflop** · 06-27-2012, 14:23

I am new to hammocks and after a good season (hopefully) with my Double-nest I might make my own hammock over the winter.

I had the same questions as you, and found the following page at Warbonnet Outdoors to be pretty helpful for material selection.

They are a vendor who makes their own hammocks, but provide that info to help you decide on hammock construction, and it seems relevant to any hammock making process.

http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/hammocking101.php

**Fish<><** · 06-27-2012, 20:57

Crinkle taffeta tablecloth. There is a lot of info on this forum recently raving these things. I am currently waiting on the ok from the wife to get my 2.(one of each size) I am also 6'2" and I plan on using the big one for home comfort and the smaller one for backpacking. Oh one last thing, each cloth is less than $20

**ADVWannabe** · 06-28-2012, 06:36

Thanks for the advice so far. Anyone have any suggestions on size of the hammock?

**Morgoroth** · 06-28-2012, 07:36

I'm 6'4" and 240 and I have a 13' by 90" table cloth hammock.
It's unnecessarily large, but you can always make it shorter by moving the larks-headed AmSteel in a few inches. (If you have a whipped end.)
Or you could use the extra to make a bag for it.

As a disclaimer, I have to say that I have not taken it camping yet, but its pretty sweet for lounging around the yard.

**alrany187** · 06-28-2012, 09:56

ADVWannabe,

If you are going with DIY Gear Supply and I heartily support that idea. In the breathable fabric section, they have 2 hammock blanks. The standard is 60x126 and the XL is 90x132. I am 5'11" and 220 lbs. If you want to go DIY, this is the way to go.

I have an ENO SingleNest that I used before my DIY hammock and could never get totally comfortable in it. I bought the standard blank and it was instant luxury. If you want, you can whip the ends for hanging, that is what I did. (Didn't want to wait for the wife to add me to her sewing schedule), added a 99.6" SRL and I was golden.

Just so you know, the DoubleNest is the same length as the SingleNest, so you wouldn't be adding any length, just width. I think you'll find more comfort with a longer length.

Regards,

Ellis