Need Help with Making 8x8 Tarp

[SoCal Mike]

Does anyone have examples/instructions for making a square tarp?

I know that may sound silly, but read on…I have very little experience with DIY sewing projects, but I’m trying to do more.

I’m interested in making an 8x8 square tarp because I can’t seem to find anyone who makes them. The idea is that I can hang it in diamond formation over my hammock and in various shapes as needed when I sleep on the ground. I want to keep things as simple as possible but I also want to make it right.

My issues have to do with the ridgeline/seam. If I join two rectangles with a seam running lengthwise down the middle, this seam will be running from left to right, asymmetrically, when I hang the tarp in a diamond formation. Will this be a problem for putting too much stress on that seam?

Instead, should I join two triangles so the seam is a long ridgeline in diamond formation? But, if I then use this same tarp in an A-frame formation on the ground, I have a similar issue with the seam running cross-wise (again, asymmetrically) across the tarp. And, this would be more complicated in my opinion.

Or, does it simply not matter how I form the square tarp?

Any help or examples would be greatly appreciated!

SoCal Mike

[MAD777]

If you want the ridgeline running in the diagonal, you will need to buy 67" wide fabric. By the time you hem it, it will be 66" and that will give you a 7.75' x 7.75' tarp.

If you can find wider fabric, then it's doable.

Otherwise, you will need to run the ridgeline across the middle of the fabric, but I don't think that is what you are looking for.

[SoCal Mike]

If you want the ridgeline running in the diagonal, you will need to buy 67" wide fabric. By the time you hem it, it will be 66" and that will give you a 7.75' x 7.75' tarp.

If you can find wider fabric, then it's doable.

Otherwise, you will need to run the ridgeline across the middle of the fabric, but I don't think that is what you are looking for.

Thanks, Mike. I know you do a lot of DIY projects. Any idea if the holding strength would be effected if I did the seam between two rectangles but then hung the tarp diagonally? I'm worried that doing the seam in the short direction would be weak when the tarp is hung diagonally.

Michael

[gmcttr]

...Any idea if the holding strength would be effected if I did the seam between two rectangles but then hung the tarp diagonally? I'm worried that doing the seam in the short direction would be weak when the tarp is hung diagonally...

Some commercial tarp makers use this method...doesn't seem to be a problem.

Look at the seams on a Kelty Noah's 12x12 for another option.