Embarking on a Tarp-Making Journey...

**SteelToe** · 08-10-2012, 23:30

I just finished gros-graining the perimeter of the tarp! Looking pretty good so far. Only a minor slipup on the first reinforcement triangle

1.) Sewed 'er on wrong side out, I ripped out the stitches and turned it around and tacked it back on...
2.) Realized that now the edge was turned out instead of over, and had to re-do that, too

After cursing my new-pidity for a good bit, I finished the other triangles without incident. Attaching the gros-grain was suprisingly easy, much better than I was expecting. I was under the impression a turned edge was not only lighter, but easier to do. The only thing was I wished I'd been able to find pre-folded gros-grain, since ironing it took as long as sewing it in place. It would also have been cool if the gros-grain matched the tarp (medium grey-green "foliage green"), but black matches everything and was what Joann's had in stock.

Now I just need to decide how long to make my tie-out webbings and tack them on. I may be done by noon tomorrow!

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**SteelToe** · 08-11-2012, 11:32

Just finished. I'll try to get pics up later today!

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**MAD777** · 08-11-2012, 15:28

I wouldn't know how to sew if it weren't for my seam ripper. It has a permanent position right next to my sewing machine.

**SteelToe** · 08-12-2012, 21:30

Thank God that's over...now to start on the next one!

I haven't bothered to attach guy lines to the D-rings, just stuck them to the ground with stakes, so it was bit narrow when I tried hanging in it. Not that it mattered much, it was about 105 outside today, so hanging was brief.

One minor tactical error on my part; I'd sewn up some Bishop bags with a separate external mesh pocket for storing the tarp-- based on my old Hennessey ultralight tarp. I'll need to rip that pocket out and make a larger one (no biggie).

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**Mundele** · 08-13-2012, 19:43

Nice. Catenary ridgeline?

**SteelToe** · 08-14-2012, 19:13

Nah, I just did cat cuts on the sides. I didn't have guy-outs tied on, so I just staked the D-rings to the dirt. Pulls it down more than it should, causing the tarp to conform to the hammock ridgeline underneath. I was trying really hard to get a "pretty-looking" tight tarp for the photo, probably won't' try so hard in practice

Those trees are also way too close, the ends of the tarp are at the tree huggers (tarp is tied to the trees separately in the photo). I should have used my (original) short Hennessey straps for this!

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**MAD777** · 08-14-2012, 19:45

That's a beautiful tarp!

**Shewie** · 08-14-2012, 20:12

Great end result, nice work

I've learnt a bunch in the last ten minutes reading this post, good stuff

**SteelToe** · 08-19-2012, 19:32

Just finished the second tarp! It was no faster, but way less nerve-wracking than the first one; I wasn't as afraid of ruining it at any instant the whole time

They're both hanging on my patio now, boiling off mineral spirits from the silicone solution I applied to the ridgelines. Man, that stuff is nasty, but it did seem to go on well enough. I really hope it actually cures, though. I've used GE II caulk in the past, and unless the tube is brand-spanking new, it has a bad habit of "curing" into petroleum jelly, leaving a huge mess. I made sure to get the newest tube I could find for this project, but I'm still gonna be apprehensive until tomorrow.

Quick question: Do ya'll typicall gros-grain the ridgeline? I've heard differing reports on whether it improves durability or strength. I opted not to since I've poked too many holes in the sil as it is.

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