Want to make my own

**willhang1** · 08-11-2012, 06:31

Hello,

I want to try my hand at making a hammock. I would greatly appreciate the advise of those who have done so. I am 6'1" 210 pounds. I would like to have a design that allows me so sleep as flat as possible. I have the Skeeter Beeter Pro, and it is a nice hammock and I have a system for a fairly flat lay. As Fall approaches, and the bugs go away, I want to make one of my own hammock with no bug net. Shug if you are out there? I know you made yours and I like the way it is designed. Any suggestions for me? Thanks All!

-Bill

**Les Rust** · 08-11-2012, 06:54

I made a 1.1 double layer using Scott's plans on DIYgearsupply. I like the lay of it better than the Grand Trunk Ultra I had or the ENO Double Nest that I have. I made mine about ten and a half feet even though I'm only about 5'9". You might want to explore the mini-spreader bar thread as well--seems like folks are having good results with that modification.

**gt7599a** · 08-11-2012, 07:06

I'll second that. Easy to make, comfortable & you'll be able to use a close cell foam (ccf) ground pad for warmer weather camping till you get/make an under quilt (UQ).

Ed

**MAD777** · 08-11-2012, 07:35

I am 10# lighter than you and find a single layer 1.4 oz fabric from www.DIYGearSuppy.com works fine. If you use a pad instead of underquilt, you will want to go with a double layer of 1.1 oz fabric.

I am the same height as you and believe an 11' long hammock to be ideal.

I make mine 54" wide because, as a hiker, I try to pack light and I don't think I lose any comfort. However, 60" width is more popular and some are wider still. For your first hammock, you may want to simply hem the edges of whatever width the fabric comes in.

Don't forget to heat treat all the edges of the fabric before you sew to melt the exposed fibers so they don't unravel.

If you have any question, don't hesitate to ask. And don't forget the obligatory picture when you are done!

**AtHomeDad** · 08-11-2012, 07:57

Warbonnet has a pretty good listing for the proper fabric weights for your weight. I tried to go ultra-light and was gravity fed to the ground. I have a 1.1 +Momentum 90 MR double, a 1.7 single, 1.7 double and a table cloth factory crinkle and like them all.

As an experiment on the last hammock, I cut the ends of my fabric on an angle, so the sides were 4" shorter than the middle. I then sewed a channel to gather the end and then whipped the ends by pulling the end even. This gives additional fabric to the middle that removed the knee line in the center. I will be including this in all future hammocks.

I like the longer hammocks (10.5' or 11). I am 6' even 215 pounds.

**Roadrunnr72** · 08-11-2012, 09:00

If you do a search, you can find Knottys threads on gathered end hammocks. I made a stretch side, I believe that I started with about a 12ft length, ended up being 131 inches, from knot to knot. It is the best hammock I have used, and now my go to hammock. It is made from 1.1 material, and is a double layer. I am 6'2" and about 235lbs.

**willhang1** · 08-11-2012, 10:09

Thank you everyone, I appreciate all the input. I like the idea of the double, and sliding the pad between. I also am courious as to the angle cut on the gathered end to keep the sides tight. Lots to think about, and much appreciated, my tree hanging, hammock loving blood brothers and sisters.