DIY Hammock Sock for Hennessy Explorer

[UncleClark]

Before I went too far with this project I though I'd show a couple pics, share some notes and then see if anybody has any sage advice, opinions, etc. before I proceed?

I sewed a couple old flatsheets together to made a mock up to fit my Hennessy Explorer. I learned a bunch of stuff just making the mockup I though I'd share.

First pic is the entry side


Second pic is the non-entry side


Notes to self:
(1) Plan to use 60" wide rip stop nylon fabric?
(2) End openings are too small on mockup. Make them at least large enough to get your hand thru. I'm thinking of using drawstrings / cord locks for the ends.
(3)Zipper vs. Flap, etc - I think I'm going to use a #10 coil type zipper that follows the same curve as the Hennessy Explorer zipper. Exact length not important since I can buy a long coil of the stuff from someplace like Sailrite.com and cut to the length I want.
(4)Sew the zipper before closing the bottom!
(5)Reinforce the slits for the tie outs with bar tacking, overcast stitching or both
(6)Cut the mockup along the bottom and then use that as a pattern for the rip stop fabric. I did the mockup using all rectangular panels but I think the bottom panels will give a better fit if they are cut on a curve instead.

Any and all advice would be appreciated before I get too far into this.

[blackd]

Wow quite an undertaking, i like it! So far it all sounds good but i might recommend you make sure to use a breathable material at least for the bottom panel to help eliminate condensation and allow some air flow

[UncleClark]

Yes, I'm planning to use 1.1 breathable ripstop nylon with a #5 coil type zipper. The fabric and zipper is on order now so it may be a week or so before I make any further progress. Here I have the pattern pinned flat. When I get the fabric I'll drape if over the pattern, cut the fabric to match the pattern, and then sew it up. Hey, it's a science experiment

The hammock stands are really coming in handy for this project. I use those stands all the time for checking out function / fit on stuff before I go camping with it.

[2Tall]

Wow quite an undertaking, i like it! So far it all sounds good but i might recommend you make sure to use a breathable material at least for the bottom panel to help eliminate condensation and allow some air flow

I thought the bottom panel would need to be less breatheable and the top more. The bottlom blocking most of the draft. Im in the process of "creating" one aswell.



OP! Looks great! Wish looked that nice. :-)

[stalker42]

I agree. Wouldnt you want the top panel breathable and the bottem less so? The other way seems counter intuitive to me.

[UncleClark]

I agree. Wouldnt you want the top panel breathable and the bottem less so? The other way seems counter intuitive to me.

I was thinking like you, the top panel should be breathable but someone else suggested the opposite

For now I'm planning to take the easy way out and use breathable top and bottom. If that doesn't work out I can always cut the bottom off and replace it with a waterproof fabric. I"m planning to use a tarp in addition to the sock because we rarely get sub-zero weather here and will need rain protection.

[otter]

Great idea looks good I do agree on the breathable layers

[UncleClark]

I made a bit more progress this past week on my wind sock. The ripstop fabric has been sewed together, draped over my bedsheet pattern, slits cut for the hammock side pulls, and trimmed to match the pattern.

I still need to cut the side opening, sew in the zipper, and sew the bottom closed.

Here's a few more pics.

First pic - fabric draped over my pattern, backlit for cutting, bottom extensions not yet on

Second pic - left side cut, bottom extensions sewn on but not cut

Third pic - completely cut to match pattern still open at the bottom

Last pic - test hang on Hennessy Explorer hammock, bottom pinned closed, masking tape to indicate zipper location

[priller]

Looks great Uncle Clark!

[UncleClark]

Finished up my hammock sock today.

First pic - hammock sock on Hennessy Explorer hammock with sock opening unzipped.


Second pic - hammock sock all zipped up.


Last pic - close up of my sloppy sewing!

I laid the fabric on top of the zipper tape, then covered that with 3/8" grosgrain, then sewed that up. On the ends I sewed some nylon fabric rectangles.

It's too warm out today to test it but as soon as the cold returns I'm doing a test hang in my back yard.

The sock weighs about 10 oz. finished. I'd say half of that is the zipper.

I think all the materials costs me about $40.